How hard is it to replace a wiring harness on a 2000 Dodge Neon?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jonathan G
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Jonathan G

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Just recently the tail lights, parking lights, and gauge cluster lights went out on my car (headlights, brake lights, and fog lights still work). If I jiggled the handle enough, they would come back on. Now they don't come on at all. I bought a new multi-function switch (controls all external lights, and gauge lights) and took the old one out (hoping this would be the problem). I disconnected the wires to find out that the wire connector for the lights was black and melted on one side (absolutely scorched). I was wondering the best thing to do from here. Is it caused by a bad switch (car is 10 years old and has 171,000 miles), is it faulty wiring, or is it something more sinister?
any help or suggestions would be amazing!!!
 
Well a faulty switch or internally shorted switch could of caused the wire to melt and eventually short out or internally brake, also a frayed or bare wire at the fuse box or in the harness could of caused this sort of problem too.
What I do is trace the damaged wire then replace all the wires I find that have been burnt etc one by one with the exact same gauge of wire.
You can buy the same gauge of wire at a parts store or just go to a do it yourself auto wreckers and try to either get another wiring harness like that or cut some wire the same gauge, colour and lenghth if possible.
There are heathink sealant wiring tubes that you can buy that you can use once you cut the old wire off that you simply slide over the wire and add a new wire then soldier the wires , allow to cool down then slide the tube over and you can melt the tube by sliding a lighter along its total surface.
I believe that the wire you're talking about probably is the cause of you problems so try tracing it and replacing it then see from there but rem to check all the wiring going to the switch, plus be sure to check the interior fuse box for melting issues and also check the under the hood fuse box too.

Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way one of my specialities is auto electrical systems and wiring and it help you to have a basic wiring diagram if at all possible and some dealerships will print out such info for free or you can get a service manual that offers such info.
 
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