2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Reading the wire diagrams

[GAmes]

I know, I always have the weird, never heard of that before, problems.



This time I have no electricity going to any of the lights on the bed other than turn and brakes. The front parking lights, instrument lights, and cab lights work. No side markers, tail lights or license plate lights. I've checked all the wires under the truck and under the hood, so I'm sure the break is at a junction under the dash. Anyone else ever had this happen?



Also, can anyone tell me how to decipher the Dodge manual wiring diagrams? Specifically, how to figure out where C129 is located or any other connector listed in the series.



I'm going to be tackling this in ernest starting Tuesday when I get home, so any help is appreciated.



Gary

 

[GaryOwen]

Had the same problem on my 03 a few months ago. It was a broken wire under the truck near the rear axle.



It was in a wire loom and the insulation had a small slit about half way around. No apparent reason for the slit. I think it had corroded at the split insulation. I just started at the back and stripped the insulation at several places, used a test light, and continued working my way toward the front of the truck. I wouldn't have noticed it with just a visual inspection. I doubt this helps, but I know how frustrating the problem can be.



Good Luck!



Gary

 

[GAmes]

I'm going to go back and re-check the wire harness under the truck, I may have been testing the wrong wire color. I'm going to jump some power to it and make sure the lights come on. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Bob4x4]

Look up under the cab near the front cab mount on the drivers side. I beleive you will find a connector there for the frame wiring. IIRC the running lights should be black with yellow tracer



Bob

 

[PRattenbury]

I just had that happen to me on my 94. Black wire with yellow tracer was broken behind the light switch in the dash. Took quite a while to trace it down, but the wire diagrams were a must to get it done.

 

[Joe G.]

Gary,



There is a connector near the front body mounting pad under the truck. The contacts in that connector can corrode and cause that problem.

 

[GAmes]

Thanks Joe, I know about that connector, it was the first place I looked.



Prior to the failure I had an intermittant problem of blowing the tail light fuse. It only happened while driving in rain or snow, and then, not all the time. I searched in vain to find a wire shorting out against the frame. Would a bad splice cause that?



After extensive testing I have determined that the break is at splice 106, which I believe is just forward of the firewall and under the cowl. I have no desire to try to unwrap that wire bundle. My thought is to splice (put a jumper in) into the trailer light wire at the plug that Joe mentioned. It is accessible and unused because I have my trailer lights on a toggle switch. Does anyone see a problem doing it that way? My only concern is the broken wire inside that wire bundle, but it is not a huge concern. The other option is to bypass all the wires along the frame and tie into the tail light wires at the rear of the truck.



Thanks for all the comments so far.

 

[john colgan]

Gary,

I just happen to be looking through my 96 FSM for an electrical problem. In my manual, starting on page 8W-70 has all the splice info, and page 8W-90 has all the connector/ground locations. Hope this helps.



John

 

[GAmes]

Thanks John, that is what I was asking for. After paging a little father to 8W-95 it also shows the location of the splices! Excellent.



On edit; It looks like splice 106 is behind the left headlight, not where I thought it was. After this T-storm passes I'll take a close look at it.



Thanks again.



Gary