How to Tell If a Vehicle Fuse Box Is Bad
by Jack Hathcoat
Automotive fuse boxes typically fail due to overheating. There are several causes for overheating, including added aftermarket electrical accessories or undersized wires or connections that were installed by the manufacturer, which sometimes result in factory recalls for the installation of new wiring harnesses and fuse boxes. If you have problems with your electrical system, you can check to see if your vehicle's fuse box is bad. Keep in mind that you should always use caution when working with an automobile's electrical system.
Step 1
Raise the hood and remove the battery cable from the negative terminal. Inspect the fuse box, or power center, located under the hood, often very near the battery. It has a black plastic lid and houses all the main power breakers. Remove the cover and inspect the fuses, circuit breakers and relays. Use a wrench to remove the hold-down bolts that attach the power center to the car. It may also be necessary to remove the power feed wire from the battery to the power center.
Step 2
Lift the power center and look underneath for heat marks, or a dark, blue halo discoloration. This is a sure sign that something is wrong with the box and a connection has failed. Remove the screws that hold the bottom cover in place. Inspect the connections. If there is damage, replace the power center. Although minor repairs can be made, it is best to replace the entire center.
Step 3
Use a flashlight to inspect the inside fuse panel. Some car manufacturers, such as Honda and Mazda, use two inside fuse panels, one under each side of the dashboard. Remove the access covers and examine the fuses as well as the wiring going into the fuse panel. Dark, discolored and burned wires are signs of failure. Wires that have bubbles in the insulation have overheated. The panel and wiring will need to be replaced.
References
Things You'll Need
- Wrench set
- Screwdriver set
Writer Bio
Jack Hathcoat has been a technical writer since 1974. His work includes instruction manuals, lesson plans, technical brochures and service bulletins for the U.S. military, aerospace industries and research companies. Hathcoat is an accredited technical instructor through Kent State University and certified in automotive service excellence.
