Dear Click and Clack,
I have a 2002 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab which I bought used five years ago. It has been mostly trouble-free until this week. When the gas crisis hit I started driving my wife's minivan, so the truck has not been driven much in the last six or seven months. The last real trip was in mid December where I took it on a 90 mile round-trip to the lumber yard. It ran perfectly. I unloaded the materials near the house and left the truck parked near our bedroom.

Last Friday evening my mother-in-law told the truck horn had been honking (very brief honks) all day, about once every five minutes. My wife, who is ill, found this most annoying. The owner's manual offered no clue to the behavior, but did say that if you wanted to store the truck to disconnect the battery cable from the negative terminal. I thought "geeze, I hope this doesn't blow the computer", but owner's manuals do not lie. Certainly not one by Lee Iacocca. So I did it and the honking stopped. Tuesday I needed to go back to the lumber yard, so I reconnected the battery terminal and noticed the red security light was on. The truck started and ran perfectly.... as long as you're idea of perfect includes no working gauges, dash lights, speedometer, tachometer, turn signalls, brake lights (although the center over-rear-window light does work), power door locks, cruise control, etc. The only things that do work (besides the engine) are the radio, overhead console, power windows and the center brake light.

I took the truck to my local trusted mechanic. They said "it's a weak battery", but the battery tested fine. I left it there. They called four days later and said the words that strike fear into the hearts of every vehicle owner- "you're going to have to take it to the dealer". Oh No! The suspect it's the wiring harness, and you know it had to hurt them to tell me to take it to the dealer.

So that's it. Help me Obee Wan Mariatzeenobees, you're my only hope.

Very Truly Yours,
"Hauling Plywood In a Minivan" Hugh Lambert