1996 Dodge Intrepid ENGINE CONTROL FUSE

ABELC

MEMBER
1996 DODGE INTREPID
196,000 MILES

IN MY POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX, I KEEP BLOWING THE LETTER ''B'' FUSE, WHICH I THINK IS THE EC FUSE. PRIOR TO THE CAR DOING THIS, THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT ABOUT 70 MPH AND WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL TO COAST. THEN AT ABOUT 55 MPH, IT WAS PUT BACK INTO DRIVE AND INSTEAD OF IT GOING INTO FORTH GEAR, IT SLAMMED INTO SECOND. NOW THE VEHICLE SHIFTS ONLY FIRST AND SECOND, BUT NO THIRD OR FORTH. AND TO TOP IT OFF THE EC FUSE KEEPS BLOWING OUT. COULD IT BE POSSIBLE THAT SOMETHING MIGHT HAVE BUSTED IN THE TRANNY? OH, AND I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT WHEN I DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND GO TO RECONNECT IT AGAIN, THE EATX RELAY #9 CLICKS AND THE KEY IS NOT EVEN TURNED ON. IS THERE ANY WAY THAT YOU CAN HELP ME OUT WITH THIS? I AM DROPPING THE TRANS PAN TOMORROW TO SEE IF ANYTHING LOOKS BAD IN THE MEANTIME. THANK YOU.

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

You aren't going to find broken parts by removing the transmission pan.

Defaulting to second gear and staying there is "limp mode" which allows you to drive slowly to a repair shop without needing a tow truck. Once it goes to limp mode there will be a diagnostic fault code in the Transmission Computer identifying the circuit or system with a problem that needs further diagnosis. It's important to not disconnect the battery or let it run dead, and to not disconnect the computer. Doing either will erase the code(s) and you'll lose that valuable information.

A simple trick to finding a short is to replace the blown fuse with a pair of spade terminals, then use small jumper wires to connect them to a 12 volt light bulb. A brake light bulb works well. When the circuit is live and the short is present, the bulb will be full brightness and hot so be sure it's not laying on the carpet or against a plastic door panel. Now you can unplug electrical connectors and move things around to see what makes the short go away. When it does, the bulb will get dim or go out.