How to Replace a Blown Fuse
When it comes to your vehicle, the one part which seems to break all of the time is the fuses. What most people don’t realize is that this is their purpose. What?! The fuse blows when there is too much electricity flowing through it. This helps prevent serious damage or even fires from breaking out in your vehicle. Cheap automobile insurance rates can help pay for any damage done to your vehicle.
The good news is that fuses are easy to replace and inexpensive. Your vehicle’s fuse panel usually houses extra fuses should you ever need them. If space is running out in your fuse panel then you the second best place in your vehicle to keep them is your tool box or glove compartment.
How to Change a Fuse
The steps for changing a fuse are rather simple. Follow the guidelines below to ensure that you are doing it correctly.
Locating the Fuse Panel
The owner’s manual which came with your vehicle should tell you where the fuse panel is. On most models it is located in the engine compartment or on the driver’s side of the dashboard (under the steering wheel). However, the location will vary depending on what you drive. Some can even be found in glove boxes or dash door jambs.
Once you remove the cover to the fuse panel, you’ll see many fuses in a variety of colors. The colors along with the number on the fuse tell you the amperage rating for that fuse. Turn the fuse panel cover over. You’ll notice a fuse diagram which shows you which fuse goes with what component in your vehicle.
Removing the Blown Fuse
Before you can install the new fuse, you must find the one which went bad. You’ll be able to tell which one is blown because it will either be black on the inside or it will have a broken filament. Some vehicles come with a tool called a “puller”. They are designed to remove blown fuses. But if you have tweezers these can work just as well.
And if worse comes to worst you can always use your fingers. No matter what you use, remember this: remove and replace each fuse one by one until you fix the problem. If you notice that none of the fuses are blown and the problem is still persisting then you may need to see a mechanic to diagnose the problem.
Replacing the Fuse
Make sure that you replace the blown fuse with another of the same amperage. It won’t work if you don’t. Refer to your owner’s manual and fuse panel diagram (along with the colors and numbers on the fuses) to help you install the one the right one. Much worse damage can actually happen to your vehicle if you end up using the wrong amperage so this step is crucial.
Once you locate the proper fuse, install it into the correct position. Make sure it is completely installed by pushing it down with your fingers. Replace the cover on the fuse panel. As a general rule of thumb, if you cannot locate a spare fuse, you can always use another one temporarily (just make sure the amperage is correct). Consider using the fuse which is responsible for your heater, radio, or cigarette lighter.
Checking the Circuit
You need to check and see if the circuit is working properly once you replace the fuse and cover the panel. If everything is working correctly, chances are good that an overload of electricity to that fuse was the only problem. If this is the case, then everything should be operating properly.
However, if you do this and discover that the circuit doesn’t work, then the electrical problems in your vehicle go way beyond a damaged fuse. It would be wise to see a mechanic at this state of the game. As you can see, replacing a blown fuse is a rather simple task. If you follow the tips and techniques presented in this article, you should have no trouble doing it yourself.
About the Author
Melissa Cameron is a freelance writer. She provides valuable tips and hints for consumers and helps them locate cheap automobile insurance rates. When she isn’t helping people learn how to manage and save their money, she is busy surfing the Internet, learning new things, and looking for good deals. Her husband calls her the walking infomercial because her personality and hobbies fit it perfectly.
