Wonky Wiring Jobs

[BinaryData]

Yo dudes!

Anyone here ever run across some wonky as hell wiring? I've got one for you, this one is hilariously sad.


Issue #1 - Rear Canopy brake light is directly wired to the battery. Not a huge deal, right? WRONG. All the lights INSIDE the canopy are daisy chained off of it!!

Issue #2 - Pulled over last night. Not a big deal, I was spending like crazy. Cop asked me what the hell was going on with my lights. Me? CLUELESS. Apparently, my license plate lights are wired to my freaking brake lights. NOT the driving lights, nope, the damn brake lights...

Issue #3 - I'm too fat to fit underneath my truck to undo the wiring right now. I'll have to wait till I visit my brother.


Why do dealerships allow this kinda crap?! It's a freaking safety issue!!! If there's a rant section, you could move it there, I didn't look too much for one.

 

[Tach_tech]

Did you just buy it from a dealer?

 

[BinaryData]

Did you just buy it from a dealer?

I bought it Nov 2017. So I've had it for a year now. It looks like it's had the default Mopar battery, unless it was changed with the same kind. I noticed my truck had a hard time turning over, so I figured it was time to swap them out.

 

[SitKneelBend]

I bought it Nov 2017. So I've had it for a year now. It looks like it's had the default Mopar battery, unless it was changed with the same kind. I noticed my truck had a hard time turning over, so I figured it was time to swap them out.

I think the question is, did you buy it used?

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[BinaryData]

I think the question is, did you buy it used?

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

Yeah, I don't buy new vehicles. Now, if this was pre-2000, you betcha I'd buy new. 1996 Ford F-150 brand new, oh man, I'd own that over a Dodge any day. Love that truck.

There's a lot of wonky wiring with it. Even the tow package has wonky wiring. I did something a bit sketchy, and backed my truck up over a ledge, so I could see underneath it. The tow package is directly wired to the lights in the back via wire splicing and ghetto tape (duct tape). Another project for me to fix. I thought all 2009+ Dodge 1500 and up had standard tow packages installed by default?

 

[Tach_tech]

Yeah, I don't buy new vehicles. Now, if this was pre-2000, you betcha I'd buy new. 1996 Ford F-150 brand new, oh man, I'd own that over a Dodge any day. Love that truck.

There's a lot of wonky wiring with it. Even the tow package has wonky wiring. I did something a bit sketchy, and backed my truck up over a ledge, so I could see underneath it. The tow package is directly wired to the lights in the back via wire splicing and ghetto tape (duct tape). Another project for me to fix. I thought all 2009+ Dodge 1500 and up had standard tow packages installed by default?

Tow packages are still an option on new trucks but will have factory 4 and 7 pin wiring. I’m not sure about it being factory from 09+ though. Sounds like someone did their own shady wiring on it.

 

[SitKneelBend]

I would honestly take it up with the dealership if they gave any kind of warranty or CPO...

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[TomT]

So you’ve had it for a year and never noticed that the previous owner was a chimpanzee who thought he knew how to do wiring?

 

[BinaryData]

Tow packages are still an option on new trucks but will have factory 4 and 7 pin wiring. I’m not sure about it being factory from 09+ though. Sounds like someone did their own shady wiring on it.

Yep. That's what it was.

I would honestly take it up with the dealership if they gave any kind of warranty or CPO...
Did this. Dealership said it wasn't their problem. It was "as is", nothing they can do without me paying out the ying-yang to fix it. Which I can do on my own, well with everyone's guidance and help here.
Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

So you’ve had it for a year and never noticed that the previous owner was a chimpanzee who thought he knew how to do wiring?

Wasn't an issue until I messed with the battery and noticed that the canopy lights were still on after my truck was shut off. I mean, this is hours AFTER I'd been in the truck. So it was some super ghetto wiring. Since my work contract ends next Friday, I plan on removing all the wiring from the canopy, and wiring it correctly.

 

[sbarron]

I'm REALLY struggling with the timeline here. So you had it for a year+ and all was good? Then you changed the battery and the canopy wiring, licence plate wiring, etc. all went wonky?

If you're asking for advice, we need to understand the process. If you're just ranting, carry on... lol

 

[BinaryData]

I'm REALLY struggling with the timeline here. So you had it for a year+ and all was good? Then you changed the battery and the canopy wiring, licence plate wiring, etc. all went wonky?

If you're asking for advice, we need to understand the process. If you're just ranting, carry on... lol

OK, let me explain this better.

I bought this truck Nov 2017. I haven't had any problems with the truck until last month when the Fuel Pump went out. While the fuel pump was out, they said my battery was shot, and I needed to replace it. Mostly the 12V was *****. I went to Les Schwab, picked up a battery. Went to swap battery and the terminals were on the wrong side. I put the old battery back in, and that's when I noticed that my canopy lights were on. Which they never were before, at least I never noticed. I started tracing the cables, and it went to my brake lights directly with some sketchy looking wiring. I traced what I could, directly back to the battery terminal. I have one cable running all the way from the back of my truck, to the front where the battery is at. I disconnected it, taped the positive end, and left it hanging. Now I have no canopy lights, and everything is fine. Well, until I got a new error code this morning, but that's irrelevant.

All I'm going to do is re-do that portion of wiring, and do it right. Dealership won't do crap.

 

[GIJoe2010]

All I'm going to do is re-do that portion of wiring, and do it right. Dealership won't do crap.

And that the truth.

 

[JohnnyMac]

So you’ve had it for a year and never noticed that the previous owner was a chimpanzee who thought he knew how to do wiring?

Easy now, haven't you ever heard that saying, "You can train a monkey to do that?" I feel like the wiring on the OPs truck would be better if a chimp did it...