ponents used on this model as well as the methods in
which battery voltage and charging system voltage is
distributed throughout the vehicle. The power distri-
bution system for this vehicle consists of the follow-
ing major components which are covered in further
detail later in this section:

• Fuseblock #1
• Fuseblock #2
• Power Distribution Center (PDC)
The power distribution system also incorporates

various types of circuit control and protection fea-
tures, including:

• Automatic resetting circuit breakers
• Blade-type fuses
• Cartridge fuses
• Relays
Following are general descriptions and theory of

operation for the major components in the power dis-
tribution system. Refer to Wiring for the location of
complete circuit diagrams for the various power dis-
tribution system components.

OPERATION

The power distribution system for this vehicle is

designed to provide safe, reliable, and centralized dis-
tribution points for the electrical current required to
operate all of the standard and optional factory-in-
stalled electrical and powertrain, chassis, safety,
security and convenience systems. At the same time,
the power distribution system was designed to pro-
vide easy access to these electrical distribution points
for the vehicle technician to use when conducting
diagnosis and repair of faulty circuits. The power dis-
tribution system can also prove useful for the addi-
tion of electrical circuits that may be required to
operate accessories that the vehicle owner may
choose to have installed in the aftermarket.

CIGAR LIGHTER OUTLET

DESCRIPTION

The cigar lighter outlet is installed in the instru-

ment panel, near the center of the instrument panel.
The cigar lighter outlet is secured by a snap fit
within the instrument panel.

The cigar lighter knob/heating element, and the

cigar lighter outlet are available for service. These
components cannot be repaired and, if faulty or dam-
aged, they must be replaced.

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OPERATION

The cigar lighter consists of two major components:

a knob and heating element unit, and the cigar
lighter base or receptacle shell. The receptacle shell
is connected to ground, and an insulated contact in
the bottom of the shell is connected to battery cur-
rent. The cigar lighter receives battery voltage from a
fuse in the fuseblock only when the ignition switch is
in the Accessory or On positions.

The knob and heating element are encased within

a spring-loaded housing, which also features a sliding
protective heat shield. When the heating element is
inserted in the receptacle shell, the heating element
resistor coil is grounded through its housing to the
receptacle shell. If the cigar lighter knob is pushed
inward, the heat shield slides up toward the knob
exposing the heating element.

Two small spring-clip retainers are located on

either side of the insulated contact inside the bottom
of the receptacle shell. These clips engage and hold
the heating element against the insulated contact
long enough for the resistor coil to heat up and glow.

When the resistor coil becomes sufficiently heated,

excess heat radiates from the heating element caus-
ing the spring-clips to expand. Once the spring-clips
expand far enough to release the heating element,
the spring-loaded housing forces the knob and heat-
ing element to pop back outward to their relaxed
position. When the cigar lighter knob and element
are pulled out of the receptacle shell, the protective
heat shield slides downward on the housing so that
the heating element is recessed and shielded around
its circumference for safety.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CIGAR LIGHTER
OUTLET

For cigar lighter outlet diagnosis and testing pro-

cedures (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/POWER DISTRI-
BUTION/POWER

OUTLET

DIAGNOSIS

AND

TESTING)

REMOVAL

For cigar lighter outlet removal procedure (Refer to

8 - ELECTRICAL/POWER DISTRIBUTION/POWER
OUTLET - REMOVAL).

CIRCUIT BREAKER

DESCRIPTION

Automatic resetting circuit breakers are used to

protect the power window voltage supply circuits.
These circuit breakers can protect the systems from a
short circuit, or from an overload condition caused by

an obstructed or stuck power window regulator or
switch.

The circuit breaker cannot be repaired and, if

faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.

OPERATION

The circuit breaker contains a bi-metal strip sand-

wiched between two contacts forming the connection
in the circuit. An overload condition causes the
bi-metal strip to heat and bend to the open position,
disconnecting current flow to the circuit. Then as the
system overload or short circuit is removed, the
bi-metal strip cools, re-establishing contact to allow
current flow to the circuit.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CIRCUIT BREAKER

For complete circuit descriptions and diagrams,

refer to Wiring.

(1) Locate the correct circuit breaker in the fuse-

block. Pull out the circuit breaker slightly, but be cer-
tain that the circuit breaker terminals still contact
the terminals in the fuseblock cavities.

(2) Connect the negative lead of a 12-volt DC volt-

meter to a good ground.

(3) With the voltmeter positive lead, check both

terminals of the circuit breaker for battery voltage.

If only one terminal has battery voltage, the circuit

breaker is faulty and must be replaced. If neither ter-
minal has battery voltage, repair the open circuit
from the Power Distribution Center as required.

