Hey guys.... so I'm having some issues with the igniton fuse on a 2000 Durango. According to the mechanic the fuse keeps blowing as soon as he tries to start the car but he says there is nothing wrong with the alternator or ignition switch. The diagnostics come back clean too. He can't figure it out, had it towed to an alarm/audio specialist (not entirely sure why) unless they do electical on the side. The only other concurrent problems would be that prior to this the cruise control and back wiper have been intermittantly not working (of course when I bring it in its fine). Anyways the bill is running up in diagnostic hours and two tow trips so if anyone is familiar with the problem HELP!!! I admit to knowing very little about cars... except that I love this one (also partial to jeeps) and would recommend it in a heart beat. This is my first problem other than the ball joint recall (which by the way I complained about for months and was told I was nuts and the car wasn't making any noises) so stay away from the dealers if you can. [sm=dontgetit.gif]

 

Some common things to check, is the starter itself seem to start the engine fine? Could be starter may be shorting out or seizing up? Check the main heavy power cables that feed the starter to make sure from end to end that it is in good shape. Check the fuse block itself and its connection to make sure they are in good shape? If I recall, that ignition fuse is like a 140 amp fuse? Takes alot of juice to blow it.

 

Thanks for the thoughts. Problem solved. I guess the idiots I paid to put my subs in six years ago hooked into the wrong side of the fuse box so when a wire wore through it blew. Thought I could do a better job myself, but mom insisted, lol. Don't know how the mechanic couldn't figure that out; I would have thought the tap would have been obvious. Crappy part is they didn't ask me and just unhooked my whole system since the box wasn't in the car at the time... they thought I didn't use it anymore..... so they say. Wish I had the time to learn how to fix the car myself, lol. Props to you guys who know more than how to change a flat.

 

Electrical is fairly easy to understand, you make a complete circuit between point a and point b. If something goes wrong with the circuit you basically look at everything between a and b.

Luckily your D did not catch fire or fried more stuff. To have a short to blow a 140 amp fuse is not a good thing. Alot of components in the car can melt or catch fire before the 140 amp fuse blows.