Attention: TDR Forum Junkies To all the experts,
I have an 05 4dr and I decided that it needed EGT & Boost gages so I can monitor critical engine performance. Sounds basic enough; I have installed gages in most of my other vehicles and never had any trouble(like I have this time). Most people are intimidated by drilling holes in manifolds and firewalls, but not me. I had both off, drilled-tapped and reinstalled in less than one hour. The problem occured when I pulled the thermocouple harness and boost line through the firewall. I hate to drill holes that are not needed; I looked under the dash for an existing hole and decided that the grommet occupied by the hood release cable would suit my needs. Just as in my other projects, I reached for a short piece of welding rod; it's rigid enough to skirt alongside the hood release cable, but flexible enough to bend and pull out the front side of the firewall. Sounds great in theory. Before I go any further, I will admit foregoing one of the first steps of the install; DISCONNECT THE BATTERY(IES) before beginning (the ignition was off, aint that good enuff???). That being said, I carefully inspected the area prior to pulling the bundle through the firewall and felt that there was plenty of clearance and could see nothing that would interfere. I began pulling the bundle with minimal effort and the pre-crimped ends on the thermocouple harness and boost line came through with no problem; HOWEVER, I accidentally made contact with the anti-skid pump and the welding rod grounded briefly. How on earth could this happen? I immediately returned under the dash and looked for what I had touched that had power, but I could not find anything. I have now lost several items that somewhat important: Speedo, HVAC panel is dead (Blower still works) cruise control and back-up lights. I have the factory service manual and cannot find a common thread among these items. All fuses in the PCM are good, I checked them with an ohm meter. I don't want to go to Dodge and admit my stupidity until I have to. I am hoping that there's a guru here that can give me some ideas. I know I'm the only one dumb enough to have done this assinine stunt. Thanks in advance for any help.
J. Garrett IV
c130ife
p. s. feel free to laugh; I can now - my therapist said it's good for the soul
ha-ha
I have an 05 4dr and I decided that it needed EGT & Boost gages so I can monitor critical engine performance. Sounds basic enough; I have installed gages in most of my other vehicles and never had any trouble(like I have this time). Most people are intimidated by drilling holes in manifolds and firewalls, but not me. I had both off, drilled-tapped and reinstalled in less than one hour. The problem occured when I pulled the thermocouple harness and boost line through the firewall. I hate to drill holes that are not needed; I looked under the dash for an existing hole and decided that the grommet occupied by the hood release cable would suit my needs. Just as in my other projects, I reached for a short piece of welding rod; it's rigid enough to skirt alongside the hood release cable, but flexible enough to bend and pull out the front side of the firewall. Sounds great in theory. Before I go any further, I will admit foregoing one of the first steps of the install; DISCONNECT THE BATTERY(IES) before beginning (the ignition was off, aint that good enuff???). That being said, I carefully inspected the area prior to pulling the bundle through the firewall and felt that there was plenty of clearance and could see nothing that would interfere. I began pulling the bundle with minimal effort and the pre-crimped ends on the thermocouple harness and boost line came through with no problem; HOWEVER, I accidentally made contact with the anti-skid pump and the welding rod grounded briefly. How on earth could this happen? I immediately returned under the dash and looked for what I had touched that had power, but I could not find anything. I have now lost several items that somewhat important: Speedo, HVAC panel is dead (Blower still works) cruise control and back-up lights. I have the factory service manual and cannot find a common thread among these items. All fuses in the PCM are good, I checked them with an ohm meter. I don't want to go to Dodge and admit my stupidity until I have to. I am hoping that there's a guru here that can give me some ideas. I know I'm the only one dumb enough to have done this assinine stunt. Thanks in advance for any help.
J. Garrett IV
c130ife
p. s. feel free to laugh; I can now - my therapist said it's good for the soul
ha-ha
Luckily, it only melted the hose and didn't short anything. That was just to help make you fell better about what you did 
:-laf
