Common questions

When a fusible link is damaged What shall it be replaced with?

When a fusible link is damaged What shall it be replaced with?

It is difficult to replace fusible links with fuses. Fusible links are compact and handle a lot of current before they blow. To replace the fusible links with fuses you will have to use mega fuses, the smallest will most likely be about 50 amps. And this will take up a lot of room, and be more connections to go bad.

How long does a fusible link need to be?

9″
The length of a fusible link should not exceed 9″. Can a fusible link be used to replace a fuse that blows frequently? In general, a fusible link should never be used to replace an automotive fuse unless authorized by a vehicle factory service bulletin.

Can a wire be replaced with a fusible link?

Once located, you can replace it with a fusible link that matches the gauge of wire called for by the original design.

What is the purpose of a fusible link?

(Image/CorvetteForum.com) Fusible links—also spelled fuseable and fusable—serve a similar purpose to a fuse. (You can read more about fuses here .) Just like a fuse, the link is designed to handle a lower current (amp) load than the rest of the system so, in the event of a short or overload, the link will be the first failure point.

Why are fusible links difficult to diagnose and repair?

Fusible links can be frustrating to diagnose and repair because their damage can be impossible to detect with a simple visual inspection. When fusible links fail, they often lead to a no-start condition.

What happens when the conductor of a fusible link melts?

In an extreme current overload situation, the link’s conductor is melted while the ensuing flame and spark are contained within the link’s insulation. A dead, shorted alternator on the interstate could have burned our car to the ground if it wasn’t for the Fusible Link.

Once located, you can replace it with a fusible link that matches the gauge of wire called for by the original design.

Fusible links can be frustrating to diagnose and repair because their damage can be impossible to detect with a simple visual inspection. When fusible links fail, they often lead to a no-start condition.

In an extreme current overload situation, the link’s conductor is melted while the ensuing flame and spark are contained within the link’s insulation. A dead, shorted alternator on the interstate could have burned our car to the ground if it wasn’t for the Fusible Link.

Where to look for fusible links on a car?

When fusible links fail, they often lead to a no-start condition. On an older vehicle, the first place to look for these links is under the hood near the battery or along the firewall — look for a length of wire that is roughly two gauges smaller than the harness it’s connected to.

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Ruth Doyle