I was cleaning some contacts on a trailer, and forgot to
turn off the lights while doing it. I accidentally shorted
the contacts in the tail light, and blew a fuse.

Oddly enough, the lights on the trailer went out, but the
ones on the vehicle remained on. After trying all of the
fuses under the dashboard, I read my Haynes manual, I verified
that there is another fusebox under the hood on the fender
liner. I'm sure I have found the fuse box... on it there
is some labeling of the circuits inside (Trailer Lighting,
Fuel Pump, EEC...) that is in the same orientation as the
diagram in the Haynes manual. It appears the trailer light
circuits are isolated from the truck's lights to avoid total
darkness if there is a short in the trailer wiring.

The box is right behind the air filter housing... but I don't
see a way to open it! It looks like it's all one outer case,
not like part of it is just a cover. I'd sure appreciate some
insight on this.

So, can anyone tell me how to open up the box to get
to the fuses?

Thanks,
-Mark

 

There are two tabs on the sides of the cover that are attached to the cover. You have to pull them outward and upward to release the cover which will then pivot up on the inboard end , There are two prongs that engage the out board end and will only release with the cover compleatly pivoted up.

 

I'll have to look again during daylight (which I won't see until the weekend!) or with a flourescent droplight. I had on a headlamp (one of those ones with 8 LEDs that strap to your head), but that leaves a lot of shadows and stuff, so it isn't the best way to see things.

If I understood your answer correctly, the two tabs are on the foreward and aft sides (the long sides) of the cover, and it is
hinged at the outboard end. Does that mean there are no latching tabs on the inboard end?

Thanks. I appreciate the help.
I'll let you know if I need any more help.

 

Correct on the tabs. Once you get them to release, the cover hinges up from the motor end to the fender.