2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Electrical problems, Interior lights, CD player, all non functioning, need help!

[Taz]

This just happened to me today. I haven't begun the diagnosis process yet. But here is what happened.



After starting the truck (which I'm currently having problems with, something with the solenoid, still troublshooting it) my CD player (aftermarket) stopped working, my compass and thermo. over head console has gone haywire, interior lights don't work, and key buzzer doesn't work. I had a chance to check the fuses and so far non are blown. I'm about to break out the heater and go outside and check some more. I just hope it hasn't got my CD player and my AMP.



Has anyone got any ideas?





[rant] Man I have to say, I wish I could get a cummins engine in a ford or chevy. Everytime I turn around I'm having problems with "dodge" related crap. Man everything but the engine on this truch and parts of the drive train just plain sucks[/rant]



Ok out to go work on the truck.

 

[Taz]

I checked every fuse I could find in the interior panel on the drivers side and those in the box under the hood. Every fuse, including the ones on my Amp, are fine.



Tomorrow I'm going to pull the CD player out and check the fuses on it as well.



I pulled the cover on the overhead interor light, bulb was fine. I stuck a meter to the connectors on the light and there is nothing there, no voltage. So the interior lights are not getting any power; but their fuse is fine.



I am puzzled as to what has happened. My CD player turns on, but no sound and it willl not eject the CD. The overhead compass and thermo. is acting very wierd reporting incorrect temperatures and displaying a "5C" on the screen where the digit for the temperature usually is displayed (note the "C" is not the degree symbol)

 

[Joe G.]

One thing you really need is a service manual. Trouble shooting something like without one is really tough. I would say check the ground, but there is more than one ground to the overhead console. There is a connector (C338) above the headliner that may be a problem if someone has been working up there. The pins are: 1 - panel dimmer, 2 headllamps on/off input, 3 - unused, 4 air temp sensor (return), 5 air temp sensor (Temp+), 6 - courtesy door switch ground, 7- B+ (key on), 8 - unused, 9 - compass ground, 10 - unused, 11 - ground, 12 & 13 B+ (at all times) lamps. I have no idea what could be wrong with an aftermarket CD player. There is overhead console information and trouble shooting diagnosis in section 8C of the service manual. One thing I have found is that stock Dodge wiring has never given me any trouble. 228K miles on mine so far.

 

[Taz]

I have a 1996 Service manual, but my truck is a 1995



It's odd, there are lots of things wrong on the truck. cd player, interior lights, and overheard compass.

 

[Joe G.]

Has some previous owner been messing with the wiring?

 

[Taz]

Previous owner was my dad. He didn't mess with it.





We bought the truck in 1997 used. Only thing that has been done wiring wise is the CB was installed and I installed my stereo.

 

[Joe G.]

I was wondering about such stuff as added marker lights and using t-taps for wiring connections.



Your '96 manual should work except for the transmission and "cute" goodies like temp and compass stuff. Take a look at section 8C and see if the overhead console connector pin connections are the same or nearly the same as I posted above. If they are then you should be able to use the wiring diagrams in section 8W-49 to help you troubleshoot that stuff.

 

[Taz]

Thanks! I will take a look at it tomorrow.



No little T connectors, I hate those thing. Everything I have installed I have soldered and heatshrink wrapped.

 

[Taz]

In the manual I have section 8C is the charging system?

 

[Joe G.]

8B is the charging system in my '95 manual. There should be a section called "OVERHEAD CONSOLE" just after it or close. If not, then maybe your '96 manual has too many differences in the wiring diagrams to work for you.

 

[kstehnacs]

accesories inop

Aftet you start the truck, wiggle the key up and down and forwards and backwards. Don't turn it from the run position, just kind of jiggle it around. It sounds like you may have a bad ignition switch.

 

[Taz]

kstehnacs... . I'm starting to think the same thing. I just found out my power mirrors do not work either. Power locks and windows still work.



I just hope and pray my CD player and Amp are ok (the two most expensive affected components).

 

[Taz]

Tried the wiggle with the ignition switch. . No luck. I got the CD player pulled out of the truck. About to try and supplly a drect power source to it and see what happens.

 

[Taz]

Ok... I just got the CD player hooked to a DC source. It's screwed..... doing the same thing that it was in the truck.



What on earth could have cause this? It's almost like I got hit by an EMP pulse, none of the fuses are blown. The fuse running to the CD player is a very small one too, it's a 1amp inline fuse that is seperate from the truck fuses.



Seeing that this is gone, I image the overhead console is toast and maybe the rest of the stuff too.



I have to say this has got to be the strangest thing I have ever happen to any of my vehicles!

 

[Taz]

Fixed! Found out everythign that was going haywire was associated with Fuse #17



Turned out to be the overhead map lights causeing the problem. Apparently shorting out and poping the #17 fuse. On first inpsection the fuse didn't apear to be blown (it's the fuse with that funky plastic thing around it). CD player is also ok!