front corner of the engine compartment, just behind
the battery. The PDC houses the generator cartridge
fuse and up to ten maxi-type cartridge fuses, which
replace all in-line fusible links. The PDC also houses
up to seven blade-type mini fuses, up to thirteen
International Standards Organization (ISO) relays
(one standard-type and twelve micro-type), two joint
connectors (one sixteen-way and one twenty-six-way)
and a sixteen-way engine wire harness in-line con-
nector.
The PDC housing is secured in the engine compart-
ment at three points. Integral mounts on the front
and inboard sides of the PDC housing engage and
latch to stanchions that are integral to the molded
plastic battery tray. An integral bracket on the rear
of the PDC housing is secured with a screw to the
top of the left front inner wheel house. The PDC
housing has a molded plastic cover that includes two
integral latches, one on each side. The PDC cover is
easily opened and removed for service access and has
a convenient fuse and relay layout map integral to
the inside surface of the cover to ensure proper com-
ponent identification.
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 two cables with
eyelets that are secured with nuts to the two B(+)
terminal studs located just inside the inboard side of
the PDC housing. The PDC cover is unlatched and
removed to access the battery and generator output
connection B(+) terminal studs, the fuses, the relays,
the joint connectors and the engine wire harness in-
line connector. Internal connection of all of the PDC
circuits is accomplished by an intricate combination
of hard wiring and bus bars. Refer to Power Distri-
bution in the index of this service manual for the
location of complete PDC circuit diagrams.
GENERATOR CARTRIDGE FUSE
DESCRIPTION
A 140 ampere generator cartridge fuse is used on
this model. The generator cartridge fuse is similar to
other cartridge fuses found in the Power Distribution
Center (PDC). This fuse has a color-coded plastic
housing and a clear plastic fuse conductor inspection
cover like other cartridge fuses, but has a higher cur-
rent rating and is connected and secured with screws
instead of being pushed onto male spade-type termi-
nals. The generator cartridge fuse cannot be repaired
and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.
OPERATION
The generator cartridge fuse is secured between
the two B(+) terminal stud connection bus bars
within the Power Distribution Center (PDC). This
fuse protects the vehicle electrical system from dam-
age that could be caused by excessive charging sys-
tem output and/or excessive electrical system current
levels resulting from a faulty generator or faulty
charging system control circuits. If the current rating
of the fuse is exceeded, the fuse conductor melts to
open the generator output circuit connection to the
PDC. If a generator cartridge fuse fails, be certain to
completely inspect and test the vehicle charging sys-
tem before replacing the fuse and returning the vehi-
cle to service. Refer to Charging System in the
index of this service manual for the charging system
diagnostic procedures. Refer to Power Distribution
in the index of this service manual for the location of
complete PDC circuit diagrams.
JUNCTION BLOCK
DESCRIPTION
An electrical Junction Block (JB) is concealed
behind the left outboard end of the instrument panel
cover (Fig. 2). The JB serves to simplify and central-
ize numerous electrical components, and to distribute
electrical current to many of the accessory systems in
the vehicle. It also eliminates the need for numerous
splice connections and serves in place of a bulkhead
connector between many of the engine compartment,
instrument panel, and body wire harnesses. The JB
Fig. 2 Junction Block Location
1 – FUSE ACCESS PANEL
2 – JUNCTION BLOCK
3 – INSTRUMENT PANEL
8O - 2
POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
DN
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)