The problems you speak of are common in early model Dodge Stratus vehicles. I have a 2000 that is experiencing the same issues and was told to replace the junction box by the dealer. The worst part is, the junction box and associated parts are no longer made. I was told to go to the junkyard but be careful since you will need a junction box from a car that has all of the same options your car has or certain features will not work.
My last post addressed the loss of brake lights, the dome light, power windows and locks and radio in my 2000 Dodge Stratus. I had also mentioned that the problem was most likely related to a faulty junction box which is no longer manufactured. This turned out not to be the case.
After receiving this news from the dealer, we decided to investigate the problem ourselves. We determined that "Fuse #5" under the dashboard controls the brake lights, dome light, power windows and locks and radio. "Fuse #5" was not receiving any power.
To make a long story short, under the air filter housing in the hood, there are a series of bundled wires that feed power from the engine compartment to the junction box under the dash. Over the years, the air filter housing has rubbed against these wires, causing one of the bundles to fray and eventually short-out. Once these wires were cleaned and spliced back together, my brake lights, dome light, power windows and locks and radio all began to work once again.
So before assuming it is the junction box or that the car is ready for the junkyard, check the wires under the air filter housing. It is a hassle but well worth the cost of preserving the vehicle or replacing the junction box if you can find one in a junkyard only to find that was not the problem to begin with.
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