Burning fuses like crazy!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 1
Burning fuses like crazy!
My car keeps burning up the fuse for the power seats and door locks. I mean even with the car off and i'm not using the seats or locks, as soon as I put a fuse in, it'll go bad within a few seconds. It doesn't stop there, it gets really hot and starts to burn creating an awful smell! I have to pull it out for fear of a fire.
The only thing I've done recently is move the seat forward and down in the front quite far. Now it's stuck in this stupid position.
Any ideas?
The only thing I've done recently is move the seat forward and down in the front quite far. Now it's stuck in this stupid position.
Any ideas?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by qws
Sounds like to shorted something to ground. Maybe the seat when moving caught a wire and grounded it
You need to examine all the wires pertaining to the seats and seat switches for shorts which can be as little as a scared wire rubbing steel somewhere or bad switch or motor going bad in seat. Something is shorting to ground.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Originally Posted by 89Corvette6spdFX3
Any ideas?
bolt cutters and at least a 10 lb 'ABC'-rated fire
extinguisher. In the event of a fire, raise the
hood, cut the battery cable and then blast the fire
with the extinguisher.
Under no circumstances should you replace
the burned fuses with higher amperage fuses.
I am sure you know the fuse is a safety device, your's
are trying to tell you that there is a serious problem.
If it catches fire in the garage it could take your house.
If it catches in a parking lot, it can take other cars
with it.
.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
This thread has tips that may help you move
the seat up and back while the fuses are out.
You might try PMing the person that created the thread
to ask whether he had any success moving his seat.
.
the seat up and back while the fuses are out.
You might try PMing the person that created the thread
to ask whether he had any success moving his seat.
.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,359
Likes: 2,281
From: Central Maryland
Yank the seat-bottom cushion out of both seats, and carefully examine as much of the wiring harnesses as you can see. Look for a wire that got pinched by the seat frame/mechanism. You'll most likely find it at the seat that was last moved. Unbolt and remove the entire seat(s), if required, to either find or repair the fault.
Do not install another fuse until you have this problem resolved. As others have said, you have a direct short from +12v to ground, and it will draw large amounts of current.
If you think you have the problem resolved, install a fuse of much lower rating than is called for (like, say, 5 amps), and see if it blows immediately without any action of the power seats or power windows switches (i.e., when there should be no current flowing in that circuit). If it doesn't blow, you probably have the problem solved, and can then install a fuse of the correct rating, and test the action of the seats and windows. Good luck.
Be well,
SJW
Do not install another fuse until you have this problem resolved. As others have said, you have a direct short from +12v to ground, and it will draw large amounts of current.
If you think you have the problem resolved, install a fuse of much lower rating than is called for (like, say, 5 amps), and see if it blows immediately without any action of the power seats or power windows switches (i.e., when there should be no current flowing in that circuit). If it doesn't blow, you probably have the problem solved, and can then install a fuse of the correct rating, and test the action of the seats and windows. Good luck.
Be well,
SJW
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 1
Well, it was a bad wire under the seat. I installed a fuse jsut to move the seat and then pulled it out with some pliers. When I pulled it out, it only took the metal cover of the fuse! Of course I found this out after smoke started pouring out from under my seat! I thought I was in big trouble but fortunatly, the wire burnt itself in two opening the circut.
Ugh, now I have to take out the seat and rewire almost everything. Thank goodness that's all I'll have to do!
Ugh, now I have to take out the seat and rewire almost everything. Thank goodness that's all I'll have to do!
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