Ram 3500 Cab & Chassi: The Hunt For The Broken Wire

In this video I bring you along as I have a look at a customers Ram 3500 with the big hemi that was dropped off with the money light on. I took a look at it to discover it was missing power to the fuel tank pressure sensor. Now it is a matter of determining if it is the PCM or broken wire.
-Enjoy!

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[andrewjohn]

Using hose to prevent abrasion is a great idea - highly recommended. I use it all the time and keep a bin of various sizes of old hoses I've removed from cars (free stuff - better still :).
QUICK TIP: Spiral cutting the hose with a utility knife and then wrapping it around the harness has the following advantages:
A. It works to transition 'Ys' in the harness. And two spiral cut hoses can be interwoven to cover the junction of branches in a harness.
B. A spiral cut hose won't retain water like a split hose might if the cut was on the upper side.
C. A spiral cut hose stays in place on tight bends without tape or zip ties.
D. The hose doesn't need to be the 'right size'. A hose with an ID smaller than the OD of the harness can still work.
E. And spiral cut hoses can be used to hold a harness together temporarily while troubleshooting, testing, or rewiring. When done, you can be taping up the harness while unwinding the spiral, saving the need for an extra hand. (Keep it around for the next time)

[scottsmrcka]

I own a tire and repair shop in a small northwestern PA town. We repair many a farmers tire on a daily basis. We do their repairs at a minimal profit just to help keep them going. There aren’t a lot of the true family farms left. We need to do our part to keep them farming.

[YaksAttack]

Eric I don't think you're ability to find broken wires is uncanny. You have years of experience and are obviously very methodical and logical in your approach. Love the videos

[Mountain-Man-]

I love these hunts for broken wires. Gives me hope I'll be able to find the mystery electrical issues I get.

[rmr]

Thanks Eric for the uncanny ability to find broken wires because this helps to offset the hordes of "mechanics" who cause unmitigated mayhem by not securing wiring back where it belongs.

[mikeabbitt]

I spent a good portion of my life on a farm, so I understand why the bottom of the truck looks like that. Went through the same thing helping my Dad in fixing tail/ brake light wires, leaf springs, and brakes.
Mr. O, you do a great job in educating the viewers. I frequently find useful information for jobs other than what you are working on.

[alabamared]

Dear Mr O. Im 53 yrs old now was never much for fixing anything myself but ive been watching your videos on different repairs and fixes and I want to tell you your 1 hell of a guy i know there's other mechanics out there I feel you dont give yourself enough street cred . To me your a very smart dude that takes passion in your work and you always go the extra for the customer and alot of others don't do that ..please don't stop making videos I look forward everyday to another fix it video from you and tell Mrs. O The state of Alabama loves ya and you as well Mr.O ive never commented as of yet sorry for the long post . We love all your videos and content!! Ty from mr. Alabamared256...

[Mountain-Man-]

That small socket tape roll trick is probably the best trick I've learned off YouTube

[Kevintherubiconjeep]

Well said for farmers. I grew up on a decent size dairy farm with a few hundred acres to look after. Best learning experience one can have.

[madebylife]

YOU DA MAN! And I'm from Mobile Alabama and I give you my express permission to use "y'all" as many times as you like sir. Roll Tide!

[robertstout]

Isn't it amazing how much difference your attitude makes in how your day goes?

[gstranman]

Little by little I get better at reading wire diagrams thanks to this blog. thank you sir

[steveo]

I remember commenting on your "uncanny" ability a few years ago... Now, I know for sure it is half "uncanny" ability and half logical experience... Eric O ---- champion of the American farmer... You're like John Cougar Mellencamp, man....

[fomocok]

16:24 Eric is like a boy popping wheelies on his bike In front of the house where the girl he likes lives. Always lookin’ for Mrs. O’s attention! It’s actually good to see that they still seek each other’s attention and compassion. From the cups of coffee she brings to the constant jabs about him not fixing/maintaining her car and his constant admiration of all her qualities and of course the constant teasing. They’re both just big flirts! ...just like married folks should be!!
Love the channel! Best repair vids, diag logic process tutorials and real life of real, down to earth people. Thanks for all you do and sacrifice to share with us. Very grateful!

[bltoth]

It is amazing, that after 100+ years of auto building, running wires thru proper spaces is still a problem.

[accordingly]

I spend two hours at work hunting down a broken CAN line and come home and watch YouTube about the expert finding broken wires. If I’m gonna learn to think like a wire I’ve gotta watch the best think like a wire!!!

[machintelligence]

I had a Ford F 350 utility truck that I bought used. After well over 100K miles The front fuel tank became unusable, so I replaced the pump (mounted in the tank) and it worked for a few months and then quit again. I figured there was a problem in the switching valve or the dash mounted switch (fired the parts cannon) but still no luck. I finally started to unwrap the wiring harness overwrap and encountered electrical tape. Under the tape there was a corroded crimp connector. I think they had pinched the harness when installing the utility body, spliced the wire with a crimp and taped the hell out of it. The repair lasted 12 years. Like you, I soldered it and my repair lasted another 180 K miles until I scrapped the truck. You really don't anticipate broken wires in a harness that looks undisturbed.

[jimbattles]

glad you checked out your gifting with your resident expert. your do have a gift for your occupation. took me years to find out what my gift was but after finding it, it was not "work" anymore, but enjoyment which I was able to earn a living. yes, takes to farmers as well as the gatherers, workers at the processer, truck drivers and store employees. without anyone of them, we would not be able to live the life we have. Blessed.

[ToobxSox]

the thrill of the hunt never gets old, great vid eric.

[dustcommander]

The end of a broken wire emits an electrical field that only certain gifted people can sense. You are one of those gifted people. If you hadn't become a mechanic, you would have certainly been a psychic.