Chrysler Repair: 99 caravan: dash not working/12v present on the dash metal?

Question
QUESTION: Dash controls are not working. They come on for a couple seconds on start up then go off and stay off. I took the iod fuse out from fuse box next to battery. All works on dash now but no radio due to fuse out. If I replace fuse I end up with same problem. Is there any problem with leaving this fuse out?  What can I do to fix problem? Thx matt

ANSWER: Hi Matthew,
I wonder what you mean by "dash controls" not working...which controls? The IOD Fuse 28 would appear to me to power the instrument cluster gauges and lights, so removing that fuse would not make those work at all.
Roland

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QUESTION: The frame in cabin is electrically hot . my ground strap to radio has 12 volts on it. If I disconnect ground strap to radio my instrument cluster will work. If I connect radio ground instrument cluster will come on for few seconds then go off and not come back on. I can pull iod fuse out and instrument cluster will work but lose my radio. Checked every ground that I can find and looked for wire that might be touching frame can't diagnose the problem. Please help if you can thx matt

ANSWER: Hi Matthew,
I am sorry to have disappointed you. I agree with your ground strap wiring of the minivan radios, my error.
I can list all the places that fuse 28 power is supposed to go and perhaps if you check out the wiring at those locations/devices you can find something that is shorting that voltage to the "frame". I wonder however why fuse 28 is not blowing? Am I correct that what you are calling IOD is fuse 28?
Let me know if you would like the fuse 28 assignments,
Roland

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QUESTION: ROLAND, IT TURNED OUT TO BE A SHORT ON PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHERE THERE IS A WIRING HARNESS THAT GOES THRU FIREWALL TO BLOWER MOTOR. CRAZY TO TRY AND DIAGNOSE  FOR ME ANYWAY . THANKS MATT

Answer
Hi Matthew,
That is very good troubleshooting on your part to find the short and that it didn't blow the blower motor fuse. It is 40 amp and could apparently handle the short situation. It is interesting how the IOD fuse removal modified the situation. Thanks so much for sharing that experience.
Roland