How To Tell If A Fuse Is Blown

Procedure – Many electrical devices used in eye care have an externally accessible fuse near the electrical cord ( Figure 1 ) that you can check and replace by following these steps.

1. Disconnect the device from the electrical system.
2. Remove the fuse from its holder. In some cases you may need a small screwdriver to unscrew the fuse holder cap.
3. Look at the fuse wire. If there is a visible gap in the wire or a dark or metallic smear inside the glass then the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced. If you cannot see whether the fuse is blown, follow steps 4 and 5. If the fuse is definitely blown, go to step 6.
4. Set a multimeter ( Figure 2 ) to the resistance or Ω (Ohms) setting.
5. Place one of the multimeter leads on one end of the fuse. Place the other lead on the other end of the fuse. If the reading is between 0 and 5 Ω (Ohms), the fuse is good. A higher reading indicates a bad or degraded fuse. A reading of OL (Over Limit) definitely means a blown fuse.
6. If the fuse is blown, replace the fuse with one that is exactly the same (see panel). Make sure to note the fuse amperage and voltage ratings, which should be marked on the fuse itself ( Figure 3 ) or on the panel label near the fuse holder. Additionally, note the size and whether it is a slow-blow or a fast-blow type fuse. If there are no markings on the fuse itself or on the equipment you must consult the device’s operating manual.

Can a fuse be blown without looking like it?

How to Test for a Blown Fuse – Many blown fuses look the part, with obvious cracks and grey metallic ash inside. However, some blown fuses look perfectly fine. Additionally, many fuses are not transparent so you can’t even see inside. How do you test them in that case? It’s time to break out the multimeter.

Turn off any power leading to the circuit box from the main breaker. As an added safety precaution, wear rubber gloves and stand on a rubber mat before removing the fuses. Remove any fuses you want to check. To remove a fuse, just pull it out of the slot (this is why the gloves come in handy, as does shutting off the power). Turn the dial on the multimeter so it is set to “continuity.” You can use the Ohm setting here but this is the quicker option. Before testing the fuses, put the positive and negative leads together and listen for a beep. This indicates that the multimeter is functioning properly. Put each lead on either side of the fuse. Fuses are simple, containing just a single wire, so it does not matter which lead goes where. Positive, negative, it’s all the same to a fuse. Hold the leads against the fuse and listen for continuous beeping, as this indicates a fuse is in good working order. If you don’t hear anything at all, or only sporadic beeping, the fuse is blown. If you are using a digital multimeter, receiving a reading of “OL”, “Open, or “Not Complete,” or getting no reading at all indicates a blown fuse. Rinse and repeat, as a standard fuse box contains anywhere from six to 12 fuses, or more in some cases.

What happens when a fuse blows?

The Anatomy of a Fuse – Two different types of fuses control 120-volt circuits and 240-volt circuits in older electrical systems. For 120-volt circuits, the fuses are small ceramic screw-in devices that fit into threaded sockets in the fuse panel, much the way lightbulbs screw into lamp sockets.

• Inside the fuse, there is a metal ribbon through which all the current on the circuit passes.
• The ribbon is sized to match the circuit wire gauge, and if too much current passes through the ribbon, it melts through, or “blows,” and the circuit goes dead.
• The face of the fuse has a small glass window through which you can see the metal ribbon, and when a fuse blows, you will see the metal ribbon melted through, or a cloudiness in the glass.

Screw-in fuses are typically 15-amp or 20-amp fuses, or occasionally 30-amp. For 240-volt circuits that control major appliance circuits, such as an air conditioner or electric range, the fuses are small cartridge devices that fit between metal contacts, usually fitted into a fuse block that can be pulled out from the fuse panel in order to change the fuses.

Will a blown fuse fix itself?

I BLEW A FUSE! WHAT DO I DO? Have you ever blown a fuse and not known what to do? Look no further than our list of five things we suggest you do.

Turn Everything Off First things first: Stay calm and figure out what has been affected. When a fuse blows, it typically happens to only one section of your home. Find out what section that is, and turn everything in that section off, including light switches and appliances. Typically, this happens because there was too much strain on the system – a lot of appliances were working overtime. Cut back in the future to prevent more blown fuses. Check Appliances It’s a smart idea to test your affected appliances in a working outlet. Obviously, you can’t really do this with a dishwasher or oven, but test what you can. If an appliance refuses to work even with electricity, it was probably the cause of your blown fuse. Bad news, it is now dead. Good news, new ones sure look nice. Check the Fuse Box Head over to your gray fuse box. If you don’t know where it is, you can find it in your garage, basement, utility room, and similar places. Open the box and look for clear signs of damage like burn marks, melted wires, or discolored glass. If a fuse has blown, you will need to replace it. Start by turning off the master switch to the box (you’ll need a flashlight afterward), and take out the affected component – it’s usually held in with a couple screws or brackets. You can use it to find an exact match at your hardware store. Replace the Fuse With replacement fuses in hand, head back to the box: Bring your flashlight and a helpful friend too! Carefully screw in the new fuse, and then flip the master switch back to on. Turn on appliances one at a time to make sure they are all working and have compatible amperage. Call for Help if Necessary Fuse boxes come in many different styles. You may have to cut and replace the fuse wire as well as replacing the fuse itself. You may also find that a fuse continues to blow no matter how many times you replace it. If you ever feel you are in over your head, stop, Don’t try to do things you don’t understand. Call a to come out and take a look instead. Newer homes have a circuit breaker panel that has breakers designed to trip and simply be reset. You reset these breakers by first turning them off and back on. If it holds, check to see if you have power, if not call Ragsdale immediately.

