Fun with fuses

VroomGrrl · 07-31-2008, 11:57 AM

Alright! I got better light in there, and a better look. I made a scan of the fuse diagram and lo and behold, it appears that fuse A-25 controls both the AC and the seat adjustment.

Here is the fuse diagram - click on this image for access to larger version

Here is one definitely blown fuse down on the A terminal:

Hopefully one of these will be the proper replacement?

If one of these will work, I will have to put on my brave face, pickup a screwdriver, and have at it.

Anything I should be wary of? Remember, total non-wrench-oriented person here! I've got a fridge full of beer, wish there was a Tuscaloosa Pelican I could bribe to come over here and lend me a hand. I'm sooo afraid to screw up my car.

Barrpete · 07-31-2008, 12:11 PM

That's the case on my '86. Both the AC & seat adjusters are the same fuse. Should be 25A. The light blue one (second from the right in your photo) is probably the one. It should be marked somewhere on the fuse. If you can't find a marking I'd suggest getting a new one at the local autozone or NAPA so you're sure you have the right one. And you don't need a screwdriver, the fuse simply clips between the contacts.

VroomGrrl · 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrpete

That's the case on my '86. Both the AC & seat adjusters are the same fuse. Should be 25A. The light blue one (second from the right in your photo) is probably the one. It should be marked somewhere on the fuse. If you can't find a marking I'd suggest getting a new one at the local autozone or NAPA so you're sure you have the right one. And you don't need a screwdriver, the fuse simply clips between the contacts.

Hot damn. The blue one says A25.

Alright yall I'm goin in.

Without a screwdriver

UPDATE - mangled my one fuse then dropped it in the trunk. Yeah. Off I go for some fuses!

Jim727 · 07-31-2008, 12:17 PM

Kathy, love your enthusiasm!

Fuses are coded in two ways: by color and by Amp rating on the back. Remove the blown fuse and look at the back - there will be a number. Cross-check that number with the max rating your manual says the fuse should be. Replace with a fuse of the same rating as the manual says.

One end of the fuse holder is fixed, the other is a spring. In the spring end there is a hole and in the fixed end there is a socket; you want to grasp the fuse and gently apply pressure against the spring end to remove it.

Check both ends of the fuse holder for signs of corrosion and remove any corrosion you might find using spray contact cleaner, a very small wire brush, or whatever.

To reinstall the fuse, remember that it is very fragile. First insert one end of the fuse into the spring end of the holder and press gently until you can get the other end into the socket in the fixed end of the holder. At this point I like to rotate the fuse in both directions a few times to make sure I have good contact and actually found the socket.

Keep having fun.

poorsha · 07-31-2008, 12:30 PM

Is she havin fun or what?

rouxroux · 07-31-2008, 12:37 PM

She's got the right attitude! The story so far is great! Kathy, keep workin' girl, as I'd rather see you wind up on the track @ Barber instead of the rubber room @ Brice-Partlow there in Druid City! Keep smilin' and askin'!

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

There are a lot of cheap fuses out there made of plastic. They will get hot and start to melt making them shorter and not work. Look around and find the ceramic fuses. That is what your car came with. They are better.

VroomGrrl · 07-31-2008, 01:48 PM

Film on the way! In the meantime, go check out the pretty Porsches I saw at the repair shop today. There was one red car that was a bit of a mystery to me. Front engine, but the body shape is one I've not seen, must be an early incarnation of the 944 or 928 or something. Yall will know from the engine. Dig it.

Full house at the shop today (Eurasian Auto Repair, Bham AL)

VroomGrrl · 07-31-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorsha

Is she havin fun or what?

Huh. Is THAT what this is called? I could have sworn it was desperation to verify that the AC system and seat switches didn't simultaneously bite the dust 2 days after I got my new car!

I'm so relieved it was just a fuse!

So I guess that part is fun. And the not leaving the car at the shop and paying $$$ to get repairs is BIG fun.

I guess you're right

Barrpete · 07-31-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathycha

Huh. Is THAT what this is called? I could have sworn it was desperation to verify that the AC system and seat switches didn't simultaneously bite the dust 2 days after I got my new car!

I'm so relieved it was just a fuse!

So I guess that part is fun. And the not leaving the car at the shop and paying $$$ to get repairs is BIG fun.

I guess you're right

HA! This is your first DIY! Congratulations on fixing it yourself which earns you one of those beers in your fridge. Next thing you know you'll be rebuilding a transmission

beasty · 07-31-2008, 02:12 PM

if only i could find me a gal like you kathy....

