Hello, forum folk!

Just bought a 2001 Ram 1500 and the brake lights don't work. The turn signals, hazard and tail lights all work fine, as do the back-up lights.

I started with the bulbs, but they're all burning brightly on both filaments. The turn signals and hazard use the same filament as the brake lights should.

I tested the brake light switch and it's working perfectly.

I measured the voltage to the brake light switch and there doesn't seem to be any 12V coming to pin 6 (or any other pins), so I'm working 'upstream' from there.

According to the service manual wiring diagram, there's a 20A fuse (Fuse 5) in the "power distribution center". This is where I'm boggled.

I can find the power distribution center (it's right next to the battery under the hood), but the "ENGINE INLINE" area where Fuse 5 lives is just a big wiring harness with a bolt in the middle.

Do I have to remove the bolt and unplug that entire wiring harness to access Fuse 5? Where is it?

My last Dodge was a Dart, so it's been awhile. Any help is appreciated!


Thanks,

Dale Wheat

 

Look on the cover of the PDC, should be a map of what's where on the inside.

Fuse 5 is pretty fair sized. Plastic little box with a clear cover. Should be able to see the fuse element inside it.

 

Bingo! Found it!

OK, thanks so much! I was looking at that picture of the power distribution center and seeing the wire bundle at the top and not the actual fuse location on the left side. So it was under the hood the whole time.

D'oh!

I swapped out the 20A hazard fuse and that solved the problem. A trip to the auto parts store and I have a full complement of fuses again, plus working brake lights.

Oh, and it passed inspection to boot!

Dale

 

 

zman getting plowed again?