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E Stanford
Dodge Dakota
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12/12/2005
11:04:08

Subject: Problem with some wiring
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Hi guys - I'm new here. My bro-in-law told me about the site :)

I have a 1994 Dakota Extended Cab 3.9L V6 with almost 170K miles. When I got the truck it still had the factory radio which worked ok, but I wanted to put in an AM/FM/CD. In the course of installing the new radio, I discovered a blown fuse in the box under the hood - a 5 amp labeled "5a Ignition Off Draw". This was the cause of several things not working (dome light, power mirrors, the little band of light around the ignition, the light under the hood), and was keeping the new radio from powering up. I replaced the fuse - and it immediately blew. I then remembered that my bro-in-law had replaced the headliner, and so I thought there might be something to check in the dome light wiring. I pulled the bulb and unhooked the wiring, but didn't see anything unusual. Just for grins, I tried another fuse - and it worked! I re-installed the dome light, and everything was perfect!

Until about 2 weeks ago. That connection in the fuse box is blowing fuses again. I've pulled out part of the dome light wiring from under the headliner and looked at it, but it looks ok from there. It feels like that wire runs from the dome light toward the rear driver's side column, and then (I'm assuming) down. I don't have a wiring diagram for this truck (something I need to buy).

I get positive continuity to ground on both sides of any of these wires I check, which leads me to believe I've got a 12V lead grounding somewhere. The connection in the fuse box looks ok, and I'm getting 12VDC on one side, and good ground on the other. I'm at a loss! Any advice you guys could give would be much appreciated!! :)



?
Dodge Dakota
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12/12/2005
12:46:46

RE: Problem with some wiring
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You ( it ) don't want " a good ground on the other
side " keep checking with your ohmmeter until that
side is totally open..
Disconnect one thing at a time to isolate problem.



E Stanford
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12/14/2005
15:44:18

RE: Problem with some wiring
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Another piece of the puzzle - I jumped the posts where the 5a IOD goes and blew the 20amp "interior light" fuse - one of the big ones. Is there a cluster of ground wires behind the driver's side kick panel? Also, does anybody know where the dome light wire runs? I've ordered a Chilton book that has wiring diagrams, but it hasn't come in yet. Any help is much appreciated!



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2005
15:53:24

RE: Problem with some wiring
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this site has some wiring diagrams and lots of other info. just copy & paste the link below and enter the following:
username: lcls23
password: library

http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?profile=autorefctr



shdow
Dodge Dakota
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12/15/2005
04:36:59

RE: Problem with some wiring
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instead of installing a new radio/cd (mine came with a great sounding one with tape deck)
I use my ipod shuffle with a cassette adapter I scored at walmart $10 after tax it has a gold contact and sounds great (it thumps like it has a subwoofer) I can stuff 5 hours on the shuffle 512meg I choose my playlist and order
and it dangles nicely from the coiled wire

uses the bass/treble front/fader from the radio controls




papabear
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2005
11:23:18

RE: Problem with some wiring
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i have a 94 4X4 cc 3.9. have had shorts in the fire wall three times
still have one now, dealer fixed it the first two times. just living with this one. heard that the ignition switch can go bad too.i have 212,00 miles on it. three trans rebulds,brakes every 20000 to 30000 miles.(i hope) overall been good truck. mileage just aint lol
less than 10 in winterabout 13 in summer



E Stanford
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12/28/2005
16:56:01

RE: Problem with some wiring
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I'm really just tired of fooling with it - is there any reason I can't just run another 12v lead from the + side of the battery and connect it to the accessory wire on the radio? Then I would just have to make sure I turned it off after I shut the truck off, right?





IowaSQ
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2005
19:58:13

RE: Problem with some wiring
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might want to chck out the ACC wire under the dash(clump of wires that goes to up to the key) before going that route...could turn over another rock, or make wiring the deck eaiser...should be black/pink stripe IIRC.



Danyco
Dodge Dakota
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1/15/2006
20:32:43

RE: Problem with some wiring
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Hi E Stanford

You can always run a direct 12v line from the battery to the red cable on the radio, just make sure it has a fuse in line (most of the recent model radios have one), and run one line from any ACC switched line to the ACC line on the radio to make sure it will turn off when the key is off.
Sometimes this solution is the best one, specially if you are installing a high powered radio that will draw a good amount of current on the line.



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