# 1997 DODGE RAM 2500 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
> NHTSA complaint `308670` · 2001-08-12 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** DODGE
- **Model:** RAM 2500
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
## Narrative
AROUND 6 MONTHS AGO A PLUME OF THICK BLACK SMOKE EXITED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.  I INSPECTED THE ENGINE BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE AND FIGURED IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOMETHING FALLING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.  RECENTLY I DISCOVERED MELTED AND CORRODED WIRES LEADING TO THE FUEL PREHEATER.  NO FUSE WAS BLOWN.  I HAVE NOT TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR YET, SO THE COST ESTIMATE IS SIMPLY A GUESS.  IF A SHORT EXISTED IN THE PREHEATER, THEN THE FUSE SHOULD HAVE BLOWN.  EITHER THE FUSE IS TO LARGE, OR THE WIRE SIZE IS TOO SMALL FOR THE APPLICATION.*AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*