BEC - Repair After Damage From Probing

BULLETIN NUMBER:
SB97-04-L010

ISSUE DATE:
DECEMBER 1997

GROUP:
ELECTRICAL

1998 HOMBRE (TH) BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER REPAIR/DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION

AFFECTED VEHICLES
1998 Hombre (TH) models.

SERVICE INFORMATION
1998 Hombre models use an underhood and body-located fuse/relay center, also referred to as a junction block or bussed electrical center (BEC). A BEC provides a common location for fuses, circuit breakers, and relays. It contains insulated layers of metal bussing and terminals which are permanently sandwiched between an upper and lower housing. A BEC provides a power and signal distribution location to which the vehicle's electrical harnesses plug into.

The housing and female terminals where devices plug into may be damaged by improper probing of the terminals. Usage of a standard digital multimeter lead or a probe from a test light will cause damage in this area. If interface damage occurs, the BEC's female terminals are not serviceable. The entire BEC must be replaced. Harness connector terminals, however, remain serviceable and can be replaced, if necessary.

Anytime any female terminal is probed, there is a risk of causing an open or intermittent circuit at the terminal interface from mechanical damage. To minimize the risk of damage, be sure to use the following guidelines when performing diagnosis:

1. If the device-side of the BEC is being probed, be sure to use the Connector Test Adapter Kit (J35616-A) or the mating terminal from the Replacement Terminal Kit (J38125-A). Carefully follow the instructions specified in the J35616-A Connector Test Adapter Kit and use the diagnostic probe tool having the same blade dimensions as the device. When probing, be sure to follow these common rules:

^ Insert the probe tip straight into the cavity and keep it stable during testing.

^ Do not wiggle or move the probe tip once it has been inserted into the terminal.

^ Keep the number of probe insertions to one.

2. Do not disassemble the body of the BEC to repair and/or replace female terminals. If necessary, after proper diagnosis has been performed, replace the entire BEC.

The only repairs that may be made to a BEC are replacement of plug-in devices and mounting hardware, as follows:

^ Fuses, relays, and circuit breakers

^ BEC cover, battery stud cover, and other snap-on covers

^ Cover attachment thumb screw

^ Labels for fuse/relay identification

^ Splash shields

^ Mounting brackets