Power Distribution Module: Description and Operation

Fig. 5 Power Distribution Center Location:

All of the electrical current distributed throughout this vehicle is directed through the Power Distribution Center (PDC) (Fig. 5). The molded plastic PDC housing is located in the left front corner of the engine compartment, just inboard of the battery. The PDC houses the generator cartridge fuse and up to fourteen other maxi-type cartridge fuses, which replace all in-line fusible links. The PDC also houses up to two blade-type mini fuses, and up to seven International Standards Organization (ISO) relays (two standard-type and five micro-type).

The PDC housing is mounted on a stamped and welded metal bracket which is secured to the engine side of the radiator and headlamp support structure within the engine compartment. A tab on the lower end of the integral support brace of the PDC bracket fits into a slot in the left side of the headlamp support panel, and two screws secure a tab on the forward end of the PDC bracket to the upper radiator grille support panel. Three receptacles with snap tabs that are integral to the molded plastic PDC housing fit over stanchions that are integral to the PDC bracket. The PDC housing has a molded plastic cover that includes two integral hinge tabs on the inboard side, and an integral latch on the outboard side. The PDC cover is easily opened or removed for service access and has a adhesive-backed fuse and relay layout map affixed 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 two cables with eyelets that are secured with nuts to the two B(+) terminal studs located just inside the rearward facing end of the PDC housing. The PDC cover is unlatched and removed to access the battery and generator output connection B(+) terminal studs, the fuses and the relays. Internal connection of all of the PDC circuits is accomplished by an intricate combination of hard wiring and bus bars. Refer to Wiring Diagrams for the location of complete PDC circuit diagrams.