How To Remove A Fuse From A Fuse Box

In your motorcar, the electrical system ties everything together, including the engine controller, power windows, interior/exterior lighting, audio-visual arrangement and alarms. If one of these systems ceases to function without warning, your kickoff stop should be the fuse box. Once you've identified which fuse is diddled, yous'll need to learn how to supervene upon a auto fuse.

What Is a Fuse Box?

The location of the fuse box may vary depending on the vehicle'south make and model. In many automobiles, the fuse boxes are located in the engine bay or beneath the dash, then check your car'south manual to observe its exact location.

Fuse boxes are essentially hubs that distribute electricity. To protect the wiring, a fuse sits betwixt the main coach line and the component — the restriction lights, for case. Under normal conditions, the fuse allows electricity to flow from the battery to the brake light switch, which, when depressed, sends that electricity to the brake light bulbs.

On the other hand, what if 1 mean solar day your brake lights finish to office? Your first step should be to check the fuse. Once you've located the box, the advisable fuse should be clearly marked "Brake," or something like. If in dubiousness, plow to the owner'due south manual, which will point you to exactly which fuse feeds the brake lights.

How to Test and Supervene upon a Car Fuse

Unlike copper and aluminum wiring, fuses are fabricated from a softer metal. In case of a short circuit, the softer metal in the fuse heats upward faster than copper wiring would, causing the fuse to melt and cut off electrical flow through the excursion. Without this protection, a short circuit could easily overheat the copper wiring and cause substantial collateral damage or result in a fire. Testing the health of a car fuse typically requires no more than a visual inspection or testing with an in-block fuse tester.

Most fuse boxes come with a fuse puller, a small plastic tool to remove and install fuses. You lot could use a pair of needle-nose pliers, but you lot take chances causing a short circuit or — in the example of older, glass fuses — breaking the fuse before you get a chance to inspect it.

Remove the fuse and hold it upward to the light. The pocket-size filament should be continuous from ane side to the other. If the filament is melted, it means that something overheated the circuit. If in doubt, use a multi-meter to check for continuity across the ii terminals. If the fuse has burned out, merely insert a new fuse of the proper amperage rating in the slot. Your auto'due south manual contains information about proper amperage for each slot.

Know Your Amperage

What if the fuse burns out again every bit shortly as yous insert it, plow the car on or step on the brake? Do not supplant the fuse with one of a higher amperage rating. For example, if the brake calorie-free fuse is rated for 10 amps (A), practice not replace information technology with a xv A or xx A version. If the fuse blows, this means that there is something wrong with the circuit and the fuse is protecting the wiring as intended. Further diagnosis will be necessary to make up one's mind the cause of the problem so you can fix it properly to prevent damage to the wiring and the residual of your car.

Check out all the ignition & electrical partsavailable on NAPA Online or trust 1 of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more than information on how to replace a auto fuse, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

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Benjamin Jerew View All

Ben has been taking things autonomously since he was 5, and putting them back together again since he was 8. Subsequently dabbling in DIY repairs at home and on the farm, he institute his calling in the CGCC Automobile Repair plan. After he held his ASE CMAT for 10 years, Ben decided he needed a change. Now, he writes on automotive topics beyond the spider web and around the earth, including new automotive applied science, transportation legislation, emissions, fuel economy and car repair.