QuestionQUESTION: My problem started when starting the car -- the speedometer, odometer, power lcoks and A/C did not work, but I could drive the car. Autozone told us to change the fuse which controlled these functions; we changed the fuse, and it corrected the problem for about three weeks. Then, the car would not start one day. We changed the same fuse again and nothing happened this time. We tapped the left of the dash and the car started, but the speedometer, odometer, locks and air conditioning did not work; we drove it 2 miles or so and the air bag light came on, after which I heard a chime, and the speedometer, odometer, locks and air conditioning started working. We used it once more but now parked it and are afraid to use it. Can you advise of the problem or suggest something for us to try? Thank you.
ANSWER: Hi Fred,
Do you happen to recall which fuse you changed out originally? I am a bit disadvantaged by only having the '96 wiring diagrams which I am assuming also apply to your '99. Did that fuse blow twice now?
I assume, if so, that whatever is drawing on that fuse is overdrawing the current beyond its limit so that would be worth looking into.
The speedo, odo, door locks definitely are mediated by the digital data bus and body computer. In the '96 manual however the a/c doesn't seem to need that data to operate so that is why I ask. Also, which aspect of the A/C doesn't work (compressor, blower, distribution of air)?
Tapping on the dash often is associated with a problem between the data bus wires and the cluster printed circuit board (usually an open solder joint between the socket for the plug and the printed circuit), so you might want to heat the joints up with a soldering pencil at the plug interfaces.
Finally, how about getting a free fault code readout at an Autozone parts store, or at an independent shop for around $40? A code that would tell us why might come forward. If you do so, ask for the 4-digit numbers, what they mean, what they recommend, and for how much $. Then let me know and we can compare that to the shop manuals.
Roland
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QUESTION: We changed underhood fuse number 9 (10 amp). With respect to the A/C, the blower does not work. Nothing came out. Also, I forgot to mention that the gas gauge did not work either when the problem manifested. Do you have any further advice before I go to Autozone for a fault code readout? Thanks.
AnswerHi Fred,
Fuse 9 is powering the door lock circuits controlled via the body computer so that makes sense. The balance of the issues I still see the same, related to the digital data circuit for the instrument cluster function and probably a loose connection at the circuit board/plug interface. Let us see what codes you get and go from there. The blower motor needs to have fuse 1 30A in the underdash box and fuse 16 40A in the box under the hood for it to work.
Roland