FUSE BLOCK #1

DESCRIPTION

An electrical fuse block is concealed under the

driver side steering column. The fuse block serves to
distribute electrical current to many of the electrical
systems in the vehicle. The fuse block contains blade-
type mini fuses, relays and micro processors that
enable automatic control of some of the power distri-
bution circuits throughout the vehicle.

The molded plastic fuse block housing has an inte-

gral mounting bracket that is secured with screws to
the steering column. A finger recess is molded into
the cover for easy removal. A fuse layout map is
molded onto the back side of the cover to ensure
proper fuse identification.

The fuse block cannot be repaired, if the fuse block

is faulty or damaged or if any internal circuit is
faulty or damaged, the entire fuse block must be
replaced.

8W - 97 - 2

8W-97 POWER DISTRIBUTION

OPERATION

All of the circuits entering and leaving the fuse

block do so through the instrument panel wire har-
ness. Internal connection of all of the fuse block cir-
cuits is accomplished by an intricate combination of
hard wiring and bus bars. Internal relays and micro
processors allow the vehicle electronics to control
some of the power distribution circuits throughout
the vehicle. Refer to the Wiring section for complete
circuit diagrams.

REMOVAL

(1) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery

cable.

(2) Remove fuse block cover by rotating locking

screw 90°.

(3) Remove the steering column cover. Refer to the

Body section for the procedure.

(4) Unscrew fuse block connections and disconnect

all electrical connectors from the fuse block.

(5) Remove the fuse block from the steering col-

umn.

INSTALLATION

(1) Position the fuse block in the steering column.
(2) Install fuse block connections and connect all

electrical connectors on the fuse block.

(3) Install the steering column cover. Refer to the

Body section for the procedure.

(4) Install fuse block cover by rotating locking

screw 90°.

(5) Connect the negative battery cable.
(6) Set time and radio stations.

FUSE BLOCK #2

DESCRIPTION

An electrical fuse block is concealed under the

driver side front seat. The fuse block serves to dis-
tribute electrical current to many of the electrical
systems in the vehicle. The fuse block houses blade-
type mini fuses, blade-type automatic resetting cir-
cuit

breakers

and

International

Standards

Organization relays. Additional provisions are avail-
able in the fuse block for additional fuses and ISO
relays.

The molded plastic fuse block housing has an inte-

gral mounting bracket that is secured with screws to
the seat base. The driver side seat base also has a
snap-fit fuse access panel that can be removed for
service of the fuses and the relays. A finger recess is
molded into one end for easy removal. A fuse layout
map is molded onto the back side of the panel to
ensure proper fuse identification.

The fuse block is integral to the body wire harness.

If any internal circuit or the fuse block housing is

faulty or damaged, the entire fuse block and body
wire harness unit must be replaced.

OPERATION

All of the circuits entering and leaving the fuse

block do so through the body wire harness. Internal
connection of all of the fuse block circuits is accom-
plished by an intricate combination of hard wiring
and bus bars.

POWER DISTRIBUTION CEN-
TER

DESCRIPTION

All of the electrical current distributed throughout

this vehicle is directed through the Power Distribu-
tion Center (PDC). The molded plastic PDC housing
is located in the left front corner of the engine com-
partment, on the battery positive cable. The PDC
housing has a molded plastic cover that slides over
the PDC housing. The PDC cover is easily opened or
removed for service access.

The PDC unit cannot be repaired and is only ser-

viced as a unit with the headlamp and dash wire
harness. If the internal circuits or the PDC housing
are faulty or damaged, the headlamp and dash wire
harness unit must be replaced.

OPERATION

All of the current from the battery and the gener-

ator output enters the PDC through the positive bat-
tery cable. The PDC cover is removed to access the
battery and generator output connection B(+) termi-
nal studs. Internal connection of all of the PDC cir-
cuits is accomplished by an intricate combination of
hard wiring and bus bars. Refer to Wiring Diagrams
for the location of complete PDC circuit diagrams.

POWER OUTLET

DESCRIPTION

The power outlet is installed in the instrument

panel accessory switch plate, which is located near
the center of the instrument panel. The power outlet
base is secured by a snap fit within the instrument
panel. A plastic protective cap snaps over the power
outlet base when the power outlet is not being used.

While the power outlet is very similar to a cigar

lighter base unit, it does not include the two small
spring-clip retainers inside the bottom of the recepta-
cle shell that are used to secure the cigar lighter
heating element to the insulated contact.

The power outlet receptacle unit are available for

service. The power outlet receptacle cannot be

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