Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
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HOW TO : MAINTAIN FUSES Fuse blues W BY JOHN BAXTER hen something goes wrong in wiring or an accessory, the flow of electrical cur- rent can create heat that damages wir- ing and accessories or even starts a fire. Fuses contain a soft conductor that melts easily. When a short circuit or overload happens, the fuse will quickly melt and break the circuit, killing power to it before there is too much heat. 1 If the fuse box is under the hood, wipe dry the cover first. If part of the dash, wipe up dust or accumu- lated liquids around the cover. You can tell a fuse is blown by looking through the clear plastic. You'll see solid, bright metal when it's OK and a separation in the metal when it's blown. When a fuse blows, suspect electri- cal system trouble, but it's worthwhile to try a replacement fuse first. If it blows again, diagnose the problem and repair. 3 2 Release the clips that attach the cover by squeezing them together or depress the cover release. Rotate the cover away from the attaching clips or cover release and unhook it from its hinges. 4 5 Tools • Narrow-jawed or needle-nose pliers • Rags • New fuse Look up the amperage rat- ing of the fuse. This will be listed inside the fuse box lid, outside the lid or in the owner's manual. Get a fuse of the same amp rating. Using a fuse that's even a few amps higher than the circuit's capac- ity can cause serious trouble. Turn off the ignition, or, if dealing with a circuit not controlled by the key, turn off all accessories on that circuit. Pull the fuse straight out. If it doesn't protrude far enough to grab it, gently pull it with a narrow pair of pli- ers. 6 7 Replace the new fuse by lining up its prongs with the holes in the box floor, then gently forcing it down into the box. For under-hood fuse boxes, inspect the seal inside the groove in the cover and replace it if it's broken to pre- vent water and road salt from damaging electrical circuits. Replace the cover by inserting the prongs through the hinges, rock- ing it closed and forcing it downward until the attaching clips or locking mechanism latch tightly. FEBRUARY 2012 OVERDRIVE 39