The alternator fuse or the fusible link might blow out or turn bad because of (excessive) current flow triggered by certain internal malfunctioning problems. Yet how do you detect a bad or blow-fusible link?
If you fail to grasp the key point of the actual bad fusible link symptoms and signs, you might confuse this issue with another problem. This could result in some other severe consequences for your vehicle.
That is the motive of our presence today. We will accompany you to clarify the symptoms of a bad fusible link and guide you on how to address it. Now, follow us into the details!
What Are Fusible Links Used For?
In most electronic equipment, a fuse is used to save other parts of the equipment. Generally, the fuse utilized a type of material (in wires) that might melt with ease.
And under some conditions of overload current, this fuse would get melted, then rupture the electric circuit to save the remainder of the electrical wiring.
Like these fuses, insulated (low-voltage) cable-fusible connections can also protect the remainder of the wiring system by breaking the circuit when enduring excess current, and the fuse gets melted.
Thanks to that, the parts of your car will stay safe.
What Are Bad Fusible Link Symptoms?
How do I know if my fusible link is blown or bad? To find out, we can pay attention to power windows, radio and music, battery, central and wipers locking, and alarming lights.
Once one of these parts goes wrong or deteriorates, it’s time to check and replace the fusible link.
1. Power Windows Work Improperly
The battery delivers energy to your vehicle’s power windows. In case its fusible link is bad, it might indicate some issues with these parts, for example the power window not working on the passenger side. This causes difficulties in opening or closing your car’s windows automatically.
In some cases, this trouble might also stem from bad alternators or battery issues. When the vehicle is working, it draws electricity from the alternator. Once it breaks down, it puts more load on the battery, leading to problems.
However, for the most part, if you encounter issues utilizing the power windows, this is more likely a potential problem of a blown fusible connection than anything else.
Thus it would be better to check carefully before purchasing a new battery or alternator.
2. Music and Radio Failure
Most people love to turn on radios to listen to music or update the news while driving.
Yet when your vehicle’s fusible connection gets poor, you can not turn on the music player or tune the radio to enjoy your journey.
Even when the music player or radio is turned on, the sound might be interrupted in between, or you could not hear the melody clearly.
3. Battery Failure
A fusible connection takes responsibility for charging the car’s internal battery. Thus, when this part is defective, your car battery would experience a shortage of charge.
That could be another potential sign that you might need to swap the old existing fusible link with a new one.
So a faulty or blown fusible link goes wrong to charge the battery, and in the upshot, you might find a certain improper operation or starting problems on your car because of battery failure.
4. The Trouble With Wipers And Central Locking
Another prevalent sign of a bad or blown fusible link is when drivers find that their automobile wipers are not working or responding.
Wipers are supposed to let your front view be clear so you might accompany your automobile safely.
However, when a fusible connection gets a potential issue, these wipers would fail to operate correctly, and then your view turns more blurred during snowfall or rainy days.
Similar to power windows, a central locking and wipe system obtains energy from the alternator and battery.
Hence, a blown fusible link or the bad fusible link might trigger these parts not to operate properly. Yet, again, it might be caused by battery problems or alternator problems as well.
So inspecting your battery and alternator to see whether they are properly running is vital before censuring the problem on a bad fusible link.
5. Dim Lights
As your automobile is working, it utilizes energy from the alternator yet requires its battery to warm up.
This explains why headlamps become dim when you turn the ignition key on. In addition, if there is a bad fusible link in your car, the battery withstands more load than normal.
Dim lights would tell you this trouble. Hence, in case your headlights get dim, it might be a poor fusible connection behind.
6. Warning Lights On
A bad fusible link can activate alarming lights in the automobile. So, if you find your warning engine light being on, a fusible failure link is to blame.
What Happens When A Fusible Link Goes Bad?
Poor Music
Who does not want to enjoy some music during a ride? Even in a short drive, you would also like to catch some catchy melody on the top chart.
However, you might have an issue enjoying music in your car if its fusible link is not performing its functions correctly.
Problematic Radio
Similar to the music function, most drivers would like to tune their automobile’s radio, either to keep track of their favorite show or update some hot news on a regular basis.
If your car is stuck with a fusible failure link, it seems that you will temporarily suspend this habit.
Defective Wipers
Wipers will encounter trouble once your vehicle faces a blown fusible connection. In that case, it is quite hard for you to drive in snow falls and rains.
Bad Windows and Lights
Another common problem you will recognize if your car’s fusible link gets worse is that the closing and opening of windows will not work correctly.
You will have to utilize a manual-unlocking system instead of doing that automatically.
Furthermore, we would like to mention one more component which will be affected when the fusible connection faces some trouble. That is, light systems, including check-engine lights, warning lights, headlights, and other lights.
These lights contribute to preventing the car from electrical issues, especially for computer-controlled automobiles. They will commence dimming gradually when your car has a symptom of a bad fusible link.
How To Identify A Blown Fusible Link?
