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348 A/C fuse overheating

Discussion in '348/355' started by BT, Apr 27, 2005.

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  1. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    Mar 21, 2005
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    Bill Tracy
    #1 BT, Apr 27, 2005
    FYI - I have recently replaced the fuse block on my 89 348 due to a melted A/C blower fuse that melted into the fuse block. Anyway, when I brought the car to Tim Stanford's in Fort Lauderdale, they indicated there are a number of relays in the circuit that add resistance and cause excessive heating of the fuses. They said it can be a real fire hazard. They recommend (and are doing for me) the following: install a heavier gauge wire with a separate circuit breaker to bypass the relays and fuse box. Thought I would post it in case anyone else is having this same problem with their 348.
    BT
     
  2. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
    2,722
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    David Jones
    #2 Dave, Apr 27, 2005
    Hey Bill,
    I hate to say this, but it sounds to me that you have a problem somewhere in that circuit.
    And rather than addressing that problem by taking the time to track down the culprit, they are just wiring around it.
    You know there are relays in a circuit for a reason.
     
  3. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    Bill Tracy
    #3 BT, May 6, 2005
  4. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
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    #4 Dave, May 6, 2005
    JRV did it the proper way, by replacing the faulty component
    and thus keeping the needed relays in place.
    Instead of bypassing the relays by creating a new circuit.
     
  5. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
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    Kenneth
    #5 Ken, May 6, 2005
    A fuse in a relay circuit to protect the fuse box?? Oh brother; you've been hanging around the Lotus boys way too long! Find the problem and fix it!!

    Ken
     
  6. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    #6 BT, May 6, 2005
    Lotus, what Lotus??? I actually hang out with MG drivers. You hurt my feelers (as my nephew would say). I am sure there are some electrical gremlins best ferreted out, but some just need to be bypassed if the design is not functional in the long run. The factory set up is a 30 Amp blade fuse in line with a 12 gauge wire that will consistently be at a temp that I am not comfortable with. I think it is using one of my two operating brain cells to avoid the fire (which I have seen the remains of two 348 wires at the mechanics) which MAY happen using factory wiring. BTW the Lotus is a beatiful creature whether it is in the repair bay or immobilized on the side of the road.

    BT
     
  7. brent Lachelt

    brent Lachelt Formula 3

    Dec 6, 2003
    1,831
    Brownsburg, INDIANA
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    Brent R.Lachelt
    #7 brent Lachelt, May 6, 2005
    Just did this update to my 348 today. The factory fuse looked OK, but I liked the beefer fuse holder that is in the picture. Those larger 30 amp gold plated fuse holders are sold at many car stereo stores. I paid $15 for one. Very easy to do.
     

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