Need help finding a fuse box diagram

[nboy22]

Hey everyone,

I've got an issue with my 2002 Dodge Stratus blowing the 20A fuse for the starter. I know which fuse it is because the first time this happened, I took it to a mechanic and they figured out it was the fuse and replaced it. It worked fine for 2 months and now the problem is back and happens every few days. I want to start small on the repairs, and then replace the starter if the issue persists, but to start out I want to replace the starter relay. The problem is that the fuse panel, also known as the "Power Distribution Center," has no labels of what the actual fuses/relays do. I have a Haynes manual for the car, as well as the car manual, and there's no diagrams that show what each fuse and relay is for.

Is there some sort of website or other resource I could find a diagram of the fuses and relays in that panel? I find it ridiculous that it's so hard to find.

 

[thescreensavers]

nvm, quick google and could not find it.

 

[nboy22]

nvm, quick google and could not find it.

It's easy to find the interior fuse panel diagram, and also the wiring diagram for the stereo, but for some reason there's almost no documentation on the Power Distribution Center.

 

[IcePickFreak]

The cover should reference what's what. I tend to stay away from Chryslers, but I believe they just list numbers on the cover that correspond to a chart in the owners manual.

If they totally leave you hanging, well that's Chrysler for ya. I personally liked when they didn't put a schrader valve on the fuel rail and instead would sell you a $60 kit that's essentially a T fitting that you install by the fuel rail (so yeah, have to rip half the intake apart and depressurize the fuel system) so you could use the schrader valve on the third leg of the T. D:

 

[HarryLui]

Did you look underneath the cover of the power distribution center?
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&...=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1280&bih=843

If the fuse goes, you have a short.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.dodge.com/en/owners/manuals/index.html

The 2004 Stratus manual seems to show all of the fuses.

 

[nboy22]

http://www.dodge.com/en/owners/manuals/index.html

The 2004 Stratus manual seems to show all of the fuses.

Sweet man, that mayyy just work. It looks very very similar to the fuse panel/power distribution center I have. Number 8 matches my Number 8, which is the start/fuel fuse. That means I just need to replace the starter relay which is number 27. Thanks a lot!

As for the other questions, yes I checked the lid of the Power distribution center, but all it has is numbers. The owner's manual only lists a diagram for the interior fuse panel, and the haynes manual is also no help in this situation. Also, I don't believe that this is a short, but rather either the starter relay wearing out, or the starter solenoid is wearing out, and is trying to pull too much current on that circuit, which explains why the fuse blows about every 10 times my car is started. I just want to start small replacing things because it's cheaper. No sense in replacing a starter if it's just the starter relay, I used the haynes manual to figure out that there's only the starter relay and the starter on that particular circuit.

 

[5150MyU]

Fuse 8 goes to the starter relay,fuel pump relay,and the ignition switch.
The ignition switch uses that fuse in the start and run positions.

 

[nboy22]

Fuse 8 goes to the starter relay,fuel pump relay,and the ignition switch.
The ignition switch uses that fuse in the start and run positions.

There's three things that may need to be replaced, and yes those are the three.

I will replace relay first, and then if that doesn't work, I'm almost sure it's the starter, and not the ignition switch. It seems to be a common problem where the starter is dying, and pulls too many amps, which ends up blowing the fuse.

 

[5150MyU]

Most likely you're right, I was just giving a heads up that there is other stuff on that circuit.
Please let us(me) know what you find.

 

[nboy22]

Most likely you're right, I was just giving a heads up that there is other stuff on that circuit.
Please let us(me) know what you find.

Will do! Thanks for the help! It might take a few days/weeks to figure out where the problem is since it happens so randomly.

 

[LTC8K6]

It would be the starter solenoid that's pulling too much current, not the starter motor itself. The starter itself probably pulls well over 150 amps normally. There's no fuse for that.

 

[nboy22]

It would be the starter solenoid that's pulling too much current, not the starter motor itself. The starter itself probably pulls well over 150 amps normally. There's no fuse for that.

Right, you're correct. When I was saying starter I just meant starter solenoid.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

If you're keeping the car, might I recommend a factory service manual? They're on eBay and shouldn't be more than $20+shipping. I got one for my car and it's been invaluable.

One listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002...ptZMotorsQ5fManualsQ5fLiterature#ht_499wt_957

 

[nboy22]

If you're keeping the car, might I recommend a factory service manual? They're on eBay and shouldn't be more than $20+shipping. I got one for my car and it's been invaluable.

One listing:

Thanks for the suggestion. I would purchase it, but I really don't plan on keeping the car too much longer, maybe a year or two. It's been such a piece of shit almost the whole time I've owned it, wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

 

[nboy22]

Replaced the relay for the starter circuit yesterday and on the very first try the fuse blew again. I'll be replacing the starter very soon.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

Thanks for the suggestion. I would purchase it, but I really don't plan on keeping the car too much longer, maybe a year or two. It's been such a piece of shit almost the whole time I've owned it, wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Maybe selling it with a set of service manuals will help then... :biggrin:

 

[nboy22]

Maybe selling it with a set of service manuals will help then... :biggrin:

hahahaha, so true, it probably would after someone sees the carfax report on this hunk of junk.

I can't wait to buy a Honda or Toyota

 

[5150MyU]

Hopefully the starter wil fix it-good luck!