What happens if you touch a fuse?

If you touch the metal body then a small current will probably flow through you as you are a good conductor and there is probably a conducting path to the earth via your shoes. That small current will have a large effect on you and you will get an electric shock.

Can a fuse be weak but not blown?

It is possible for automotive fuses to go bad without blowing. They may become corroded due to moisture, but it very rarely happens. Most of the time, they just get blown. Even if fuse corrosion almost never happens, your automotive fuses are still worth checking out routinely to make sure they’re all good.

How do you diagnose fuses?

Step 1: Identify the blown fuse. – If the fuse can be removed from the circuit, then the easiest way to determine if it has blown is a continuity test. Grab a multimeter and select the continuity or resistance setting. Perform a quick test of the meter to ensure it’s functioning properly by touching the leads together until you hear a beep or see 0 ohms.

• Now, after the circuit has been powered off, place the leads on either side of the fuse and if you hear that same beep, and the meter has a very low resistance reading, the fuse is still good.
• If you do not hear the beep, and/or the multimeter reads OL, then the fuse is blown.
• Another way to test the fuse is by measuring the voltage across it with a digital multimeter.

This is helpful if the fuse is not able to be easily removed from the circuit. To do this, leave the circuit powered on and switch your meter to measure voltage. Make sure to select DC for DC circuits and AC for AC circuits. Take proper precautions to isolate yourself from dangerous voltages.

Can fuses be tested with a test light?

Download Article Download Article A test light is a tool used to check fuse power that consists of a cable with a grounding clamp, a handle with a probe, and a light. This wikiHow article will teach you how to test fuses in your vehicle and your home with a test light.

1. 1 Find your vehicle’s fuse box panel and remove the panel’s cover. The fuse box panel is usually located under the hood, underneath or on the side of the dash, in the glovebox, or in the trunk. The fuse box panel is a panel with different colored and numbered fuses. Pry the plastic cover off once you find the panel.
   • Different vehicles have fuse box panels in different places. Read your owner’s manual or search online if you can’t find the fuse box panel in your vehicle.
   • Note that some vehicles may have multiple fuse boxes.
2. 2 Ground the test light’s clip or clamp on a grounded metal surface. Squeeze the clip or clamp to open it up and place it over the car battery’s negative terminal, a bolt, or another nearby, unpainted metal surface on the vehicle. The test light must be grounded for it to work.
   • What you ground the test light to depends on where the fuse box panel is located. For example, if it is located underneath the dash, the test light cable won’t reach the car’s battery. However, you could find a nearby bolt on the car door hinge.
   • Any unpainted piece of metal on the vehicle will work to ground the test light. For instance, it could be a part of the metal frame under the hood or a nut or bolt on the engine block.

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3. 3 Poke the tip of the test light’s probe into 1 of the holes on a fuse to test it. Pick a fuse that you want to test. Hold the test light by the handle and stick the pointy metal tip of the probe into 1 of the 2 round or square holes on the fuse.
   • Note that you don’t need to have your vehicle or any of its accessories powered on to test a fuse and you don’t have to pull out the fuses to test them.

   Tip : If you aren’t sure which fuse you need to test, check the inside of the fuse box panel’s cover for the different fuses listed with numbers that correspond to their location on the panel. If the cover doesn’t have a list, look in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

4. 4 Wait for the test light to light up to determine whether a fuse is working. The test light will light up right away when you poke the probe into a working fuse. The fuse is likely blown if the test light doesn’t light up.
   • If you find a blown fuse, you can just pull it out with your fingers or a pair of pliers and replace it with a new fuse to fix the issue.
5. 5 Test the second hole on the fuse. Stick the metal tip of the probe into the other hole. Watch for the test light to go on to verify that the fuse is fully functional.
   • The 2 holes on each fuse are for testing the power in and the power out, so make sure to check both the holes to ensure the fuse is working 100%. If only 1 of the holes lights up the test light, the fuse is probably blown.

