Chrysler Repair: 1994 town and county main engine fuse, fuse box, gauge package


Question
QUESTION: 1994 town and county dash lights and gauges do not work I found a fuse blown that is marked ( main engine) when replaced it keeps blowing do you think it is a computer problem or wiring problem or maybe even both. Also the radio lights but will not play is this on the same circuit?

ANSWER: Hi Daniel,
Can you describe where the fuse is located? Is it in the box under hood or the box under the dash? And within the box, can you describe where it is located or a number for the fuse socket in which it is located? How many amps does the fuse handle? That would be very helpful to me in analyzing this. Does the van otherwise run OK? Which engine do you have in the van? And when you say the dash lights don't work, do you also mean the lighting for the ac/heater controls don't work? And are the gauges all out (including the speedo) as well as the warning lights? Thanks for getting the details as I can give you a better answer by knowing more.
Roland


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QUESTION: The fuse is a 15 amp mini fuse located under the hood in the fuse box.Standing in front of the vehicle the fuse box is on the right and the fuse is in the middle row closest to the cowl. The van has a 3.8 engine and a  gauge package oil/ water etc. all the lights and gauges in the cluster do not work I even used a flashlight when the unit is running and gauges do not work. The rest of the lights around the cluster do work including the  radio and the strip across the top of the dash . The interior lights (ceiling) and radio (music) do not work but the light on the radio does. The windows work as well as the rear door latch but not the front door locks or side door lock.unit runs good for hi mileage 163522

ANSWER: Hi Daniel,
That is the fuse that provides current to both the engine controller and automatic shutdown relay. Either of those could be the cause of the fuse blowing. The ASD is energized when you turn the ignition key to 'run' and that would send current to the fuel injectors, the coils of the alternator, and the spark coil pack, any one of which could be shorted to ground. On the other hand, the engine controller gets current from the fuse with the ignition switch 'off'. So I would wonder if the fuse blows as soon as you put it in (which would suggest the problem is a shorted controller) or does it blow when you turn the key to run (which suggests the problem is in either the alernator, the spark coil pack, or the injector circuit. The rest of the issues (interior lights, radio, etc.) are a separate matter. If the fuse blows only after you turn the switch to "run", then remove the automatic shutdown relay (front relay on the in-board row) and try turning the switch to run (and it should not blow with the ASD out). Then let me know what the results are.
Roland

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QUESTION: I believe the problem is the engine controler can you give me a hint on it's location and size or shape.

Answer
Hi Daniel,
It is on the driver side inner fender, near the front of the engine compartment. It has a 60-pin plug. It is rectangular in overall shape and longer in the front-to-back direction, and located just in front of the power distribution box, also on the inner fender
Roland