Archived What The "BLEEP" Did I Blow Electrically??

[RHestand]

Yesterday, doing something as simple as prying out a burned out lamp in my overhead map light, I've blown a circuit (Fuse or ?) that disabled my seat belts, the three ceiling lights, under hood light, and radio/clock.

I was sitting in the truck with the radio on and the door shut but not latched. (So there was now power to the int. lights. ) As I'm leaning over, prying the lamp out I accidentally kneed the door open. My screwdriver tip was touching a hot to a ground and "Zip", the radio went dead.

I'm thinking no big deal, "I've got plenty of fuses. "

I then pulled the fuse cover at the drivers door and pulled and checked all the relevant fuses, and none were blown. I then replaced all those fuses with new ones, and still no fix?? The only one I can't get out to check is #12. (#12= Fuse cover diagram says:"10A--I. O. D" Owners manual says: "15 amp--Airbag Diagnostic Module, Cluster,Message Center. " It has some kind of plastic guard on it that won't let it come all the way out. How do I get the darn guard off?

Also the fuse lay-out diagram on the fuse box cover from the drivers door side does not match the one in the owners manual?

Can anyone help me on this? What am I missing? I can't even pull my seat belts out and I'm getting ready make my 2500 mi. trip back to CA. This is very frustrating!

Any help will be very much appreciated.

TIA, Ray

PS- I also checked the under-hood Electrical Power Distribution Center to no avail.

 

[NGuzik]

I just had the same problem, if I remember correctly just pull it like a regular fuse and replace. . At least in my case it brought everything back to life. .

 

[BGlidewell]

I guess this is why pulling the battery cables is the first step in every list. (joking)

 

[mwilson]

I guess this is why pulling the battery cables is the first step in every list. (joking)

I do a lot of electrical work, but I still screw up on occasion. In a hurry yesterday trying to load up for a week away with the camper, decided to chuck a new battery in. I use Group 31 batteries as I have a plentiful supply of them at work. I am going to estimate that at least 50% of the batteries that are turned in as cores are fine. We slow charge and test the good looking ones and are rewarded with a never ending supply for our personal use.

So back to yesterday. Set the battery in place, never even thought to look at the markings. Dropped the cables on, big spark... ... . wife says "How come the lights just went out?"... ...

Crap, blew the fuse.

It can happen fast when you are not paying attention (like me)... ... ...



Mike.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I believe everything you lost the IOD fuse supplies power to.

 

[RHestand]

I believe everything you lost the IOD fuse supplies power to.

Thanks guys, it's all back to normal now. Also, like Missouri Mule said it was the #12, IOD fuse. The one I finally got out this morning. I just had to commit to saying "If it breaks, it breaks. " and pried it out. I don't know why Dodge would put an obstacle like that plastic guard in the fuse box.
Now I have to find out if the fuse menu on the inside of my fuse cover is the correct one. It's completely different from what it shows in my owners manual.
If I could get one of you guys to check and compare yours with mine I would appreciate it.
I'll give my cavity #s one through twelve. If you would, check and see if yours are the same.
Cavity #1= Park Lmp
" #2= Blower Mtr
" #3=ABS/RWAL
" #4=POR AMP
" #5=Illum.
" #6=Wiper
" #7=Back-up LP
" #8=Radio
" #9=Engine
" #10=Flasher
" #11=Ignition FD
" #12= IOD
TIA, Ray

 

[BGlidewell]

glad to read you got it sorted!

 

[BGlidewell]

I do a lot of electrical work, but I still screw up on occasion. In a hurry yesterday trying to load up for a week away with the camper, decided to chuck a new battery in. I use Group 31 batteries as I have a plentiful supply of them at work. I am going to estimate that at least 50% of the batteries that are turned in as cores are fine. We slow charge and test the good looking ones and are rewarded with a never ending supply for our personal use.
So back to yesterday. Set the battery in place, never even thought to look at the markings. Dropped the cables on, big spark... ... . wife says "How come the lights just went out?"... ...
Crap, blew the fuse.
It can happen fast when you are not paying attention (like me)... ... ...

Mike.

A wise man once told me "those who never make mistakes are the same people who never do anything. "



After working for a phone co. where they never shut off the power, I sometimes... no make that almost never work on stuff "not hot".
-Sparky

 

[Sticks]

Yeah, Steering column, Starters and Alternators are about the only thing I will disconnect the batteries for.

That plastic cover on the IOD - Air Bag CM is why. Air bags are finiky, and odd things will make them go off when working on their circuits.

 

[BGlidewell]

True that, I would HATE to get hit by one hunched over the dash too not including the $$$ to replace them.

 

[John - K5AWO]

I think that if I were to mess with that IOD fuse, I would disconnect the batteries first.
Air Bags flying around are expensive... .

 

[HHhuntitall]

I think that if I were to mess with that IOD fuse, I would disconnect the batteries first.

Air Bags flying around are expensive... .

Yeah, Steering column, Starters and Alternators are about the only thing I will disconnect the batteries for.



That plastic cover on the IOD - Air Bag CM is why. Air bags are finiky, and odd things will make them go off when working on their circuits.

Not only are they expensive, they'll knock the crap out of you..... I was working at installing a CB Radio. Was holding the steering wheel bracing myself while working under the dash kick panel. I still don't know how they heck I did it, but after the radio slapped me in the head, slammed my head into the seat, and then busted the back window, I now like to disconnect the batteries when working in the region of the air bags..... And for anyone that would like to know, superglue should not be used in the vicinity of the eyes to suture shut splits to the face..... The radio still worked fine... .....

 

[BGlidewell]

Good story HH sounds like one of mine. Don't stand under the 6" limb of a tree you are pruning with a power pole pruner...

I think the fuel pump in a gasoline powered vehicle is another area where I would disco the batteries

 

[HHhuntitall]

... . yeah, but I didn't have a power trimmer under the dash... .