fuse box dead on one side what's the cause

[The_Handier_Man1]

From: Cooneytoones  (Original Message)
Sent: 11/10/2006 8:30 PM

A friend of mine here right now and his rig has no power to one side of the main fuse panel under the dash... headlights, running lights, tail and stop lamps not working. There is no power showing to only half the main fuse box.
Engine starts, and runs just fine, the charging system is working just as it should be, radio and CD player works...all the dash gauges are working fine...all accessories on the one side of the box work normal....the other side of the box is dead....dead.... dead...all fuses are OK...and all accessories on that side are non-operational right now.....it happened instantly....like a wire came loose....made no sound and he did not smell anything burning......
What could be the cause of this?  Any suggestions will really help....I've looked ...not very hard yet, he got here and it was almost dark...I figure tomorrow...we'll dive into looking for the cause....I figured I'd run it by the more electrically adapted than myself before I dive in and possibly hit my head ...

Thanks, Timmy



Sent: 11/11/2006 9:54 AM

Hi Timmy,if this rig is a Dodge I'd check the wire connections and fusable links at the starter relay,



From: Cooneytoones
Sent: 11/11/2006 12:19 PM

Thanks ...but no dice...It has power on both sides of the fuseable link....connections at the starter relay seems tight....
??Still perturbed and can't figure what is causing the problem.  One side of the box OK the other no juice.....Unless there is a broke wire in a place we haven't looked yet....Very wet outside today. Will take the evening and contimplate the problem over a few beers.....

Timmy



From: Cooneytoones
Sent: 11/11/2006 12:22 PM

Oh Sorry ,,,yes by the way it is a Dodge...75 w/ a 318

Timmy



Sent: 11/11/2006 12:54 PM

Timmy,I think there's more than one link,my Fords have two.One for the ignition,wipers and heater blower(turned on by the key) and one for the stuff thats always on like the lights,horn,and cigarette lighter.



From: Slantsixness
Sent: 11/11/2006 2:03 PM

Tim,

A couple of things.

First, the fuse links (around the starter relay)

Then...
the ignition switch, or the connections (the long flat white one with the burn mark in the middle? yeah, that one!)

Lastly.... the main connector in the fuse panel or the Amp meter connections on the dash.

Any and all of these can be the culprit.
It the system is charging ok, and no fuses are blown, you CAN connect the Run and Bat side of the fuse box together, with no harm done... just be careful that everything still works when you do that. It's a TEMPORARY fix, not a permanent one, but it'll get your buddy home if it has to. Stil investigate the true cause though at the earliest convenience.

Tom



From: DanD2soon
Sent: 11/11/2006 7:12 PM

This link may add pictures to what Tom's talking about or even add something else to look into.   Vintage Chrysler electrical repairs and updates  - DanD



From: Cooneytoones
Sent: 11/12/2006 11:14 AM

Thanks Tom.....it's fixed......and I want to thank Dan too....
Great Resourse for this type of work.....

Cause was the  connection at the split where the wire goes from the alternator to the voltage regulator and to the fuse panel...Problem solved.....on the road again.

thanks, Timmy