Why It's Important To Check Fuses Periodically. (not my DMC though)

[DMC5180]

Over the past couple years I've been plagued with a mysterious electrical intermittent issue in my lawnmowers starting system. I finally found it yesterday. The mower has 2 weatherproof Fuse holders that I rarely check. The last time was probably 4 years ago. (Because, hey they are weatherproof you know.) These fuses are 10 years old.

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The point is don't take your fuses for granted.

Lesson learned

[dvonk]

gross. :dead:

thanks for the tip. i should probably check out my DD fuses every once in a while...

[Jonathan]

Nice post! Thanks. I just added that to my winter storage/annual check-up list :)

[protodelorean]

Years ago, I had 1989 Ford Festiva. Great little carbureted 4 banger. Anyway, one day it suddenly wouldn't idle. It would start up and stay running as long as my foot was on the gas, but let off and it died. Middle of winter, I find a replacement carb in a local salvage yard and figured it would be easier to try and second carb. If that didn't work, at least I'd have a backup to rebuild. With 6" of snow on the ground, a tarp over the open hood, I'd let keep the engine running long enough to create some heat, then shut it off and start tearing the carb off.

Got the "new" one on and it started right up...then stalled when I let off the gas. SAME PROBLEM. (Can't be the carb.) So I start looking around and eventually make my way to the fuse panel where I discovered a blown fuse. A little more tracing and I discover this fuse controls an anti-dieseling solenoid on the carb. Essentially a little needle/seat that closes when you shut off the key to CUT ALL IDLE FUEL TO THE ENGINE. With a blown fuse the valve was staying closed all the time.

Inserted new fuse and car ran great again. So probably two weeks of futsing with it, $50 for the carb, as well as all the cursing at the thing for breaking in the middle of winter and in the end it was just a stupid fuse. If it was fuel injected, I may have been more likely to check for an electrical issue, but since it was carb'd, not so much.

So, in support of OP's topic, ALWAYS CHECK YOUR FUSES! (Hell, after that, I told my wife, her job is to tell me "Check the fuse first", (even if the problem is a flat tire :thumbup2:)

[Farrar]

I was going through the electrical compartment over the weekend and noticed that one of m y fuses had developed a little crack in its plastic. It was doing its electrical job, but I replaced it as a matter of course -- the last thing I need is for the plastic to break when I am trying to change the fuse.

Farrar

[David T]

One of the first things every owner should do when they get their car is to check each fuse. All too often a fuse blows and the DPO (dreaded previous owner) will stick in whatever is handy even if it is not the right size, and the bigger the better so it doesn't keep blowing. The cover for the fuse-block does NOT indicate the correct size for each position so the only way you can check it is to get the manual and go one-by-one. After that you want to keep an eye on the fuse-block for signs of overheating, melted plastic, discolored fuses. Leave the cover off but nearby and have an assortment of fuses. Especially #7.
David Teitelbaum

[Farrar]

One of the first things every owner should do when they get their car is to check each fuse.

And keep a list of fuses and ratings in the glove box (along with some spare fuses).

Farrar

[sean]

And keep a list of fuses and ratings in the glove box (along with some spare fuses).

Farrar

Every owner should do this.

[DMC5180]

Every owner should do this.

+1 I would print out the diagram found here:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?40-All-Wiring-Schematics&p=7640&viewfull=1#post7640
tape it too the Relay Area Cover:

I also keep a Laminated 11X17 color version of the wiring diagram under the shelf carpet at all times.