Currently, cars have more and more on-board electronics to make driving easier and safer. There are fuses that protect automobiles when an electrical fault occurs that could generate an overvoltage or even a fire. You should know that the higher the current, the more heat there is. The fuses play their role at this time.
The role of the fuse
The fuses are located in a box of the same name which is usually located under the dashboard or under the engine hood. Each of these fuses is designed to melt at a certain temperature. If the electrical voltage increases then the fuse is a circuit breaker by melting and it thus stops the flow of electrical current. Typically, automotive equipment is the cause of a short circuit . They must then be identified and repaired.
Why does the blown fuse cause an electrical fault?
If suddenly an element of the car no longer works such as a turn signal, the radio or even a high beam, etc., it is because a fuse has blown. If the fuse corresponding to the element has blown, there is a fault. The fuse then broke or melted . The blown fuse is then a security warning you that an electrical problem exists. It prevents and thus avoids a serious problem, even a fire.
Test a fuse
If a fuse no longer seems to be working, it must be replaced, but first, it is necessary to test it. You will need a multimeter and protective gloves for this. You have to start with taking the fuse in question out of the box and checking its condition. It is often possible to spot a fault with the naked eye, as car fuses have a transparent envelope that reveals the conductive part. If the fuse has blown, then that part is melted. It is possible not to see anything with the naked eye, so the fuse should be tested. For this operation, the multimeter must be in the ohmmeter position. You must connect the black wire and the red wire on the multimeter in order to know which number is displayed and connect the two wires to the fuse. This figure then corresponds to the voltage of the fuse. If it is the same as the previous one, the fuse is good. If it is different, then the fuse must be changed.
The different fuses
On a car there are different fuses. You must therefore know how to identify them well to change them. The fuse that no longer works must therefore be replaced with a fuse of the same type. Fuses all have a rating size like:
Each of them is in a different color from the others and this unique color corresponds to the DIN 72581 standard . So, to change a fuse that no longer works, you can easily identify it by its color and replace it with a new fuse of the same color and rating . If you make a mistake and put in a higher caliber fuse, it will melt at a higher temperature than that given by the vehicle manufacturer. This change should not be taken lightly, because in this case, in the event of a short circuit, then there may be a fire.
Changing a fuse
Once the blown fuse is identified, to change it, it is better to disconnect a terminal from the battery so as not to take electricity. You must then open the fuse box, take out the HS fuse using long pliers and then simply put the new fuse back in the same place.
Operation cost
Changing a fuse on your own is very inexpensive, as a fuse box costs less than €5. It is advisable to always have three to four spare fuses to avoid a breakdown when riding. Spare fuses can be stored on the back of the fuse box access box. When one of them is toast, you have to think about changing it immediately to avoid getting stuck.
If you do not want to change a fuse yourself, you can always have it done by a mechanic, but given the very low cost and the ease of intervention,