Blowing the Fuse

[scl]

I hauled a trailer yesterday with brakes for the first time. Had to make sure it would haul the skid for the upcoming season. 96 2500. While empty the ABS and brake warning light came on about halfway to my destination. On the way back iit never came on. Then last night I get in after dark, trailer unhooked, and head to town to take my son's friend home, and have no dash lights or taillights or marker lights or factory fog lamps. I pull the fuse to replace and blow 2 more immediately upon turning on the lights. #1 Do you think that the two problems are related? #2Is there a relay for the trailer plug that could be stuck? This has the factory trailer package. Any other ideas or places to start?
Thanks
Scott

[wyldman]

They are probably not related.The ABS and brake light was probably caused by a faulty speed sensor in the rear diff.Very common.Towing or heavy use will sometimes expose the problem as the diff gets hotter than it normally would.

The fuse may be blowing because of the headlamp switch going bad,another common problem.Start by checking the trailer plug for any corrosion,water or damage.If it's OK,I'd pop the dash off (easy),and pull the headlamp switch out.You'll probably find it's pretty burnt up.Replace the switch and install the overlay harness Dodge has out to prevent it from happening again.

[scl]

Chris,
Thanks for the quick getback!
I had thought about the headlight switch, that'sthe first place I'll go. About the speed sensor, I'll have to go fishing for that one LOL.
My F350 had a real problem for a while burning up head light switches, seems about the same.
I'll keep you posted.
Thanks
Scott

[wyldman]

Speed sensor is right in the top of the diff.You could try pulling it out and cleaning it first,as sometimes they get metal stuck on them,which affect the signal quality.

[Mark Oomkes]

There was at least one if not more recalls from Dodge regarding wiring harnesses melting or burning up. We had 1 or 2 fixed before it happened and I think it diod actually happen to the other.

Too bad the truck didn't catch fire along with it.

[scl]

Found the speed sensor, right hwere you said it was. I'll have to pull it and clean it.
I replaced the headlight switch. The old one looked okay but I thought what the heck and got a new one anyway. Turns out that isn't it. :( I cleaned the trailer plug real well just in case but I don't know where to go next. Maybe a mechanic eh! If I were closer Chris I'd bring it by:) Them darn little spade fuses aren't cheap either. Bout a buck apiece from NAPA.:rolleyes: I'll let you know what happens with the sensor.
Thanks again
Scott

[wyldman]

If you ever need to buy fuses,don't buy them in little packs.Find a fuse assortment.They usually come in a nice plastic box,and are wayyyyy cheaper.

You can make a short tester from an old headlamp,or tractor lamp.Make up two little jumper wires with males spades,to connect the lamp across the fuse.If the lamp is on bright,you have a dead short.Start disconnecting things until the lamp goes out,or gets dim,and you have found your short.

[cardoctor]

theres a service bulletin from dodge
about corrosion in the factory trailer plug causing the brake and abs light to come on
if i remember ill try to look it up
john

[scl]

Well, I really went after this today. After replacing the hl switch to no avail, I started on the trailer plug. When I hooked up the trailer the connector to the brake controller was in the wrong prong and I think this caused the intial problem. I pulled the trucks connector apart and it was pretty clean, and then I tried the fuse with the plug off. Blew it! Started checking relays and found the trailer light "maxi" fuse blown. Took it out and the trailer light relay and tried another fuse. Blew it! Called my dealer and they said bring it in. The tech and I started from scratch, and still coulgn't get it. Then he started monkeying with the hl switch and everything was working when the switch was 1/4 out, and without a park light fuse in its socket. Now we're just plain confounded. We pulled the dash panel and pulled the hl plug and just generally fidelling with things. All the sudden everything works. Still cost me an hours labor and a maxi fuse, but it all works. What did we do? I have no freaking clue. The wonders of electricity. It even worked wih the old hl switch so who knows. Such is my life!:confused:

[Adams Plowing]

Gotta love electricity... I burned up a headlight switch this year too thankfully it decide to burn up right at dawn when we were out plowing so it didnt cost me much time...

[scl]

Well another update. :rolleyes: Noticed I had a taillight out Wed. so yesterday I pulled the tailight out. It started working. So I figure a bad plug or a bad wire, and while trying to mess with the pigtail, all the parking lights go out! So now I figure there's a dead short somewhere, so I start pulling the wiring out of the loom and low and behold, there's a burned up wire.:( Followed all the way to the front plug. I call the dealer for the loom and find out its $289 plus 15% to expedite it here by Mon.:eek: Not much choice as it burned into several other wires too.
Had to drop the gas tank to get to the wiring and take it out so I'm not cobbling something to do this again. This is NOT the definition of fun
:headwall