I'm having a problem figuring out why the cigar lighter and accesory outlet 20 amp fuse keeps blowing on my '99. Spent about 3 hours today tearing apart the dash attempting to find a short but couldn't find anything; I gave up when it looked like the only way to get to the back of the fuse block was to remove the entire dash. Anyone seen this before or have any ideas? Thanks.

 

You do not have to remove the dash to get to the back of the fuse block. It tells you how in the service manual. Not haynes or chilton but the "service manual" from dodge. I had a problem with the wiper fuse blowing, after 4 trips to the dealer (warrenty) and them replacing every part in the system with no cure, I dove in myself. Found that the way they routed the wiring from the multi function switch was the problem. I straightned out the wiring so it was relaxed and havent had a lick of troubles yet. Good o'l dealer trouble shooting, replace parts until they find it. *THAT STATEMENT DOES NOT INCLUED ALL DEALERS OR MECHANIC'S* just mine.

Toomany Tools, if you do not have a manaul I could type it to email and send it to you. PM me with your addy if you like.

Curt

 

disconnect your sig. lighter and if you no longer blow fuses , then replace sig. lighter, if that does'nt work then get on a tol truck [ Snap On- Mac ] and buy a short finder , it includes a 30 amp braker and a meter that wigles the closer you get to a short as the breaker pops.

 

My 93 GMC was doing that. Took it to the dealer and they found a coin down in the socket.
Worth a look, wish I would have

 

Friends, thanks for your inputs. I search my manual and today plan to roll down the instrument panel as Curt suggested. What I'm trying to figure out is whether or not I have to remove the steering column. I sure don't want to unless absolutely necessary but I will if there's no other way. I only have 95K on this truck and expect to drive it at least another 6 years so fixing this problem is the only way to go.

Thanks again.

John

 

Is the fuse blowing with the cigar lighter removed? Maybe the cigar lighter itself is bad.

I've had coins in cigar lighters before. Did you clean out/check all the cigar lighters/power outlets?

If you have a voltmeter, check for continuity between the center terminal in the cigar lighter (+12v terminal) and ground. If you get continuity then you have a short somewhere.

John has a good idea to disconnect the outlet(s). I'd do that and another continuity check on the exposed wire ends before tearing the dash apart.

 

Other than doing what you guys have already talked about, do ya'll know about the reverse light fuse blowing only when hooked up to a trailer and then blowing when the trucked is placed in reverse. Have had this same trailer hooked up to three other vehicles with no problems. AKDSLDOG, I also took mine to the dealer with no results from them.

 

Interesting, I have the same problem. Fuse for BU lights blowing when hooked to 5er. So I just added auxiliary BU lights.

 

Sounds like the truck BU lighths are wired to a trailer ground circuit http://www.marksrv.com/wiring.htm
Clark

 

BINGO!

And to TOOMANY TOOLS: If you are going to "roll out" the dash yes you need to pull the steering colmn down. But if you just want to get the fuse panel out there is no need to. You have a short to ground issue. I would check all connections first and look for burned wires. If that looks good I would replace the cig lighter ($6.00 at napa) and if that fails then I would look at your fuse panel. I hope I didn't confuse you in email, your manual will show how to take the panel out without removing the dash.

Curt