Over the past few weeks my truck as been having problems with the interior electronics. The first problem was the blower, every time I would flip the air on, the blower would have trouble staying on, It would switch on and off every few second until the truck warmed up. After about a week of this issue, the blower completely stopped working.
The next day I took apart the dash to try and see where the blower is positioned but while I was doing this, a small red wire on the far passenger side hit the body of the truck and sparked. Immediately my cab light went out. I turned the key to accessory and noticed that my radio was out too. I drove the truck for around 3 days before my dash cluster lights went out, but the warning lights in the cluster still work. I'm lost as to what the problem may be, yesterday I flipped the blower on and it worked for a few seconds then went out again.
If anyone could push me in the right direction I would be extremely greatful
Thank you

 

The blower problem is most likely the resistor pack, which is under the hood on the passenger side of the firewall. That can get corroded and can burn up.

The shorted out wire probably caused some fuses to pop. Most likely it popped one of the main ones under the hood as well as the individual fuses under the dash.

 

I didn't even think to check the main fuses under the hood. But the ones under the dash are all fine. Ill get to them in the morning. Its much too cold for me to go outside where I am.
Thank you

 

Hello.

I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota that I recently had to put a new radio in due the previous owner putting a nickel in the tape slot and shorting it out. Earlier I had to replace the blower motor relay since the high setting did not work.

Now I have a new problem, the parking lights will not go OFF!. I have a strong burning smell, but I cant tell if it coming from inside or outside the vehicle. I did notice that when it happens, it is wet outside.

I pulled all the fuses out one by one, including the parking light relay and the lights stay on. The only way they go off is to disconnect the battery.

Any ideas?

 

Sure sounds like a wiring problem. You just got to find it. Try posting in the 2nd generation Dakota sub-forum.

 

I looked back through the fuses under the hood and found one 5amp that was blown. Barely looked blown at all, but I replaced it and the radio came back on. The dash lights and cab light are still out, and so is the blower. I'm going to replace the blower resister tomorrow and see if that will work.