switch lost power

[szorno]

I have a 3 year old 9'2" Vplow with joystick controller that all of the sudden lost power. No power light on when I flip the switch. Being the savvy snowplow owner of 30+ years that I am, I thought "OK bad battery connection". But even after pulling all leads off the battery & cleaning them there was no change in the light. I keep a hand push button controller available and it doesn't work either. (so not the switch itself)
So, John & other Boss experts... I assumed that in a normal dealer installation that the power would come from the battery directly. Is it normal to wire a power source thru the fuse block on a Dodge? A quick check of the fuse block under the hood found all fuses working properly. Any thoughts?
No snow for a while and the backup truck is fine so no hurrry. Thanks guys.

[Jerre Heyer]

Scott,

The boss get's power from the ignition source and feeds it to a relay under the hood. That relay get's it's power from the battery power wire under the hood ( fused ) and it get's ground from the small negative tap. I've seen the fuse holder corrode internally, the relay corrode, the connectors from them corrode. Start with the power wire from the fused source ( red wire with black stripe) and see if it's got power all the way to the relay. Check the red wire coming from the relay to see if it's got power and see if it's got power going up to the controller. Check the Black wires on the relay across from the red wire when the key is on to see if you have power out that one. You have everyting but power out the black wires after key on then check the 4th wire ( brownish ) for a good ground.

J

[szorno]

thanks Jerre,
Any idea where the ignition source would tap in on a Dodge? I will do the rest of the checks tomorrow in the daylight. Thanks a bunch.:D

[Jerre Heyer]

Depends on the installer. On the new body style trucks it's usually under the hood. on the old body style it's inside the door on the drivers side.

J

[CGSI]

Scott
Sorry I did not see this before now but what Jerre said is the right way to go (like thats a surprise). If you need a wiring diagram let me know. Send me an email and I will get it to you ASAP.

[Garagekeeper]

Scott it is more then likely the wire connection or the fuse "inside" the truck that turns everything on when the key is turned.
Quick test would be to see if your "plow lights" operate when you turn your key on, if not your on the right track.
Under your dash in the harness coming from your controller connector you will find three wires, the black with the red stripe is the wire that has a 10 amp mini fuse in it and goes to an "ign" source.
That's the controll wire for all your plow relays and where to start checking.
Hope this helps you out if you haven't found your problem already.
If not give a call I'll try and walk you thru the check out.

:rolleyes: John...

[szorno]

OK guys, thanks for being patient with a bonehead...:o The power for the box comes from a tap next to the cigarette lighter fuse. I had used my magnet mount light bar which plugs into the lighter plug when spraying the other night. That light bar draws a lot and apparently blew the fuse. but I did not notice it. I went to prep the truck the next evening and no power. I had a brain f@&t with where the second fuse box was. Like Duh... how many years have I driven Dodges? (rhetorical question) When you guys started replying it was like the light finally came one. Replace the lighter fuse and all will be well. It is.
Thanks for your patience. I needed a clear head and you guys were it.
John, John, & Jerre. What a team. J3 for Boss plow problems...:wink