NOTE:
I would have checked some fuses but I don't know where the fuse box is on this truck. Some weird box I unscrewed under the "open hood" latch but doesn't look like anything is under it. I couldn't get it off, though. I checked the side of the door, not there.

95 Dakota SLT 3.9L v6 2wd

The radio that came with my truck is garbage and wouldn't stop skipping on my CD, so I hit it a few times and suddenly I notice the heat control box lost power, then I look up and noticed my dash lights lost power.

The radio was still on, I took my dash off and unscrewed the radio. I moved it some, suddenly the radio stops working!

I then proceeded to check the brand new lighter socket I put in, nope, doesn't work anymore.

So my question is:

I thought the lighter socket was on its own fuse. What could cause all this malfunction?

Does not work:
- Temp Control Box
- Dash Lights (only the highlight lights - the gas light/ ABS / engine light all come up correctly when I turn the key)
- Radio
- Lighter Socket

 

Welcome to DF. The FAQ in this section (Just a few posts above this one) has a fuse diagram. The main fuse box is under the steering, the relay box with a few more fuses is under the hood on the driver side fender.

Fuse Box



Power Distribution Center (PDC)

PDC.jpg?t=1273357905

 

Ok, and the outcome:

BAD
8 - 20 AMP YELLOW - Tail lamp, parking lamps, side marker lamps, license lamps, clock, radio, display intensity, panel lamps

GOOD
9 - 15 AMP LT BLUE - Cigar lighter

BAD
12 - 10 AMP RED - RADIO

BAD
13 - 4 AMP PINK - Panel illumination lamp

Turns out that the cigarette lighter positive terminal got loose, I just used a needle nose to fix that.

Everything works except for the dash lights (I think), since it was never really too bright, I'll re-check at night, but it doesn't look like they are working. I also tested the new 4 AMP pink fuse to make sure it didn't blow, it was still good.