A Poor Fusible Link
You might know a certain point about a bad or blown fusible link by one or some signs. However, you must check the fusible link carefully to ensure it is indeed fusible link trouble. As mentioned, the signs are:
1. Radio and music failure
2. Problem with the car’s windows
3. Issues in the car’s central locking system
4. Problem with the vehicle’s wipers
Pinpointing the root cause being the fusible link issue is important. Imagine you have to inspect the ECU or the starter motor just because you overlook a blown fusible link.
You surely don’t want that to happen (like most drivers). Needless to say, if you have to configure these parts, it might run your budget much more than the substitution of a new fusible connection.
Well, so how to test a fuse link? This task is quite simple.
- You must slip your body under the vehicle’s hood. Then, locate the battery. A fusible link normally settles next to the battery.
- Seek a wire that is dual gauges which are quite small. Suppose you tap this wire; you might feel that it’s much softer than other electrical wires.
And even there might be labeled the “fusible link” term on this wire. In case you could notice the word, it is pretty simple!
- After you capture the fusible connection, pay attention to any damage or blow in this wire. Afterward, you will understand what happened.
A Fusible Link Between Alternator And Battery
In fact, before the 1980s, finding a fusible link between the battery and the alternator was not an easy thing.
However, the industry has changed. After the 1980s, engineers and experts started utilizing the link between an alternator and a battery.
They carried it out to prevent any damage or fire to the vehicle. For example, somebody might set up the battery with a diode in an alternator or reverse polarity fails.
In that situation, the battery and the alternator would be damaged or broken. That explains why it’s vital recently to put a fusible link between two of these components.
What Should I Do After Detecting A Bad Fusible Link?
Anytime you spot signs that indicate a bad fusible link, ensure to inspect and diagnose the issue initially. Then switching to the new one is indeed necessary.
Changing a bad or blown fusible link might seem a straightforward and easy duty, as all you have to do is to remove the broken or damaged link and then set up a new one.
Yet, if you fail to grasp the thoughtful, step-by-step process to carry out that, it could get time-consuming and confusing.
Hence, let’s follow suit these easy and simple steps to repair the issue of a fusible connection.
Diagnosis The Problem
In order to accurately diagnose, pinpoint the battery that is placed under the hood and near a fusible connection, then find a wire that is more rubbery and smaller than the other.
Also, you can look for the “fusible link” tag name labeled on that wire.
Then, after verifying already, check this wire for any potential and possible damage.
Checking The Electrical
You might use a multimeter or voltmeter’s continuity setting to inspect the electrical link.
For the experiment, connect a lead to one end of the electrical circuit, then the remaining lead with the other end of this circuit. Now inspect if there is any existence of discontinuity or not.
If not, certainly the trouble comes from the fusible connection. If the answer is yes, the issue isn’t in the fusible connection, and you have to inspect further for more possible causes.
While carrying out the electrical discontinuity test, bear in mind to avoid applying 12V continuity test wands, as not all electrical circuits automatically come with 12 volts.
Thus, you should inspect and verify before selecting the test wand.
Changing This Fusible Link
After accurately confirming and checking, if you strongly believe that all things you have to do are to change a new fusible connection, then continue with these steps:
Step 1: You have to figure out the correct fusible connection that has great resistance and is compatible with the car’s requirements.
Step 2: You must disconnect then remove the old fusible link.
Step 3: Place the new link into the old connection’s slot correctly and assure its link.
Step 4: You have to weatherproof your link. In order to do that, utilize electrical tape to cover the link tightly or utilize heat shrink tubing for wrapping the joints.
In addition, keep in mind the fusible connection length ought to be at least four times bigger than the wire size.
Furthermore, in order to simplify the setting procedure, you can utilize the latest updated fusible connections that offer pre-set-up crimp connectors.
Frequent Asked Questions
1. How To Change Fusible Links Using A Fuse?
As earlier mentioned, you need to check and diagnose before deciding to replace a new fusible link.
We also shared how to change the part concretely. In this section, we will pass through another way to replace fusible links. That idea is to utilize a fuse in the fusible link’s stead.
However, if you do not have much experience in this sector, you should not consider this way. The fusible connections are there for a specific reason. You have to believe them in this field.
If everything was alright, they would utilize a fuse instead of a standard fusible link from the start.
Note: Pick a fuse according to the wire size.
Basically, a normal fusible connection is a compact wire which can cover a large amount of electric current before blowing. On the other hand, a fuse can not reach the same level, meaning that it can not satisfy a function of a fusible connection.
Thus, if you intend to use a fuse to replace a fusible link, let’s choose a big fuse since small ones are prone to cover just fifty amps that could not do the task as an alternative in any way.
Replace an existing fusible link with a new fuse, and you also carry out this process with the same process as changing a fusible link.
2. Is Changing The Poor Fusible Link Normally Expensive?
No, it isn’t pricey. Recently, most fusible connections have come to the market at economical prices. Even the trusted and popular brands like GM Motors deliver their products at roughly $3.
Bottom Lines
We have just walked through most key and hot content related to bad fusible link symptoms. The fusible link is a vital component in cars.
Once there is any problem with the part, many other sections in your cars also face other potential issues. Thus, noticing signs of a failure fusible connection need to be more careful to prevent various potential issues for your vehicle in the coming rides.
Lastly, thank you for your company, and see you soon in the coming contents.