Need some help

Mopar&vettedude

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My buddy came over with his 02 Dakota. We believe it to be a ground wire issue with the truck, but we are not sure. It started about a year ago, the radio would cut in and out, the gauge cluster would black out then light up like a Christmas tree and then go back to normal. Recently the seatbelt light would pop on and then go back out while wearing it and driving. While driving the radio cut out and also felt like the motor stalled for a split second. It also effects the turn signal switch while in use and cuts the radio and the heater controls as well.
Any thoughts?
 

Mopar&vettedude

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We had checked all the grounds under the hood, and they were good. And then we tightened down the screw a little bit on the bulk head connector.
 

Aspen500

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Pull the column shroud and look at the ignition switch and connector for signs of melting. My '96 Dakota did all sorts of weird (similar to yours) things a few years ago. Connection at the switch was melted. New switch and connector/pigtail, some heat shrink connectors to splice the wires and good to go.

Might not be what's wrong with the '02 but good thing to check. It's a fairly common problem.
 
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