Taking the plunge

Wierd : head scratching : When the ignition switch is turned to on a full row of fuse slots become hot. That one blowing fuse may have other things on it than just the instrument panel. I kinda wonder if the reverse lights are on that fuse. Those wires are routed with the brown ground wire to the neutral safety switch. That brown wire can prevent the relay "click" just as easy as the yellow relay positive wire can. A wiring diagram would be a great help.
Otherwise you would need to leave that fuse out and hunt anything and everything that doesn't get power. Hang in there , you'll whip it. I got faith in you :)