1989 Dodge Dakota many electrical components suddenly inop

Tiny
SCOOTER567
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 DODGE DAKOTA
1989 Dodge Dakota 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual 105k miles

Problem: Headlights inop, parking lights inop, no stop lights, no horn, key in ignition buzzer inop,
Instrument panel lights inop, license plate lights inop, headlight buzzer inop.

Starts fine, instrument gauges work, overhead light works, backup lights work, turn signals work, wipers work, hazard lights work, cigarette lighter works, radio works.
Attempted troubleshooting
By moving wiring & connectors under the hood, the head lights, horn, buzzer, etc worked several times, but would quit after a few minutes. Checked fuses & fuse links appear to be ok. Let truck sit overnight & problem still exists.
Disconnected several dirty connectors under hood & cleaned thoroughly, problem still exists. Can not get the lights, etc to work by moving wiring & connectors now.
Friday, April 2nd, 2010 AT 11:25 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,289 POSTS
Check the connections to the power distribution box under the hood.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Friday, April 2nd, 2010 AT 8:32 PM
Tiny
SCOOTER567
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Thanks for the reply Joe. Is this the distribution box that you indicated ? I have tried opening it & my lights, etc came on twice. Does it come apart ? The fuse panel located on the other side of the firewall, has no power on the inop circuits. Returns look good.
Thanks again,
Roger


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/510889_truck1_2.jpg

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Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 AT 7:56 AM
Tiny
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There is a black box that says Power Distribution Box in it. It will contain fuses and relays in it. Also, is this the connection that you moved to make things work?
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Sunday, April 4th, 2010 AT 1:05 AM
Tiny
SCOOTER567
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Thanks again Joe. There is no distribution box under the hood as you describe (that I could find), only the fuse panel under the dash.
Note picture..
A. this is the connector that I got to work twice by moving it, but can't get it apart. apart??
B. The only relays in in proximity to the open circuit.
C. Fuse links which I have checked.
D. Open & checked these 3 connectors for continuity.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/510889_truck3a_1.jpg

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Sunday, April 4th, 2010 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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You must have a bad connection within that harness. Chrysler spliced wires together and they would corrode. Remove the insulation and check. That has to be what it is.
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Monday, April 5th, 2010 AT 1:17 PM
Tiny
SCOOTER567
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Well Joe, I have reached the point where I have got to invest in a wiring diagram & hope that it will be of some use to me, or spend the money at a local garage & let the experts fix it $$$$. At this point I have no idea what color wire I am looking for in the wiring harness. Sure makes it difficult.
Roger
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Monday, April 5th, 2010 AT 2:44 PM
Tiny
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Update. Took the old truck into the shop & yup ! It cost $$$. The problem was inside of the large firewall connector, but the mechanic was unable to get the connector apart too. He ran a new wire from the fuse link to the fuse panel. He also said the dimmer switch was destroyed by the incident (?) Everything works. For now.
Roger
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Thursday, April 8th, 2010 AT 12:32 PM

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