ASD fuse and EATX fuse blowing

WAREDAVID

MEMBER
1999 DODGE CARAVAN
3.3L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
360,000 MILES

I was driving down the freeway last night when the motor completely shut down and stopped working. Didn't lose any lights or anything else just the motor itself shut down. When looking for the problem I noticed that there were three fuses blown, the ASD fuse. EATX fuse next to it and the memory fuse as well. I tried jumping with a piece of wire 1 relay at a time but only was able to get it to start and drive again when I jumped the ASD relay, the EATX relay and the fuses for both the ASD relay, the EATX while the memory fuse was removed completely. I found that when I put a wire in the memory fuse it was hot constantly and would just burn up the wire.

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
43,046 POSTS

Can you give me the fuse numbers that keep blowing? It sounds like transmission control module, or a shift solenoid could be shorting out, but I need the fuse numbers to be sure. Here is where the TCM is located so you can check it out, this control module is subject to moisture because of its location. I would remove the electrical connector and look for corrosion. Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

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Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 AT 10:42 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

The reason you were able to get the vehicle to start with jumping the ASD relay is because this relay controls the injectors and coils.

So, we need to make sure we are repairing this and not leaving a jumper wire in place of this relay. Basically, that is not safe and can cause stalling or fires in the engine bay so I would not leave that past doing a quick test.

Let's circle back to what exact fuse you were jumping that was burning up the wire.

What I would do is remove that fuse and leave it out and install the others and the relays. Then drive the vehicle to find out if it stalls again. The reason is, it sounds like you have a short in this circuit that is causing the fuses to blow. Removing this fuse will shut down that circuit and if the issue stops then there is something on that circuit that is shorted to ground.

Basically, the current flows from the power source directly to ground rather than through a load which will cause the current flow to go so fast that it generates enough heat to blow the fuse or melt the wire.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Let me know which number fuse this was in the PDC, and we can go from there.

Thanks

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Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 AT 10:45 AM

WAREDAVID

MEMBER
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I actually got it figured out late last night. I took a step back and started with the easiest thing that could be wrong with it and causing all the issues I was having and my short was right out of the top of the fuse box closest to the firewall. There are 2 wires that come out of that and 1 of them is spliced, basically butt connection but the inside metal was all that was left no protection from bumping into the strut tower that is also right there and causing my #17 fuse for the memory to blow along with the ASD fuse, I think 22 or 24 and the EATX fuse for the engine next to it. I stupidly had taken the tape off of that wire trying to chase down another short in the vehicle and never reapplied the electrical tape. So, my mistake, but thankfully I was able to get it going again no issues. Thank you for the reply and help though.

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Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 AT 11:01 AM