Automotive Fuse Block
A fuse block is made up of fuses which operate at various amperage values. The amperage value which a particular fuse is operating on is factored by the electrical component that it is working with. If the amount of voltage is tremendously increased or decreased then the fuse could end up burning out. This is basically the fuse sacrificing itself to continue protecting the device that it is working with.
What Type of Fuse is in an Automotive Fuse Block?
Automotive fuse blocks contain plastic fuses which are just pushed into place. These types of fuses are common in vehicles that have been released any time between the eighties and today. If a vehicle was manufactured before 1980 then there is a possibility of it containing glass fuses instead. Some vehicles may also have mini-fuses in the automotive fuse block but this will vary by vehicle.
Replacing a Fuse in the Automotive Fuse Block
When replacing a fuse in the automotive fuse block you will have to be very careful. There are many mistakes which can be made that could have a negative affect on the fuse block and the electrical components that are being protected by the fuses. You will need to know what you are doing when you are replacing a fuse in the automotive fuse block. It is a fairly easy task to do so but make sure that you know exactly what you should do beforehand.
First off, you will have to know that all fuses that are used in an automotive fuse block are typically between 15 and 30 amps. Furthermore, it is important to know that any damaged fuses must be replaced with fuses of the same amperage values. By replacing a fuse with one of a higher amperage value the electrical component that is being protected could end up being damaged severely.
When a fuse is no longer any good it will need to be removed from the automotive fuse block. Just pull it out of the section where it is mounted in the fuse block. Then, insert the new fuse in the section where the old one was mounted. After you do this you will be finished. However, you should double check that you are using a new fuse which has the same amperage value as the old fuse to prevent any possible damage to the electrical component and the fuse.
Where is the Fuse Block Located?
Automotive fuse blocks are typically located in a vehicle's dashboard. There are certain vehicles which have the fuse block placed somewhere in the engine area of the vehicle. You could always look in your owner's manual to locate the specific spot of the fuse block in your vehicle. If you do not already know where the fuse block is then you should find out so you have easy access to it just in case an issue ever arises.
Replacing the Automotive Fuse Block
Automotive fuse blocks should last forever and should not need to be replaced at all. For certain unlucky individuals it may become necessary that their vehicle's fuse block needs replaced but this is very uncommon. You can purchase an automotive fuse block and wiring components from an aftermarket parts manufacturer. The wires that are included are likely coded by color to make the whole task a lot easier. Replacing an automotive fuse block can be a difficult task for anyone that has not experience with working around vehicles but it is not difficult if you follow the instructions closely.
Final Thoughts
The automotive fuse block contains fuses which are used to protect various electrical components in your vehicle. The fuse block must remain in working condition in order for your vehicle to operate properly. If any fuses are damaged then they will need to be replaced with fuses of the same amperage value. If the fuse block becomes damaged then it will need to be replaced as well. Lastly, the automotive fuse block is a very important part of all vehicles so you should always know where it is and how to fix any problems related to it.