Dakota Quad Cab 2WD V8-5.9L VIN Z LDC (2002)
Power Distribution Center (PDC): Description and Operation
POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER
Fig.9 Power Distribution Center Location - Typical
All of the electrical current distributed throughout this vehicle is directed through the standard equipment Power Distribution Center (PDC). The
molded plastic PDC housing is located in the left 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 13 International Standards Organization (ISO) relays (one standard-type and 12 micro-type), two joint connectors (one 16-way and one 26-way)
and a 16-way engine wire harness in-line connector.
The PDC housing is secured in the engine compartment 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 component identification.
The PDC unit cannot be repaired and is only serviced 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.
All of the current from the battery and the generator output enters the PDC through one cable with eyelets that are secured with a nut to the one B(+)
terminal stud 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 inline connector. Internal connection of
all of the PDC circuits is accomplished by an intricate combination of hard wiring and bus bars. Refer to Wiring for the location of complete PDC
circuit diagrams.
