QuestionQUESTION: Could you please tell me where the fuses are located for both of these items for my 1997 Cirrus? Also, if the fuses are OK, what else can be done to get these to work?
Thank you!
ANSWER: Hi Bill,
Check fuse 8 in the 'junction box' which is the fuse box hidden behind the left end-cap of the dash, 20 amp. That powers the lighter as well as the power amplifier for the radio. I suspect the fuse is blown so the question is mainly will it blow again when you put in a new one. Check for debris in the lighter socket if that happens, and if that proves OK then it is either the horn circuit which is also powered by that fuse, or the radio power amp that is causing the overdraw on the fuse. So if it blows a bit later, then consider if the horn was used or the radio was functioning when it next blows out.
Roland
PS Thanks for the rating.
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QUESTION: Thanks! I looked at the fuse and it is OK. The lighter socket also looks to be clean. I even changed it with another and these items still don't work. Also, my horn does work. Is there anything else to check, outside of the actual wiring? I suppose that's a more difficult diagnosis and fix? Thanks!
ANSWER: Hi Bill,
There are two possible wiring places to inspect:
There are several plugs on the rear side of the junction block and a 16-pin gray plug on its pins 1 and 2 carry current from fuse 8 to the lighter socket and the radio on a red wire and a red/white wire, respectively. Those are fed directly from the nearby fuse 8 but you might want to check them nonetheless as there could be a open within the junction block proper.
The other possibility is that a common grounding point, for the radio case ground wire and for the lighter, is loose. It is located on the vertical instrument support bracket just to the right of the center-line of the vehicle, under the dash. If the ground wires weren't firmly bolted to the upright that would open the ground path that is needed for current to return to the battery.
Other than those possibilities I can't see what in common would cause both devices to fail when the fuse 8 and the horn are good.
Roland
PS Please feel free to give me a 'nomination' for expert of the month by again doing a 'rate' of this answer.
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QUESTION: Thanks, Roland. Just one more followup question. Can the junction box be removed or loosened to check the rear side as you have suggested? Thanks again!
AnswerYou can get to the back side of the junction block as follows:
Remove center bezel surrounding radio, etc.
Remove instrument cluster hood (tilt steering down, remove 2 screw adjacent to radio, remove screw below HVAC control,remove left end-cap, pull out hood from its 8 clips)
Remove left knee bolster.
Remove steering column cover.
Remove underdash silencer.
Connectors on junction block are then accessible for removal.
You then can remove the junction block/bcm by removing three screws that retain the block in position
You can also get to the lighter by doing the steps above, but instead of removing hood flex enough to get to 2 screws that hold 'cubby' in place and remove those screws and then the cubby. Then remove lighter socket.
