my truck caught fire

[RonChapman]

What is causing this problem, is Chrysler in their wisdom eliminated a 40 amp relay from the A/C blower circuit in '03 and wired 10 gauge wires directly through the ignition switch. In my case ,although the truck did'nt catch fire ,the terminal burned off after about 60k and the blower quit. It took me a while to track down the problem and I'm sure the dealer would have charged me a couple of hrs. labor plus a couple of hundred for a new ignition switch. For $12. I bought and installed a Chrysler 40 amp relay and it now works and is protected the way it should have been in the first place.

 

[CDonaldson]

I find all of this interesting, especially since Chrysler has extended my warranty on the multifunction switch to 150K. There have been many discussions about the multifunction switch causing turn signal problems, but in many to most all of those discussions no one has mentioned if they use their steering wheel adjustment on a regular basis???



After reading this thread, I went out to my truck, crawled under my dash on the drivers side, and worked the steering wheel adjustment up/down several times. There are several wires, couple of small harnesses, that get REAL STRESSED and TAUGHT when the steering wheel is in a couple d ifferent positions to include the harness to the multifunction switch . .



That said, maybe the problem has not gone away regarding it being a possibility of a wiring interference rather than it being a bad switch????



I made sure that my usual steering position was not one of those that caused any stress or interference. I suggest others take a good look at this too. There may be another set of problems being totally ignored here, and Chrysler could be in more trouble than they actually know. My truck goes up in flames and I will be a big-time instigator of all this being resolved and everyone getting a recall for this serious safety issue.



CD

 

[rjones]

yeh well i causght mine before a serious fire ... but the harness plug is shot and its rigged at the moment since dodge wont sell the plug and terminals by them self and wants 499 bux for a new harness... ... . it going to have to do

 

[EricBu12]

Just now saw this thread. . would this affect the 09's?

Haven't looked under the dash yet, Am I looking for a connector on the column? or what?

 

[Elite1]

I have had this same issue, although no fire. The rectangular plastic harness plug, on the left side of the steering column (when you are sitting in the driver's seat), has melted some and the fan has intermittently worked. Replaced the plug once, a few years ago, but it is now acting up again. An electrical repair shop is suggesting to drill out the harness, for the problem wire,
and solder it together... thoughts???

 

[rbattelle]

I have had this same issue, although no fire. The rectangular plastic harness plug, on the left side of the steering column (when you are sitting in the driver's seat), has melted some and the fan has intermittently worked. Replaced the plug once, a few years ago, but it is now acting up again. An electrical repair shop is suggesting to drill out the harness, for the problem wire,
and solder it together... thoughts???

I agree with the electrical shop. As an aside, do you happen to tilt the steering wheel regularly?

-Ryan

 

[Killer223]

thread resurrection!!!!
my i'll ad to the info. my 3rd position on my blower doesn't work. all else looks good..

 

[Wayne M.]

Honda had a recall for door wiring in the first gen Fit's a couple years ago. Part of the urgent message was not to park the vehicle in a garage as a fire precaution!

I missed this thread, so thanks for dredging it up. I'm going in to have a look. I don't tilt my wheel hardly ever.

 

[Elite1]

I agree with the electrical shop. As an aside, do you happen to tilt the steering wheel regularly?

-Ryan

I wouldn't say a lot, pretty much keep it in one position...

 

[EDankievitch]

The Key switch controls everything including the power supply for the Blower motor in the 3rd gen trucks over time the connections in the plug connector loosen up and will burn out. RAM has a plug kit to repair this it's a bit of a pain as you need to do one wire at a time.

 

[seafish]

The Key switch controls everything including the power supply for the Blower motor in the 3rd gen trucks over time the connections in the plug connector loosen up and will burn out. RAM has a plug kit to repair this it's a bit of a pain as you need to do one wire at a time.

Never heard about that...by any chance do you have a part# for the repair kit ??

 

[rbattelle]

I wouldn't say a lot, pretty much keep it in one position...

Ah well, I was hoping there might be a correlation. Many years ago someone suggested there might be.

-Ryan

 

[p-Bar]

Just like our doors ! Crappy wire

 

[EDankievitch]

What is causing this problem, is Chrysler in their wisdom eliminated a 40 amp relay from the A/C blower circuit in '03 and wired 10 gauge wires directly through the ignition switch. In my case ,although the truck did'nt catch fire ,the terminal burned off after about 60k and the blower quit. It took me a while to track down the problem and I'm sure the dealer would have charged me a couple of hrs. labor plus a couple of hundred for a new ignition switch. For $12. I bought and installed a Chrysler 40 amp relay and it now works and is protected the way it should have been in the first place.

Question where did you install this 40 amp relay that Chrysler removed?

 

[EDankievitch]

Here's the part number for the Key switch 14 pin plug and terminal kit. This kit allows you to replace the plug and extend the wiring harness from the truck to the Key switch.
MOPAR part number 5183441AA
it's not cheap but it's the only way to fix the harness. When you install this kit you need to replace the key switch also as you'll find it's burnt also. Also use die electric grease in the plug.

 

[Drewhenry]

WOW!

I guess I need to crawl under the dash and have a look-see. I just replaced a trashed blower motor on my '04. Never smelled anything hot-like hot plastic. I have about 222K miles. I do not change the position/tilt of my SW more often than once or twice every couple years, but this is great information. Another reason I keep my subscription to TDR,cuz likely not gonna be told by anyone else.

Andy B

 

[EDankievitch]

WOW!

I guess I need to crawl under the dash and have a look-see. I just replaced a trashed blower motor on my '04. Never smelled anything hot-like hot plastic. I have about 222K miles. I do not change the position/tilt of my SW more often than once or twice every couple years, but this is great information. Another reason I keep my subscription to TDR,cuz likely not gonna be told by anyone else.

Andy B

You need to remove the cover in the steering column everything is in the top of the steering column