Electrical Ghosts

aarbehr · Nov 15, 2014

Hey All,
Last night I bought a 2000 Durango SLT w/ 5.9. The previous owner told me of some of the issues I'm about to explain, but the price was right, and I really love these trucks, so I pulled the trigger anyhow.
1) The stereo intermittently turns off. The unit goes dead, only to come back in a few minutes.
2) The driver's side seat heater doesn't function. (Haven't confirmed this one, the prior owner told me about it.)
3) This is new and the one that is causing me immediate worry --The turn signals stopped working completely. No indicator on the dash or anything. Click up - Nothing. Click down - Nothing.
I am thinking it is a ground someplace, but as I have ZERO knowledge of electrics when it comes to autos, I'm at a bit of a loss as to where to start looking.
Any insight is greatly appreciated!

TazRango · Nov 15, 2014

Welcome to the site!

First, are we talking about a factory deck or aftermarket? Does it have a tape deck?

Are the seat heaters factory? AFAIK they weren't an option until 2001, so if they are factory, they would most likely be transplants.. And also if they are factory, the LED in the switch should blink a trouble code if it isn't working right. Most common issue is a broken butt element.

Turn signals could be a blown fuse or bad flasher. Do your hazards work? I can't tell you which fuse it is because real life rarely matches up with the service manual as far as what fuse is in what slot.. But it will be in the fuse box on the side of the dash. The label on the cover will tell you which one it is. Don't test fuses with your eyeballs either. Use a multimeter or fuse tester.

aarbehr · Nov 16, 2014

Thanks for the response. So--Scratch the seat heater issue. He told me this in email, but I don't see any controls for a seat heater.
Did I mention I bought this less than 24 hours ago?
As far as the blinker/stereo issue...I checked the fuses under the hood and they "look" fine, but my mult-imeter is currently loaned out. I did not check under the dash.
Today, I started the truck and the stereo was functioning. I tested the blinkers, they worked. Next, the stereo powered down and I immediately tested the blinkers and they didn't work. I tapped the top of the dash and the stereo and blinkers went on for a moment.
Does this new information point to anything? The two issues are clearely connected, I REALLY hope I don't have to get behind the dash!
Thanks again for the resply and in advance for any additional insight!
-Aaron

aarbehr · Nov 16, 2014

Factory Stereo - No tape deck.
Also, the hazard lights DO work.

aarbehr · Nov 17, 2014

Figured it out. It was a problem with the ignition switch.

hskrRT · Nov 18, 2014

I was going to suggest ignition, glad you figured it out.

aarbehr · Nov 18, 2014

Thanks a lot!

Electrical Ghosts

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TazRango

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aarbehr

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hskrRT

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