pics of restored fuse box please

[manta147]

Hey Guys,
I've kind of pushed my project to the side for the last year to focus on other things,but now that it's getting cooler I'm digging back in.After getting up enough courage to open my fuse box panel,I'm at a crossroads.The relay/fuses look like a mess,they're filthy and the old fuse spot for the RPM fuse was melted,looks like the PO ran a jumper.Also,it looks like there's loose,white insulation everywhere.Is this normal or something from a rodent?I don't know if I should just clean things up....or replace my fuse/relay boxes? All my electrics work....so don't know if I should fix something that's not broken? If possible,could someone please post pics of their compartments? Kind of like to see what it SHOULD look like.Thanks in advance,and as I get back in the swing I'm sure I'll be posting more.
Carter

[OverlandMan]

Hey Guys,
I've kind of pushed my project to the side for the last year to focus on other things,but now that it's getting cooler I'm digging back in.After getting up enough courage to open my fuse box panel,I'm at a crossroads.The relay/fuses look like a mess,they're filthy and the old fuse spot for the RPM fuse was melted,looks like the PO ran a jumper.Also,it looks like there's loose,white insulation everywhere.Is this normal or something from a rodent?I don't know if I should just clean things up....or replace my fuse/relay boxes? All my electrics work....so don't know if I should fix something that's not broken? If possible,could someone please post pics of their compartments? Kind of like to see what it SHOULD look like.Thanks in advance,and as I get back in the swing I'm sure I'll be posting more.
Carter

If anything is melted, I would definitely replace and investigate why it melted so it doesn't happen again. Sometimes folks put fuses rated too high in there and melting occurs. Other times folks bypass the fuse putting a jumper in and thus making things too hot when problems occur.

You can reference my compartment but keep in mind that I have a home-made fan relay system installed. In this pic, the fan & fan-fail relays are not installed. 12921

As for the white insulation, also not normal. I would get a shop vac after that and see what is missing insulation. Sounds like a possible rodent issue. Post a couple of pics too of your mess.

[82DMC12]

Just so happens I did a fuse box replacement myself last week...

Before:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/09/05/tazeje3u.jpg

After:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/09/05/bysu2uju.jpg

[Bitsyncmaster]

If you decide to install a new fuse block, I suggest you pull both relay banks up and remove the metal plate to get the most room to work. That is what I did and found there was plenty of wire. It took about 6 hours to do the fuse block.

[Spittybug]

OMG Dave, you could eat off the fuse box area!

[Bitsyncmaster]

OMG Dave, you could eat off the fuse box area!

Thanks. Got the plate powder coated, Moved the AUX relays further under the plate, removed a few circuit breakers and put my door lock ECU in the side so it does not show.

[manta147]

Thank you so much for your replies and pics. Mine looks NOTHING like that,so I will replace. Dave,which vendor did you get your blocks from????
Carter

[82DMC12]

OMG Dave, you could eat off the fuse box area!

Should we expect anything less from Dave? LOL

OK he put me to shame. I might have to go all out now since I can't drive my car until I get a windshield!!!

Andy

[Bitsyncmaster]

Thank you so much for your replies and pics. Mine looks NOTHING like that,so I will replace. Dave,which vendor did you get your blocks from????
Carter

Those are my solid state relays. I do sell them but it cost a lot more then the vendors kits.

[outatym2001]

Ladies and Gentlemen prepare to be amazed! Pictures of the Fuse Box have already been posted to this forum.
Bitsyncmaster you already posted pics of your Fuse Box.

Fuse box replacement
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?1021-Fuse-block-replacement

Hey Manta147. You want, you need, you have to have one of these Solid State RPM relays than Bitsyncmaster sells. I've got one installed in my D.
Solid State RPM relay
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?1665-Solid-State-RPM-relay

Thread below has a great colored version of the Electrical Compartment behind the passenger seat.
Starter Relay Mod
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?1294-Starter-Relay-Mod

[manta147]

Great links Mark,THANK YOU! I searched before I posted but these didn't come up.This is exactly what I was looking for.My fuse #7,Lambada/frequency valve relay is the one that's melted and jumped with a 25a fuse.Started the car tonight,and within 5mins of the car just idling the fuse and jumper gets hot to the touch.Thanks for all the replies....this reconfirms that I need to get this updated.
Carter

[Bitsyncmaster]

Great links Mark,THANK YOU! I searched before I posted but these didn't come up.This is exactly what I was looking for.My fuse #7,Lambada/frequency valve relay is the one that's melted and jumped with a 25a fuse.Started the car tonight,and within 5mins of the car just idling the fuse and jumper gets hot to the touch.Thanks for all the replies....this reconfirms that I need to get this updated.
Carter

Try unplugging the WUR connector and see if that fuse now runs cool. I've seen a few WUR short circuit where it's not enough to blow the 20 amp (it should be 20 amp).

[Elvis]

Oh yeah let's play before and after :-)

beat this:

1294312942

My last year's project. This car ran reliably for ~18 years in this condition !
A lot of stuff did not work, but the car never needed help to get back home.

I used aftermarket fuseholders, it got one relay per fan and remote door openers.

[jawn101]

Late to the party.. but here's my before and after too.

[Bitsyncmaster]

All very nice looking relay areas when you spend the time to put in that new fuse block. It makes you want to clean everything up when the fuse block looks so good.

[DMC5180]

This thread gave me the inspiration to tidy up my wire mess today.

I forgot to take a before shot but you get the Idea. Started with a trench of loose wires to both relay banks.
13125

13126

13127

13128

Last second decision to tuck my lockzilla remote between the tray and wheel arch (good idea Dave) I could not move the DLM because of the short power wire.


Note: If you are wondering why I have two RED resisters, I repositioned the wires in the socket to use this dropping resistor for lowering the light level of one incandescent bulb the A/C panel illumination lights. I run 3 LED's and 1 incandescent for the HOT/COLD ARC. I don't like the way LED's washout the RED to make it look PINK.

Only had one OH CRAP moment when one wire broke out of the back of the fuse box. Take a guess which wire it was..................... that would be fuse #7 brown wire to the lambda relay. Fortunately, I had some left over terminals from my fuse box replacement several years ago.

[Bitsyncmaster]

[/I]Note: If you are wondering why I have two RED resisters, I repositioned the wires in the socket to use this dropping resistor for lowering the light level of one incandescent bulb the A/C panel illumination lights. I run 3 LED's and 1 incandescent for the HOT/COLD ARC. I don't like the way LED's washout the RED to make it look PINK.


My next design project is an LED board for the AC panel. I'm still using incandescent bulbs also.

[Chris4099]

This thread gave me the inspiration to tidy up my wire mess today.

I forgot to take a before shot but you get the Idea. Started with a trench of loose wires to both relay banks.

Very nice, but I would make one recommendation. You appear to have original underrated relays. It would be a good idea to replace them with modern ones. You can tell they are the under rated as they have a metal case without a diagonal stripe on top.

This thread is seriously making me want to rip out the passenger seat and tear into my relay compartment! Everything is working great, but it's one big mess after doing so many mods and additions over the years.

[DMC5180]

Very nice, but I would make one recommendation. You appear to have original underrated relays. It would be a good idea to replace them with modern ones. You can tell they are the under rated as they have a metal case without a diagonal stripe on top.

This thread is seriously making me want to rip out the passenger seat and tear into my relay compartment! Everything is working great, but it's one big mess after doing so many mods and additions over the years.


Nope. All the relays are updated. They are BOSCH 30 amp (metal case) circa 1994. They just look old. The OE relays were (metal case) yellow zinc plated.