Hey all,
First of all, I would like to say that I am new to this forum and have found it very useful. I have run into a problem in my 1998 dodge ram truck and ask for any advice that can be given on the subject. So, I was adding an Ipod adapter to the back of my aftermarket alpine stereo which has been working great. I did something very stupid that on any other day, I would have caught, but I was in a hurry, I left my truck running. Somehow, I arc'd a current over to my 12v constant and there is now a discontinuity in my wiring harness. My radio, dome light, dome supervision light, glove box light and cargo light are no longer functioning. I took my truck to best buy where the radio was installed thinking it was something on their end at first, and all that they were able to tell me is that no current was coming to the (pink) constant wire and that the ILLUM should have never been hooked up. I believe i have traced the hole to between my radio and fuse box because all other equiptment is functioning properly. What role does the ILLUM play? Is it the wiring that goes to all of those lights, or does the constant also? Can anyone give me any sort of diagram to the wiring of my truck? I assume that the Constant comes straight off the fuse box and brances to all of the equiptment. Is this true? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bryan Omohundro

 

It sounds like you blew some fuses in the fuse box. Check them out!!!

 

Already checked all the fuses...i also checked the continuity of the 12v constant...THE PINK WIRE IN THE HARNESS...and thats where there is a hole....can someone give me an idea of the routing of the 12v constant from the fuse box out to the radio then to wherever it goes next

 

OK, Your radio, dome lamp, cargo lamp and glove box lamp doesn't work. If you have power mirrors, I will assume those don't work as well.
Does your underhood lamp work? If it doesn't work, I would double check your fuses.
The things that are common about the radio, dome lamp, cargo lamp, glove box lamp and power mirror switch are that they are fed by the Joint Connector No. 5. This is fed by fuse 12 (10A) in the junction block (which also feeds the underhood light, overhead counsule, and the vanity lights).

The Joint Connector No. 5 is located to the rear of the steering column. From the wiring diagram, it seems that these "joint connectors" basically just house splices of differant kinds. Don't ask me about repairing/replacing them, as I've never dealt with one.

Please note the above information is taken from the 2001 service manual. I hope this information applies to you, but can't guarantee it. On the bright side, if the information doesn't apply, I'll refund my diagnostic fee .

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Thank you soo much for your help. I am hoping to dive into it real soon, and I believe that the problem is right there in the joint connector number five. We'll see though....On another subject, while I have my truck torn apart, I have always wanted to install either the compass/ temp guage or the engine computer in my overhead. How hard is this to do, What might i do to see if I have the wiring or the capability to wire it. I am hoping to connect one with factory harnesses because I really hate to cut into the factory wire.

Thanks,
Bryan

 

Hey,
So, I got it all fixed. Guess what! So, I went to the store and picked up a soldering iron and heat shrink and wire. Drove the truck home to dad to have help looking at it. He took about five minutes and yanked out IOD fuse 12 with a pair of pliers( because of the plastic piece it was behind) and we had my stereo, dome lights, and cargo light running in no time. I guess thats what I get for listening to Best Buy. The night I arced the wire, I took advantage of my amp install warranty and took it up there. They charged me 37 dollars to supposidly change every one of my fuses...Thats why I was adiment that it wasnt a fuse. Guess they were to lazy to get to fuse 12. So, my dash got ripped out for nothing lol. Thanks for your help. One quick question. Upon checking continuity I accidentaly arced the power outlet thats on all the time. I read somewhere else in here that theres a fuse for that on the back side of the fuse panel from the other fuses. Is that true. Well, Thanks again for your help. You are a life saver.

Thanks,

Richard Bryan Omohundro