I have an electrical problem that for the life of me, I can't figure out.
The run-down:
The stereo, dome lights, power mirrors and cargo light are all inop. Checked for power and voltage for everything inop and this is where it gets weird. They all have a good ground at the proper place, but I'm reading power on ground at all points listed. Basically, where there should be 12v DC, I'm reading to ground. It all started after I replaced the front and rear bumpers, disconnected the trailer light wiring bracket that holds the actual socket for the lights from the bumper and replaced both batteries. Checked all the fuses, none were blown. EXCEPT the 40 amp block fuse in the power distribution panel in the engine bay. Replaced it with a new one, and it hasn't blown since.
I disconnected the wiring from the entire back-end of the truck, but the problem was still there (thinking since the trailer wiring fuse was blown, that would be the problem). Everything else works fine, the alternator charges as it's supposed to, and the batteries are not draining.
I need to get some in-depth wiring diagrams, but can't find any. The ones in the back of the haynes manual are generic and not system-specific. There's got to be a common point they all connect to, but I can't find it without a good diagram (or a bunch of time to tear into it, which I don't have). There's no flickering of the lights, or anything that would indicate a loose connection. And the strange part is: how is the power side reading to ground if nothing else is wrong? Seems to me a fuse would be blown if something was shorting out.
So, does anybody have a detailed wiring diagram of dodges (specifically a '98) they could get me? Or maybe a good source of where to get one? My factory manual only goes to '96, but doesn't include diesels. Thanks in advance if you can help!!!
i would look into a fsm you can get them at genos garage
i wish i could help but all i have got is an 01 manual and no way to scan anything .... and explaining it is not going to happen you kinda need to see it
If you get some time and wouldn't mind, could you give a quick glance to see if they connect to a common point? I just need more of an idea of where to start than anything. There's a lot of wiring behind the dash and some of it requires a lot of stuff to be removed. Trying not to do that if I don't have to (but I have a feeling I probably will).
With everything, I took the connector off and checked the power pin. For my stereo, it's easy. The pioneer adapter has a tag on the yellow wire which is supposed to be 12v at all times from the battery. The dome light only has 2 pins, both of which are reading ground. Same with the power mirrors.
i will try and look for you one night this week .... the fsm is 2889 pages long and i have not looked through ti much yet to see where everything is at in it
In the 97' FSM there is a fuse in the power distribution center under the hood. Fuse 17 runs all the things you mentioned, it's a 15 amp fuse. I'll look in the 99' FSM in a few minutes.
well thats strange i know that circuit for the radio also feeds a lot of other stuff in these truck the wiring is kinda strange ..... i have a feeling you have a Short somewhere between the fuse panel and that radio
If it's the one I'm thinking, I checked it and it wasn't blown. Strange again. One thing to note, the power mirrors have a circuit breaker, but it's non-resettable. The push-in blade type.
Mopar, I too feel I have a short. But I'm thinking it's between the power panel under the hood and the fusebox. And thanks in advance for checking. At $99 from Geno's, they certainly aren't cheap. But in situations like this, they're good to have.
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