Help please Dodge Caravan

OK.

I have a 500 mile old Dodge Caravan SXT with dropped floor conversion and
lift for a wheelchair etc.

Now I live in the UK so it had to have a rear fog lamp to cvomply with the
rules.

This is connected somewhere under the dash, and it was a crappy cheap switch
so I decided to fit a better neater one. Trouble is that I connected the
wires wrongly and when I switched it on the engine which was idling,
stopped. Also its now stuck in park, cannot be cranked and half the dash
display temp, fuel etc does not work.

So I though fuse as you do.. Under the bonnet and all fuses checked! No
blown ones...

Everything, blowers, radio, door/other lights on instruments like oil and
water work as do lights doors, locking, etc.

Any ideas people? I cant get it to a dealer, it cant be the ignition switch
because when turned to on stuff still happens! Just not the important stuff.
Help!

 

I'd start by disconnecting the switch you just connected.

 

Well obviously I did that.

 

There could be more fuses scattered around. Did you check the manual for
underdash fuses?

 

I strongly suggest two things:
(1) Get accurate schematics specific to that vehicle (if you don't have
an FSM, pay $25 for a year's subscription at www.alldata.com -
schematics there are complete and right out of the FSM.
(2) Use a multimeter along with the schematics to find out where the
problem is.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Yeah. They have one small fuse block behind the lower dash panel below & to
the left of the steering column (at least, on a left-hand drive) and a much
larger one (called a "power distribution center") under the hood near the
battery. If all the fuses check out, look in a schematic to see if there's a
"fusible link" (a sort of master fuse that disconnects the entire system)
anywhere...

[I make it a matter of faith to never buy a vehicle -- especially a new
one -- without ponying up for a factory shop manual. You'd be amazed by what
you'll read that the mechanics don't know...]