VroomGrrl · 07-31-2008, 02:25 PM

OK let's see if this works? Well it's still "processing" on youtube but when it's ready you can watch what happened.....

crustychief · crustychief's Garage

Congrats on your success. BTW the red car is a late model 944 probably a 90 or 91 just because it is a cab and they only had those in the later years. they are great little cars also.

VroomGrrl · 07-31-2008, 03:20 PM

When the video is up, you'll see that I was successful. So I hopped into the car and took her for a little spin to my favorite drive-thru froo-froo coffee shop. I got my favorite decaf sugar-free frozen mocha and slipped it into my little cup holder on the pass. door. Yum!

Then I took off and couldn't resist the temptation to drive like a bat outta hell on the twisty road I took back home and....perfect ending to a perfect day

bkreigsr · 07-31-2008, 04:13 PM

what happened to the little cupholderwhojiggy you had on the driver's door on the trip home?

I gotta say people with cup holders in their 911's scare the heck out of me.

Part of the Porsche mystic is learning to avoid anything not mentally or physically related to getting that bad-boy down the road.

Bill K

rouxroux · 07-31-2008, 04:20 PM

Congratulations on your fix...However, the froo-froo coffee-based drink (and worse than that: CUPHOLDER) will cost you a few points.

Before you get TOO feisty and spirited, please sign up for a DE course or two in your area. You'll thank us later!

pwd72s · 07-31-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

There are a lot of cheap fuses out there made of plastic. They will get hot and start to melt making them shorter and not work. Look around and find the ceramic fuses. That is what your car came with. They are better.

Also, BUSS, I believe, makes fuses sized for the german cars...instead of an open element, they are glass encased. I feel they are superior in funtion to the Porsche factory equipment. I used to buy mine at the local NAPA store.

VroomGrrl · 07-31-2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkreigsr

what happened to the little cupholderwhojiggy you had on the driver's door on the trip home?

I gotta say people with cup holders in their 911's scare the heck out of me.

Part of the Porsche mystic is learning to avoid anything not mentally or physically related to getting that bad-boy down the road.

Bill K

Yeah, yeah I know. Live and learn! That cup was too big to put in the little holder next to me - I'd have been knocking it with my hand at every turn. I can actually fit a bottle of water in the door pocket and that's gonna be it from now on I think. That was a mess to clean up, but I got her clean as a whistle before putting her into the garage.

But hey, the AC works great! And so do my seats!

Oh - and in the interest of full disclosure, I have to say that my cell phone usage in the car is OVER. I keep my bluetooth on which I can tap one button on my ear to answer, but other than that, the phone stays put up. CAMERA, TOO. This car really demands much more from me as a driver than my newer cars, physically and mentally.

VroomGrrl · 07-31-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Also, BUSS, I believe, makes fuses sized for the german cars...instead of an open element, they are glass encased. I feel they are superior in funtion to the Porsche factory equipment. I used to buy mine at the local NAPA store.

In addition to the fuses I got that were like what I took out (plastic), I saw the BUSS fuses and picked up an assortment package of these because they looked sturdier, but I wasn't sure how they'd work in my car. I'm glad to know I can use them.

VroomGrrl · 07-31-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim727

Kathy, love your enthusiasm!

Fuses are coded in two ways: by color and by Amp rating on the back. Remove the blown fuse and look at the back - there will be a number. Cross-check that number with the max rating your manual says the fuse should be. Replace with a fuse of the same rating as the manual says.

One end of the fuse holder is fixed, the other is a spring. In the spring end there is a hole and in the fixed end there is a socket; you want to grasp the fuse and gently apply pressure against the spring end to remove it.

Check both ends of the fuse holder for signs of corrosion and remove any corrosion you might find using spray contact cleaner, a very small wire brush, or whatever.

To reinstall the fuse, remember that it is very fragile. First insert one end of the fuse into the spring end of the holder and press gently until you can get the other end into the socket in the fixed end of the holder. At this point I like to rotate the fuse in both directions a few times to make sure I have good contact and actually found the socket.

Keep having fun.

I was knee deep in my trunk by the time you posted this. Wish I'd seen it first! I did wipe down the connection ends where the fuse went, but didn't spray or brush. I mangled the first replacement but I think it's just as well because they were OLD. This may be the original little box that came with the car 20 yrs ago I don't know. But anyway new ones were easy enough to find, and even wihtout the proper clean-up, the fuse worked just fine. All systems GO!

While I was in there, I saw a few others very close to going, mangled in various ways, etc. Would I be asking for trouble to go thru there and swap out the ones that are looking rough? Or do you think I should I just let them fail and replace as needed?