Good news! You don’t have to take your car into the mechanic’s shop every time something goes wrong. While you should consult with an automotive technician for any significant issue, there are some minor fixes that you can easily take care of on your own. Case in point: a blown fuse.
Signs that you may have blown a fuse include minor electrical glitches, such as the backup lights or interior lights not working, a faulty radio, loss of a turn signal, a window that won’t go up or down, or problems with your climate control. If you are just experiencing one of these issues and not multiple problems at the same time, a fuse is likely your culprit. And it’s easy for you to fix.
Find the Blown Fuse
Check your owner’s manual, but the fuse panel on most vehicles can be found under the steering wheel. Remove the panel cover, and you’ll see a range of colors and numbers that show what amperages power each fuse. Look for the blown fuse, which may be black inside or show broken filament. (A flashlight might be helpful here.)
Remove the Fuse
Carefully, remove the blown fuse – either with a tool or your fingers. Keep in mind that fuses break easily and once broken, they are much harder to remove than while intact.
Insert the Replacement Fuse
Check the fuse panel diagram and/or your owner’s manual to ensure that you are inserting a fuse that is the correct amperage. If you use a fuse with the wrong amperage, you can cause yourself some serious electrical problems that could be a costly fix – just what you are trying to avoid. Keep extra fuses of various amperages in your glove compartment in case you need them.
Check Your Work
Once the fuse has been replaced, start up the vehicle, and check to see if your handiwork fixed whatever problem you were having. If it still doesn’t work, or if the same fuse blows again soon after you replaced it, you may have to go the repair shop after all.
Get Technical Training at J-Tech
If you love learning about cars and have the desire to work with your hands, J-Tech Institute can provide you with the training you need to jumpstart your career as an Automotive Technician. Contact us today to learn more, or to schedule your visit to our 168,000 square foot facility in Jacksonville, FL.