Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: Terbs on 27 July 2016, 16:52:45

Title: Fuse quality
Post by: Terbs on 27 July 2016, 16:52:45

Left home yesterday (2.5 Elite Estate) all well until leaving M27, when steering felt heavy. Later noticed no aircon/heater. This morning, checked fuse 14...blown. Replaced, turned on ignition, turned on aircon...working. Started engine..fuse 14 blew. Replaced with another fuse...fuse blew. Not having any more 30amp. I put a 20amp in (bit better looking quality) turned on ignition, then aircon...all ok. Started engine, went for a drive around the block...all ok, and steering feels light again.
Are fuses supposed to conform to the same spec? Why did three 30amps blow (including original) but the 20amp is holding ok (so far)
Obviously, need to know what caused the problem in the first place. Only thing common is cambelt was changed last week, but car was ok until yesterday. :(

Title: Re: Fuse quality
Post by: Kevin Wood on 27 July 2016, 17:15:36

Sounds like you have an intermittent fault somewhere.  :-\

Title: Re: Fuse quality
Post by: RobG on 27 July 2016, 18:08:48

Check all connections and wiring under driver`s seat. May have to be a battery off, seat out jobbie

Title: Re: Fuse quality
Post by: TheBoy on 27 July 2016, 18:58:55

Also, what was plugged in ciggy lighter...

Title: Re: Fuse quality
Post by: Kevin Wood on 27 July 2016, 23:48:34

Quote from: TheBoy on 27 July 2016, 18:58:55

Also, what was plugged in ciggy lighter...

Good point. :y 20p piece would do it. ;)

Title: Re: Fuse quality
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 28 July 2016, 09:58:13

Sounds intermittent, like I had recently. But I do wonder about fuse quality, I tend to get 'original' Vx fuses from scrap cars, rather than buying them new from charlie browns / Daves Autos or whatever.

Title: Re: Fuse quality
Post by: Terbs on 28 July 2016, 12:24:36

Thanks for the replies, chaps. Going to follow them all up, starting with the cig lighter (nothing has been plugged in) :y
Also assuming a lower amp fuse is ok, just that if there is a problem, it will blow under less load. :)

Title: Re: Fuse quality
Post by: Kevin Wood on 28 July 2016, 16:23:54

What can sometimes help with diagnosis is to connect a large light bulb (e.g. a headlight bulb) in place of the fuse. Turn on the ignition, and it'll probably glow dimly. Then pull the wiring around a bit and see if it lights up full brightness. If it does, you've found the short.

Title: Re: Fuse quality
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 28 July 2016, 16:27:46

Nice idea  :)

Title: Re: Fuse quality
Post by: Dave DND on 02 August 2016, 09:52:52

Quote from: Kevin Wood on 28 July 2016, 16:23:54

What can sometimes help with diagnosis is to connect a large light bulb (e.g. a headlight bulb) in place of the fuse. Turn on the ignition, and it'll probably glow dimly. Then pull the wiring around a bit and see if it lights up full brightness. If it does, you've found the short.

Not heard that one before, but thats quite clever   :y

Title: Re: Fuse quality
Post by: frostbite on 02 August 2016, 10:05:34

I had this in my cdx, I changed the radio and as I slide the new one in I sliced a grey wire in the loom which blew a fuse leaving me with no climate control, no radio and no lights

Title: Re: Fuse quality
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 02 August 2016, 10:34:33

I very, very nearly had the same issue - had no FM, which I eventually traced to a duff head unit, on replacing it, discovered a wire caught, chewed, and frayed by the head unit.... as luck would have it it was clinging on to life. Taped and moved well out of the way and no further issues, but equally could have caused all manner of headaches. Feel your pain  :y