Power Distribution Module: Description and Operation

POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER (PDC)
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, to the left of the battery, right of the powertrain control module (PCM), just in front of the shock tower. The PDC housing has a molded plastic cover. The PDC cover is easily removed for service access and has a convenient fuse and relay layout molded right into the inside surface of the cover to ensure proper component identification.

The PDC housing is secured in the engine compartment by two screws to the left of the PDC and two pivots to the right side. All of the PDC outputs are through the engine compartment wire harness.

All of the current from the battery/generator cable connection enters the PDC through a 140 ampere fusible link that is secured with nuts just inside the PDC housing. The PDC houses up to nine maxi-fuse cartridges, which replace all in-line fusible links. The PDC also houses up to seventeen blade-type fuses, up to thirteen full International Standards Organization (ISO) relays. Internal connection of all the PDC circuits is accomplished by an intricate network of hard wiring and bus bars.

The fusible link, fuse cartridges, fuses and relays are available for service replacement. The PDC unit can be repaired and is serviced as a unit. If the PDC is faulty or damaged, it may be replaced without the rest of the engine harness.

POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
This information covers the various standard and optional power distribution components used on this model.

The power distribution system for this vehicle is designed to provide safe, reliable, centralized and convenient to access distribution of the electrical current required to operate all of the many standard and optional factory-installed electrical and electronic powertrain, chassis, safety, comfort and convenience systems. At the same time, these systems were designed to provide centralized locations for conducting diagnosis of faulty circuits, and for sourcing the additional current requirements of many aftermarket vehicle accessory and convenience items.

These power distribution systems also incorporate various types of circuit control and protection features, including:
- Fuses
- Fuse cartridges
- Fusible links
- Automatic resetting circuit breakers
- Relays
- Flashers
- Timers
- Circuit splice blocks.

The power distribution system for this vehicle consists of the following components:
- Power Distribution Center (PDC)
- Junction Block (JB)
- Accessory power outlet.

Refer to the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of all of the power distribution system components.