How To Change A Fuse In Your Car
7th August 2009
How To Change A Fuse In Your Car
Each year, the vehicles that roll off the factory floor are more technologically advanced than the prior year’s models. The parts under the hood are more durable and efficient. The systems are calibrated by computer rather than mechanically. Despite the advances in automotive technology, many of the features still rely upon primitive fuses. If one of them fails, it can cause the cabin lights, stereo system, air conditioner, or turn indicators to malfunction.
If you know how to replace the burnt out fuse with a new one, you can avoid the inconvenience (not to mention the expense) of taking your car to a mechanic. In this article, I’ll describe what you should look for, how to use your owner’s manual to find the culprit, and how to figure out whether the connection has truly blown out.
Knowing What To Look For
The vehicles driven decades ago had fuses that were made of glass and steel. They were cylindrical with steel capping both ends of a small glass tube. Today, they’re made mostly with a plastic housing.
All of the fuses are found within the same box; the location of the box varies by make and model. Having said that, most automakers place the box under the dashboard to the left of the steering column. In some vehicles, the box has a plastic covering that can be easily removed by hand. In others, a screwdriver is needed to loosen the top covering. Once the inside of the box has been exposed, you’ll need to find burnt out connection.
Using Your Owner’s Manual
Your owner’s manual should provide a diagram or table that shows the locations of the fuses and the features they influence. It should detail which ones control the power windows and locks, the ignition switch, window defoggers, and more. For example, if your rear turn indicators are not working properly, your owner’s manual should guide you to the relay that controls that function. Then, it is a simple matter of removing and inspecting it to determine whether it has blown out. If it has, replacing it should fix the problem without the need to take your car to a repair garage.
Determining Whether It Is Blown
Identifying whether the connection has blown is simple. In both the older glass and newer plastic varieties, you’ll see a small metal link within the center of the housing. If the link has become detached, you’ll need to buy a replacement. If it has not become detached, the problem lies elsewhere.
If the fuse has indeed gone bad, you can purchase another at most auto supply stores. Take the blown connection with you because you’ll need to purchase a replacement that has the same amperage. Otherwise, you risk damaging the device it influences. Once you swap out the old with the new, whatever feature was malfunctioning should start working properly again.
No Comments »
No comments yet.
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL