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'04 Dakota blowing brake light fuse daily!

HELP!

My 2004 Dakota Quad Cab, 4.7ltr. V8, 5Spd Auto with A/C, Trailer Tow Group (34K miles) has been popping "stop lamp" or brake light fuses every day for a few weeks now and I cannot locate the source of the trouble. Here's what I've done:

  1. Trailer Brake System - disconnected and removed, not the source of the overload or short.
  2. The 7-pin connector at the rear bumper, cleaned, additional hitch light in or out - fuse still pops.
  3. Removed, applied elec. connector gel to all brake light bulbs, top light was loose and burned out, new bulb replaced with gel & some glue to keep the bulb stable. Fuse still pops.
  4. Under dash brake switch inspected, elec. connector gel applied to slide pin. Fuse still pops.

Could the brake switch be bad, how do I check this?? What else am I missing... other than wiring harness... which I would rather do anything than trace brake wires for chafing!

Thanks a million to anyone with guidance, direction or assistance!

- Ben (hoping not to get rear-ended in traffic)

Reply to
Ben
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While I doubt it, the easiest way I can think to check it would be to remove the connector from the switch, and jumper the +12V feed to the brake lamp output (simulating what the switch would do). My guess is that's still going to pop the fuse.

Unfortunately, I think that's your most likely fault... somewhere in the wiring harness something has gotten chafed, pinched, or whatnot, and is shorting out. Pull all the bulbs, and check for continuity between the brake +12V feed and ground (pull the fuse, and measure from the unpowered leg of the fuse socket). Have someone watch the meter, while you jiggle the wiring underneath the truck.

Reply to
Tom Lawrence

FOUND IT! The wiring bundle under the dash, drivers side was resting on the top of the parking brake assembly. Each time I pushed the parking brake, the top of the pedal rubbed, chafed and wore 5 wires in the harness. I have separated them, taped, sealed and spliced the damaged wires.

Let this be a cautionary notice to all other Dakota owners to check the placement of their wires under the dash.

Thanks for your help!- Ben

Reply to
Ben

Good job! Thanks for reporting back with the results.

Bob

Reply to
Bob M

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