I am in the process of installing my Ham radio. I see a heavy red electrical cable going to a nylon block connector under my driver seat. It does not have a connection. I do not have power seats. I have not tested it to determint if it is hot all the time or only when the ignition is on. It does not matter to me. My questions are ... What was this connection origionally intended for? Which fuse does this wire go to? What is the fuse rating?


"SARGE"

 

Do you have the center console with 12v plugs in it?

 

No center console. I have the 40/20/40 front bench seats. The center 20% back portion is stationary and the back folds forward and down and has storrage inside, but no power connections. Upon closer inspection, it is actually an orange wire with a red stripe. As I stated, the heavy orange wire under the driver seat dead ends in a nylon multi connection block. Two small wires go to the driver seat for the seat belt/occupant detector. The orange wire dead ends at the block connector and has 12v to it at all times. It is a HEAVY gauge wire probably 10 or 12 gauge. I'm just wondering if anyone has used this connection for radio gear (Ham/CB) and how I can find out what fuse it goes to. This will give me the ampere rating of the circuit/wire. I could just short it to ground and then look for the blown fuse.

"SARGE"

 

Then you have a center console that Weed was describing. In my center console(flip style) I have a 12v Plug inside the top flip part, close to the driverside in the first compartment facing rearward. That is where my 12v plug is. I have a 2008. 2006-2008 should be the same. Also, not sure if you are aware or not, but your lower part flips up as well. There a handle on the lower front that lifts up and the seat part raises for hidden storage.
Also, 10/12ga is for 20A fuse. I'd put under 15A load on it for safety reasons as the tipm's in these trucks don't pop fuses...They just lock themselves internally and "go bad" requiring a new one($600+) You only have 10% fuses under the hood. The rest are all PLC style controlled electronic fuse/relays.

Good luck.

 

I didnt know that until a good year after I owned my truck....LOL

 

Lots of people don't know it which makes it an excellent place to store anything valueable. Thats where I have my iPod and Sirius hookups...odds are unless a thief is familiar with the truck they wont think to look in the seat.

 

Uh ... No ... There are no power plugs (i.e. cigarette outlets) in the fold-down-seat-back storrage. There is only the one shallow storrage area for CD's and small items. I looked at the seat bottom. The fabric/vinyl cover goes all the way down and clips to the frame under the seat. No leavers, *****, buttons or anything. I think I know what I have and what I don't have. This is going in a direction I did not want it to. I don't care about the seat storrage. I just wanted to know if anyone has tapped into the power wire under the driver seat and what fuse it goes to, if any, and how can I find its amperage rating?

Here is what I have ...

*P9 Cloth 40/20/40 Split Bench Seat
-J3 Khaki
AHC Trailer Tow Group
APAS Monotone Paint
BAZS 136 Amp Alternator
BCQP 750 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BRRS 4 Wheel Disc Rr Anti-Lock Brakes
CBEP 40/20/40 Split Bench Seat
CFMP Rear Folding Seat
CGDS Front Height Adjust Shoulder Belts CG3S Advanced Multistage Front Air Bags** CKES Front Seat Area Carpet CLES Front & Rear Floor Mats CSPS Passenger Assist Handle CUES Rear Underseat Compartment Storage CUSS Overhead Console w/Trip Computer DGQ 5-Spd Automatic 545RFE Transmission DMHS 3.92 Rear Axle Ratio DRBS Corporate 9.25 LD Rear Axle DSA Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle EZB 5.7L V8 HEMI MDS Engine GACS Tinted Glass Windows GFES Rear Power Sliding Window GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror GNMS Passenger Side Sun Visor w/Mirror GTSS Power Heated Mirrors, Fold-Away GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors GXMS Remote Keyless Entry GXXS Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System HAAS Air Conditioning HGAP Hood Insulation HGBS Dash Liner Insulation HGFS Floor Tunnel Insulation HGGS Body Insulation JAYS Instrument Cluster w/Tach JBYS Instr. Panel Color Keyed Bezel JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers JJAS Cigar Lighter JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns JJJS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet JKYS Power Accessory Delay JPBS Power Locks JPDS Power Windows, Driver One-Touch JP8S Manual Adjust Seats LABS Tire Pressure Monitoring Warning LP LMAS Halogen Headlamps LNJS Fog Lamps LPES Cargo Lamp MBFS Bright Rear Bumper MCMS Body Color Upper Fascia MCTS Bright Front Bumper MF1S Bright/Bright Grille MGAS Ram's Head Badge MJB Chrome Bodyside Molding MWDS Removable Tailgate w/Caliper Latches MXBS Front Air Dam MXCS Front Bumper Sight Shields MYFA Bighorn Badge NAA Federal Emissions NFWS 26 Gallon Fuel Tank NHBP Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler NHMS Speed Control NHNP Electronically Controlled Throttle NMCP Heavy Duty Engine Cooling NZDP Next Generation Engine Controller PV6A Sunburst Orange Pearl Coat QV6S Sunburst Orange Pearl Coat RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles RCDS 4 Speakers RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna REFS AM/FM Compact Disc Radio RSAS Sirius Satellite Radio SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering SCFS 4-Spoke Steering Wheel SFBS Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers SGBS Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar SUAS Tilt Steering Column TBBS Full Size Spare Tire TBMS Tire Carrier Winch TTJS P275/60R20 BSW All Season Tires TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires WGAP 20" Steel Spare Wheel WLZC All Aluminum Wheels WMJP Center Hub
WP2 20" Aluminum Chrome Clad Wheels
XA8S Non Adjustable Pedals
XBNP Tip Start
XBSS Pickup Box
XFHP Class IV Receiver Hitch
XFKP 7 Pin Wiring Harness
XFUS Trailer Tow w/4-Pin Connector Wiring XGWP Stain Repel Seat Fabric XJL Front Hood Protection Shield X81S Instrument Panel Parts Module X88S Tire & Wheel Parts Module X9AP


SO ... Anyway, If the TIPM is 'tripped' does it have to be replaced or just re-flashed? I read that if the TIPM is over current 5 times, it shuts down that circuit untill it is re-flashed. Is that right?


Thanks.


"SARGE"

 

No need to get pissy.

If that power wire there is inteded for the optional 12v plug in the center console then it is rated at 20amps and is continuous power (making it not the best option to tap into).

Your best bet would be to jump off the hot side of a switched fuse in your fuse box and run new line into the cab through the fire wall (with an inline fuse of course).

That's how I have my 2 way radio wired up.

 

Hmm . . .

I think that would make it a perfect candidate for tapping into. I prefer my HAM and other comm gear to be powered at all times, unless and until I turn it off, regardless of the state of the ignition switch.

Personal preference, I guess.

 

Yup, personal preference. I like any electrical accessories like that to shut off with the truck.

Too many times I've gone to grab a piece of equipment with a hard wired radio and had it not start because of drained batteries/