replacing fuse - quick question

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Sep 4, 2002 | 03:34 PM

Ender85

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From: Chicago IL

replacing fuse - quick question

I found that the courtesy/clock fuse is blown, what/where do i get a replacement? Also, should I carry some spares in the car? Are the all the same or what?

thanks
marthpodi

My lack of knowledge is :eek:

Sep 4, 2002 | 03:41 PM

Nathan Plemons

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Re: replacing fuse - quick question (marthpodi)

You can buy automotive fuses in blister packs at any auto parts store or Wal-Mart, K-mart, anywhere really.

They are not all the same. Most of them will fit, but if it's a 5 amp fuse and is supposed to be a 5 amp fuse, replace it with a 5 amp fuse. If you keep blowing that fuse something is drawing too much current.

Fuses are some kind of cheap insurance. I carry a ton in my car. To date I've NEVER needed one, but there are a few that will leave you rather stranded if they blow.

Sep 4, 2002 | 03:44 PM

Ender85

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From: Chicago IL

Re: replacing fuse - quick question (Nathan Plemons)

so I can get a set of 5 amp fuses? Are all the ones used in the car the same (i doubt it...that would be too easy)

Sep 4, 2002 | 03:49 PM

Nathan Plemons

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Re: replacing fuse - quick question (marthpodi)

Your car probably has blade fuses, look like a piece of plastic with two blades sticking out the same direction. They are color coded as well. I know red is 10 amp, yellow I think is 20. If not by color it will have a number stamped on top of it. So if your fuse is blown, take it out and get one that looks just like it. Same number, same color = same fuse.

You can buy a pack of 5 amp fuses, or you can buy an assortment. I found real cheap at autozone an assortment that had like 5 of each, from 3 amp all the way up. I would lean towards an assortment. If you have a package of 5 amp fuses in the car it won't fail that you will blow the 20 and you'll still be left stranded. Sure the 5 would physically fit, but it would probably blow immediately.

BTW, most of the fuses in your car should be the same type of fuse. Just a different rating. If you pull your cover off of the fuse panel it will be a christmas tree of colors, all of them would fit in any other slot, but you really need to put the right size back. If you put a 20 amp in a 5 amp circuit you just removed all the protection that the fuse is there to give you.

[Modified by Nathan Plemons, 1:50 PM 9/4/2002]

Sep 4, 2002 | 03:50 PM

92TripleBlack

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Re: replacing fuse - quick question (marthpodi)

They sell them in boxes of each fuse size in most large supermarkets. There are two major fuse types, glass tube and GM. The glass tubes are a small glass tube with metal ends on each side and a wire between them. The GM is a small colored piece of plastic with two metal tabs that stick out. Guess which type you need. You can also get them from autoparts stores, etc. The only rule that you need to follow is to use the correct size fuse. Don't cheat and use a larger one. Sometimes the stock wires will burn up before the fuse if you do which is bad news.

Sep 4, 2002 | 03:53 PM

Nathan Plemons

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Re: replacing fuse - quick question (92TripleBlack)

Quote:

They sell them in boxes of each fuse size in most large supermarkets. There are two major fuse types, glass tube and GM.

I don't think they are exclusive to GM, perhaps you should tell that to my dad's Ford. ;) I think GM may have used them first, but everybody is using them now. GM is starting to use various different types as well, they look basically the same but there are some that are very large and some that are very small. You probably won't run into the older glass style much anymore. People do well with the color coding scheme of the newer style.

I'll see if I can find some pictures.

Sep 4, 2002 | 03:54 PM

Ender85

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From: Chicago IL

Re: replacing fuse - quick question (92TripleBlack)

ok, thanks. All my previous cars had glass cylinders.....yeah. Ok, this one is a 15 Amp (Blue) GM fuse - I'll go buy a pack of them (most in the car are 10, 15, or 20 AMPS, i think). An idea of about how much they are? I'll stop by Discount Auto Parts on the way home...