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MassMarauder
03-12-2003, 05:23 PM
Got in the Rauder at lunch today and found that I couldn't shift it out of park. Made several phone calls until I found someone that had a clue. Apparently when the brake lights malfunction you cannot shift the car out of Park. I was instructed to put the key in the ignition and turn it almost, but not quite, to the on position and I would then be able to shift into nuetral and start the car. I did so then drove directly to a near by LM dealer where they proceeded to troubleshoot the brake wiring system. The found a pinched wire near the right rear tail light assy.

That's the good news.
The bad news is that I drove away and noticed the the tach, speedo, volt, oil gauges don't work at all. Also noticed that the irritating "buckle your seatbelts" chime isn't working. The autolamp headlights aren't working either. Have to turn them on manually. Wow!! What did they do? I called back P'd off and scheduled an appointment.
Anyone have any clues as to what might be wrong?
LincMercLover
03-12-2003, 05:41 PM
Sounds like the PCM may be disconnected?
VERN
03-12-2003, 05:48 PM
It appears that the #19 fuse (brake lights) blew when the wire was pinched. I guess it is possible the mechanic took out an existing fuse to replace the blown fuse try to figure out the problem and never remembered to put a new fuse in. The other fuses that supply power to the items that aren't working are #6, #21, and #23. Coincidentally they are all 15 amp fuses (the same as the brake light fuse). Check out the fuse box under the dash to see if all the fuses are there.

Vernon
MassMarauder
03-15-2003, 07:31 AM
All fuses checked out ok
Matt Johnson
03-15-2003, 10:29 AM
So...did you find out what happened? Was it related to D.R. chip?

Yours and the "Check Engine Light" thread that popped up in the last two days are both from members who are running D.R. chips. Do you think there's any correlation between the chip and the problem you're having?
MassMarauder
03-15-2003, 04:33 PM
It's going in for service on Monday. Not likely related to the DR chip. Everything was fine until the dealer started troubleshooting the electrical system short.
mercjerc
03-16-2003, 06:38 AM
had the same issue. turned out the shorted brake wires were blowin out the fuses (dash lights/gauges). the dealer took care of the brake light wires and replaced the fuses to the dash and all was ok.
MassMarauder
03-17-2003, 05:34 AM
Dropped it off this morning. On the way in I noticed more things not working.
ALL gauges not working.
OD off button..
Rear Defroster..

Time will tell
MassMarauder
03-17-2003, 09:46 AM
Dealer just called. It's ready! He claims that a "main" fuse was blown. So I guess there must be some main fuses ahead of all the individual fuses.
RF Overlord
03-17-2003, 09:49 AM
Good deal...glad it was simple.

I guess "someone" should have mentioned to look in the high-current fuse box under the hood... ahem... :rolleyes: who, ME?
prchrman
03-17-2003, 09:57 AM
Did the dealer have a clue why the blown fuse and did they check current pull after replacing...if not...
jgc61sr2002
03-17-2003, 08:29 PM
Originally posted by prchrman
Did the dealer have a clue why the blown fuse and did they check current pull after replacing...if not... I agree, there is usually a reason for the blown fuse. Some sort of malfunction is generally the cause and may be intermittent. Hope this was not the case. John
MassMarauder
03-18-2003, 05:06 AM
Good questions. I'm still looking for all the answers. Sometimes it's difficult to talk to the guy that actually fixed the car.
I think VERN might have hit it on the head when he said "it is possible the mechanic took out an existing fuse to replace the blown fuse try to figure out the problem and never remembered to put a new fuse".