What is an automotive fuse?
The primary purpose of a battery in a car is to provide power to the starter so the engine can start. For non-hybrid or electric vehicles, once the engine starts, an alternator will then use energy from the engine and turn it into electrical energy. This powers different systems in your vehicle such as lights and radios.
A fuse is a low-resistance resistor that acts as a safety device to protect the circuits in your car from becoming overloaded. If too much current flows through the circuit, it will cause the fuse wire to melt, thus breaking the circuit and stopping the flow of current.
Fuses are typically made by combining a metal strip with a heat-sensitive chemical. When too much current flows through the strip, it causes the chemical to heat up and melt. This disrupts the flow of electrons and breaks the circuit.
What are the different types of fuses?
Depending on the age of your vehicle, you may come across one of two types of automobile fuses in the United States. Glass tube fuses were used in older vehicles – dating from before 1985 – until recently. These are tiny cylinders with a glass tube in the center and metal caps on each end. They have varying lengths to show their maximum amp capacity, but they aren't found on modern cars.
Instead of the older style fuses, newer cars have blade-type. They usually look like small rectangles made out of plastic, with two metal blades coming from one end. Moreover, each blade has a different thickness. The thicker one controls the power coming in, while the thinner one directs it to the device being powered.
So, if you have a newer car, you'll likely have blade-type fuses. Meanwhile, if your vehicle is a bit older, it probably has glass tube fuses.
How do I know if my fuse is blown?
There are a few different methods to determine whether a car fuse is burnt. Check your car's owner's handbook to see where the fuse box is located if you believe you have a burnt fuse. However, some vehicles only include one. The engine may contain the fuse box, although in other models it can be found under the dashboard in the cabin or even beneath the rear seats.
You will notice that the fuse is burnt out if it's discolored, warped, or has a broken wire inside of it. If you hold the fuse up to the light and you can see through it, that means it's blown. If your car has a multimeter, check the resistance of the fuse. A good fuse should show close to zero resistance, while a blown fuse will have infinite resistance.
You can easily tell if a fuse is still good or has burnt out by examining it. You may see the wire inside the fuse that the charge goes through with both glass cylinder and blade-type fuses. If the wire remains, then the fuse is in good working order. The wire will be burnt and split into two as a result of the power surge's devastation if the fuse has blown out.
How can I replace the fuse box diagram in the car?
You can find a variety of fuse box diagrams on our website. Simply enter your car's make, model, and year to find the right diagram for your vehicle. Once you've found it, print it out and use it to locate the fuse box in your car.
If you can't find the diagram on our website, you can also consult your car's owner's manual. Many manuals include a section that outlines where the fuse box is located as well as which fuses control which circuits.
Once you've found the fuse box, open it up and examine each of the fuses inside. If any of them appear to be burnt out or damaged, replace them with new fuses of the same amperage. Finally, close up the fuse box and test each of the circuits to make sure they're working properly.
If you have any questions about replacing a fuse or finding a diagram for your car, feel free to contact us. We'll be happy to help you get your car back up and running!
Where can I find this information?
In case you decided to replace the fuse box diagram on your vehicle, you can try to check out the official website of the car manufacturer. Many times they will include a section that outlines where the fuse box is located as well as which fuses control which circuits.
All information about fuse box diagrams drivers may also find in online sources. Our website is one of the most popular and it provides detailed instructions about different types of fuse boxes for various car models. You can find a variety of fuse box diagrams on our website. Simply enter your car's make, model, and year to find the right diagram for your vehicle. Once you've found it, simply replace the blown-out fuse box!
With this info you will be able to check and, if necessary, replace the fuses in your car. Don't forget to consult your car's owner manual before attempting any repairs!
