This morning I hit my remote to enter the Av, and I notice that my Line Of Fire isn't illuminating. After my short trip, I investigate further and found a problem that others may also have. Where the wire harness exits the end of the LOF the ground wire and the tail light wire insulation had worn away and become brittle to the point that the bare leads were exposed. Since this past winter was brutal in New Jersey and more road salt was used than ever before I thought that this was the main factor to deal with, but as I examined the LOF I noticed that the two double sided tape areas had failed and that the LOF was vibrating rather than being secured to the bumper (View is from above with the tailgate removed).
After replacing the 15 amp fuse in the electrical panel under the hood ( it was the " trailer parking light " fuse - the right, left signal and B/U lights were OK ), I realized that my options were few. The wires are tiny and I could barely see them much less replace them. I thought of a product I had used before and gave it a try.
This stuff is basically the same thing that puts insulated grips on metal pliers. It takes about 10 minutes to air cure, and another hour or so to set up well. I got it here:
http://www.micromark.com
After seperating the leads as best as I could, I coated the harness using a plastic swizzle stick ( Dunkin' Donuts coffee stirrer for you non alkis......) making sure all areas got the treatment for about 2" outboard the LOF.
With that taken care of, I gently pried away the remaining tape and re-positioned the LOF up about 3/8" off the bumper bar deck so it wouldn't be hidden by the step plates, then nut and bolted it right, left, and center.
After snugging everything up and waiting an extra hour to insure a good cure, I tried the remote again - and all was well.
I'm sure that these circumstances won't apply to everyone, but every few months or so it can't hurt to give it the wiggle test with your hand to make sure your LOF isn't working itself loose.
Jake
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