Failed 60Amp Fuse Array

[MichaelRyan54]

Hi All, this is a loaded post so I apologize in advance. Any valuable inout is appreciated. I’m getting 0 Volts out of N1 and N3 on my fuse array. Can anybody explain further what N1 and N3 are? I’ve been having electrical issues for the last few weeks now and I’m currently getting no power to the dash. I’ve changed this fuse already 6 months ago and now Im back to replacing it again.

3 weeks back, My 3.6 JL shut off on me at a red light and the tow truck driver couldn’t jump it. Went to the mechanic and the mechanic suggested both new batteries. The batteries were swapped and the jeep turned on great for about 10 minutes until it flashed a battery light and shutoff. The mechanics Diagnosed it as a Bad PDC. I brought it home to look at it myself. The first thing I did was delete the aux battery entirely and remove ESS fuse.
The main battery was recharged at home and the jeep ran fine for about 20 minutes until again it shutoff. Upon inspection the battery was drained again. Since it shutoff, the dash went dark even with a recharged battery. On N1 and N3 I’m getting zero volts and I’m getting 13.0V at the alternator with the car obviously off. Where do I go from here? It sounds like alternator and fuse block need to be replaced asap.

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[ScotM]

Good move deleting the aux battery, all that messing around with jumping and battery replacement could have easily shorted out the the fuse array again. I would start simple, make sure the aux cable is wrapped and tied off. Charge up the main, replace the fuse array- with the battery disconnected obviously, and try again. There obviously could be bigger issues, but either way so many hands monkeying around in the cables and batteries, I would just do a reset. Then if that doesn’t work move forward on bigger issues.

 

[Reinen]

The Aux battery doesn't short out the fuse array.
Careless cable management while changing batteries shorts out the fuse array. Nearly all fuse array issues is human carelessness.

 

[ScotM]

The Aux battery doesn't short out the fuse array.
Careless cable management while changing batteries shorts out the fuse array. Nearly all fuse array issues is human carelessness.

That’s what I was attempting to convey, all those people messing around with the cables could have touched something they shouldn’t have and poof.

 

[THAW]

If you're putting the 2 multimeter probes on N1 and N3, 0 Volts is the appropriate reading; there's no electrical potential between them because they're essentially attached to either end of the same wire.

With the AUX (ESS) battery ground disconnected, if you're putting one multimeter probe on N1 or N3 and the other probe on a body ground, 0 Volts likely means the N3 fuse is blown.

 

[alphawolff]

The Aux battery doesn't short out the fuse array.
Careless cable management while changing batteries shorts out the fuse array. Nearly all fuse array issues is human carelessness.

As a dealer tech that sees 99% of fuse arrays blow during stop start events, I can say with confidence you're incorrect here.

You're logic is sound, but you need to understand we're dealing with Stellantis using the cheapest possible components.

the mechanics Diagnosed it as a Bad PDC.

sigh. Good help is so hard to find these days. The Z-case fuse blew because it's a pile of shit, it kills your aux battery once blown as the primary becomes isolated. Replace the fuse (THE Z-CASE FUSE ARRAY), aux battery (or delete it), and you're good as new. I generally replace both batteries because the primary is coming out to replace the aux anyway.

If you're feeling lazy just take N3 and slam it onto the empty N4/N2 slot. It'll work just fine in a pinch so long as the aux isn't totally flat.

 

[MichaelRyan54]

Replace the fuse (THE Z-CASE FUSE ARRAY), aux battery (or delete it), and you're good as new

Sounds great, thank you so much. I’m going to replace my Fuse array and go from there. I’m suspicious of the alternator too, any guidance on the voltage I should be looking for on the alternator stud while the jeep is in idle? Thanks again!

 

[Reinen]

As a dealer tech that sees 99% of fuse arrays blow during stop start events, I can say with confidence you're incorrect here.

As a dealer tech you will only see people who won't even change their own batteries. I can say with confidence you will rarely see anyone who blew their fuse array while changing batteries. They will diagnose and replace it themselves, outside of your perspective.

 

[redsyphon]

I keep a spare fuse array in the glove box. It's super cheap insurance. But two arrays. Replace the blown one and keep another one handy for down the line.

 

[mwilk012]

Sounds great, thank you so much. I’m going to replace my Fuse array and go from there. I’m suspicious of the alternator too, any guidance on the voltage I should be looking for on the alternator stud while the jeep is in idle? Thanks again!

Don’t even look at it.

 

[mwilk012]

As a dealer tech you will only see people who won't even change their own batteries. I can say with confidence you will rarely see anyone who blew their fuse array while changing batteries. They will diagnose and replace it themselves, outside of your perspective.

Lmfao, no. The amount of stupidity I see every day caused by owners is enough to drive me insane.

 

[Reinen]

Lmfao, no. The amount of stupidity I see every day caused by owners is enough to drive me insane.

You do realize the amount of Jeep owners who would never step foot in a dealership's service dept, even if the work is free?

 

[mwilk012]

You do realize the amount of Jeep owners who would never step foot in a dealership's service dept, even if the work is free?

A very, very small percentage. I think you are falling for the classic “everyone is just like me” way of thinking. The vast majority of jeeps are driven entirely on the road by people who have no business opening the hood at all.

 

[Reinen]

A very, very small percentage. I think you are falling for the classic “everyone is just like me” way of thinking. The vast majority of jeeps are driven entirely on the road by people who have no business opening the hood at all.

My point exactly. The people you speak of will never replace their batteries on their own and will never blow their fuse array in the process. You simply won't see that. You'll see every other way to blow the fuse array, but not that way.

It's not "everyone is just like me". It's "everyone I know", and none of them think a battery replacement requires a dealership visit. Blowing the fuse array in the process is a common thing. Almost a rite of passage. They also live and learn, replacing the fuse array themselves so you wont see that either.

I understand people do buy Jeeps, use them like cars and run to the dealership for the slightest of issues. I don't know those people. They're your problem and also your limited perspective.

 

[alphawolff]

My point exactly. The people you speak of will never replace their batteries on their own and will never blow their fuse array in the process. You simply won't see that. You'll see every other way to blow the fuse array, but not that way.

It's not "everyone is just like me". It's "everyone I know", and none of them think a battery replacement requires a dealership visit. Blowing the fuse array in the process is a common thing. Almost a rite of passage. They also live and learn, replacing the fuse array themselves so you wont see that either.

I understand people do buy Jeeps, use them like cars and run to the dealership for the slightest of issues. I don't know those people. They're your problem and also your limited perspective.

I don't think it's physically possible to blow the fuse array during replacement unless you go through the wheel well and touch both terminals together while the primary is still connected.

You do realize the amount of Jeep owners who would never step foot in a dealership's service dept, even if the work is free?

You bring your Jeep to me because you can't fix it. That's why you go to the dealership. I see enough of these vehicles to diagnose 95% of all vehicles strictly from the repair order's customer complaint. You're paying me for my experience in knowing what the hell is going on, because I've seen it already. Just like I've seen dozens upon dozens of blown fuse arrays from customers who don't even know how to open their hood, let alone short and blow it.

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