Older Car/Replace All Fuses - Preventative?

[LanceS4803]

I'm seeing numerous issues lately on the board with bad fuses being a potential culprit. From old and crumbly, to just worn out.

On older cars, is it worth it to just replace all the fuses as a preventative measure and peace of mind?

[kach22i]

A couple of years ago I had a few fall apart in my hand, so I replaced them all.

I found a couple of fuses had the wrong rating in the slots in the process.

[Josh D]

Then there is also the concern that they don't make parts like they used to, and a newer part my fail before the old part does.

[walt]

Just clean the contact points with some super fine emery, replace the fuse and your good to go.

[porsche930dude]

yup look for a diagram of the fuse pannel for your year car. Both my porsches 3/4s of the fuses were the wrong rating and many were crumbling as you said

[chrismorse]

Doing all of the relays isn't a bad idea either.

Going a step further, trying to avoid electrical issues, you might consider disassembling all of the grounds, cleaning and sealing the connections.

A buddy of mine just bought a restored TR3 and he had some expensive, magic stuff used in military aircraft to ensure flawless conduction, both of the grounds and the fuses.

I'll post it when I have a more lucid moment, I'm 66 today :-)
chris

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by walt

Just clean the contact points with some super fine emery, replace the fuse and your good to go.

Yes, and check the screw holding the wire in is tight too.

[HawgRyder]

Or...you can replace the entire fuse holder assembly with a new style one.
This might slow down the possibility of being left on the side of a lonely back road at 2:00 AM trying to flag down non-existant cars!
Our babies are approaching 50 years old...so...do you want total originality....or a reliable car?
Bob

[Michael T]

I just replaced all the fuses with Bussmann copper fuses. Next will be the grounds and the relays.

[LanceS4803]

Originally Posted by HawgRyder

Our babies are approaching 50 years old...so...do you want total originality....or a reliable car?
Bob

Reliable!
I've seen too many cars doing the "walk of shame" on the back of a flatbed.

Some good advice in here. and I've got some work to do. Thanks much.

[ganun]

YES, and with a Dremel, with the tiny wire wheel attached clean the fuse holder contacts. Good idea to replace all the relays. Start fresh.

[manbridge 74]

All fuses are not equal! Look for the good brass ones. They don't go bad and cause problems due to dissimilar metals. Old German ones out of VWs are my favorite. The aluminum ones or the later copper "colored" ones should be avoided like the plague.

[Tremelune]

Keep a bunch of different fuses in the car and leave them alone until there is a problem.