Hey all, I desperately need help here. I've got a 2001 Dodge Durango 4.7L SLT w/tow package (not sure if the tow package is original or not), and a few days ago I noticed my dash instruments didn't illuminate when I turned on the headlights, and my rear lights didn't come on (brake lights and turn signals work).

I replaced a blown fuse which seemed to work, and then it blew out rather quickly.

I replaced it again, turned on the engine and the lights, and noticed smoke coming from behind me. I looked down beneath the bumper on the left side and saw a small black box with wires leading out of it with melting rubber on it.

I turned everything off, removed the fuse, then drove home. After I got home I noticed the box was very varm.

Upon inspection it seems the wires leading outward from the box lead to the tow hitch, where the connections for trailer lights are. I know this because there was no similar box leading up to the right tail light.

It's also worth mentioning that before all this, the turn signals blinked rapidly, not normally. Now after removing the fuse and the slight melting, it varies from rapid to slower on the left, stays rapid on the right.

I know I've probably got a short somewhere, and I already plan on taking off the bumper when it's light out to see what there is to be seen.

Anyone got any suggestions? Is it possible to remove the tow package
wires and have the tail light still work? Or would I have to replace the wiring?

Here's a picture of the box:

 

The factory tow package uses a 7-pin socket, not the 4-wire in your photo. That has to be an add-on by someone. With that, of course it's possible to 'uninstall' it, but you'd have to figure that out based upon whats there. It's not rocket science.

 

Appreciated man, thanks