The horn blows in 2004 Ranger when I turn on the lights, the wiper washer stars spraying "fluid." I pulled the horn fuse and then the running lights wouldn't go off, so I simply disconnected the "horn." The windshield washer still comes on when I turn on the lights and runs its cycle
I suspect a short, but where do I start looking?

 

Hi and welcome.
Usually, if there is a short circuit it will ,usually, blow a fuse providing the current draw is larger than the fuse protecting the circuit.
I would suspect for starters, that there may be a poor ground connection in the system.
You might try checking all the ground connections you can find from the battery negative terminal on to all the sheet metal of the vehicle.
What may be happening is the lighting system may be using the windshield washer system for one of it's ground connections.
There is always the possibility of a wiring problem in the wiring on the steering column. I would check all the ground connections first. Checking them means loosening, cleaning them and reinstalling them. They are usually around the headlight area or around the radiator supports. Best to check them all.