Toyota Repair: blowing signal light fuse, light fuse, fuse box

Question
Hello Mr. Ritter!
I have a lovely 1989 Toyota truck extended cab (no extra doors) 5 speed manual.

The 10A signal light fuse keeps popping.  At first, I thought it was just a regular change out.
When I first went to change the fuse, I put the key in the ignition (to listen to the radio while I worked), and when I touched the casing of the fuse box, it popped immediately.  Second time around, I did not have the key in the ignition, and replaced the fuse.  However, as soon as I turned the key, the fuse popped instantly.

I'm handy in a basic way, and can handle a screwdriver and a wrench, but beyond that....

This is the FIRST time every I've had problems with this great little truck, at 230,000 km.

thanks, I look forward to your answer.

(ps) I don't mind taking it in to the repair shop either, but if I can direct them where to look..

(pps) as an aside, for about a year, the ignition doesn't always 'click' off when the key is removed, and the buzzer stays on.  A slight touch with my finger will click it to the 'off' position.  As well, the starter sometimes 'wrrrrrrs' without catching for two or three turns.  Although somewhat annoying, to date it hasn't hampered the function or use of the vehicle, though upon reflection, maybe this is somehow causing the fuse to go.

Answer
No, they have nothing to do with the turn signal fuse, fuses blow because there is excessive current going through them, ie: short to ground. The most common place is in the rear at the tail lights, disconnect the rear tail lights on both sides completely from the wire harness, then put in a new fuse and see if it pops, if no the problem is there in the rear, remove all the bulbs from the sockets and check the sockets for any signs of shorting out, any burned marks. With a good fuse in and the key on connect one of the tail lights assemblies back on to the harness then the other one, if the fuse is still intact start putting bulbs back in, make sure they match the sockets, each step check the fuse to see when it blows, when it does the last thing you did is the cause of the problem, by the way if it has a trailer hich wiring connector disconnect it completely as well as they are a common cause for problems. If the fuse blows with all the rear lights and the trailer harness disconnected the the problem is up forn, check the bulbs and wiring in the front turn signals, use the same process of elimination.