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1. 1 Turn off any electronics in the area that you are testing the fuse for. Turn off all the lights and unplug any electrical appliances from outlets in the room that you want to test the fuse for. This will help avoid electrical surges.
   • For example, if you’re testing the fuse that supplies power to the bathroom, turn off all the bathroom lights and unplug things like hair dryers from the outlets.
2. 2 Make sure the fuse you want to test is in the “on” position. Open up your breaker box and locate the switch for the fuse you want to test. Flip the fuse switch on if it is off or partially off.
   • Your breaker box probably has a list of the breakers and the areas of the home that they correspond to, or it might have labels right next to the breaker switches themselves.
   • Breaker boxes are usually located in a basement, garage, utility closet or kitchen. Some homes may have them in different places. If you aren’t sure where yours is, just look around for a panel on a wall that you can open up.
3. 3 Clip the test light’s clip onto the bare metal of the breaker box. Squeeze the test light’s alligator clip or clamp to open it up, then clip it onto a piece of bare metal on the breaker box that surrounds the fuse panel.
   • Some fuse panels have a grounding screw that you can attach the clip to. This screw is usually located just above the main breaker. If you aren’t sure, just stick to grounding the clip on the surrounding metal box.
4. 4 Touch the test light’s probe to the fuse’s screw. Look for the exposed screw to the left or right of the breaker switch you want to test. Hold your test light by the handle and touch the pointy metal tip of the probe to the fuse’s screw.
   • Each breaker switch has 1 corresponding screw that attaches the wires to the switch, so it should be very clear which screw you need to touch to test each breaker.
5. 5 Watch to see if the test light turns on to find out if the fuse works. The test light will light up immediately if the fuse is working properly. The fuse is likely bad if the test light does not turn on.
   • If a breaker switch flips off before you can test it or while you’re testing it, and there is no electricity being used in the room you’re testing that fuse for, there could be a wiring problem. If this happens, contact a licensed electrician to come and check your wiring out and troubleshoot the issue.

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1. 1 Connect the test light’s clip or clamp to a metal surface to ground it. Any metal surface on the car or the car battery’s negative terminal will work for this. Squeeze the clip or clamp open and slide it onto the ground source, then release the clip or clamp to secure it in place.
   • You can buy a test light online for as little as $10 USD. You could also purchase one at an auto supply shop or home improvement center.
2. 2 Touch the tip of the test light’s probe to a positive power source. The probe is the metal needle at the end of the cable that has the handle. Hold the test light by the handle and touch the end of this needle against the car battery’s positive terminal or any other positive power source.
   • You could use any positive battery cable or a fuse that you know is working for this.
3. 3 Watch for the test light to light up to see if it is working. The test light will light up as soon as you touch the probe to the power source. Proceed with testing your fuses once you are sure that your test light is working properly.
   • If the test light doesn’t light up, double-check that it is grounded or try a different power source. If it still doesn’t light up after testing it again, you may need to replace it.

   Tip : If you know your test light is working, you can also use this method to check whether a car battery has power. The procedure is exactly the same. You just connect the test light’s clip to the battery’s negative terminal, then probe the positive terminal and watch for the test light to go on.

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• Test lights are generally cheaper than multimeters, but they don’t provide you with additional info like voltage.
• If you find and remove a blown fuse, save it and take it to an automotive supply shop and ask for a replacement.

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Always hold a test light by the handle when you’re probing a fuse to avoid electrical shocks.

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How do I know which fuse to replace?

Download Article Download Article A blown fuse can be annoying, but it actually helps prevent electrical damage and fire. Fortunately, fuses are inexpensive and easy to replace. If the power’s out in your home or car, you should be able to check the fuses simply by looking at them.

1. 1 Look for the fuse box in your basement or garage. Check for a metal box with a door; inside you’ll see lots of glass fuses that screw into sockets. Typically, fuse boxes are located in basements, garages, laundry rooms, and attics.
   • If you have trouble finding your fuse box, check the utility meter outside your home. Try to follow the wire that leads from the meter. Fuse boxes and circuit breakers are usually located near where power enters the house.
   • Older homes have glass fuses that look like light bulbs. When fuses blow, they need to be replaced. Newer homes, on the other hand, have circuit breakers instead, which just need to be flipped and reset.
2. 2 Turn off the power and unplug the appliances on the blown circuit. Look for a large switch at the top of the panel and toggle it from “On” to “Off.” In addition to shutting off the main power, unplug the appliances that turned off when the fuse blew. That way, they won’t overload the replacement fuse when you turn on main power.
   • If there’s no main power switch, you should see a large block at the top of the panel. Pull it out and check for “On” and “Off labels. If it’s labeled, reinsert it with the “Off” side facing up. If there’s no label, set the block aside while you replace the blown fuse.

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3. 3 Check the fuses for charred glass or broken filaments. See if there’s a diagram or labels on the inside of the panel door. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to look up the room where the power went out and track down the corresponding fuse. Twist that fuse counterclockwise, pull it out from the socket, and look inside the glass for black marks or a broken filament wire.
   • If your fuse box is unlabeled, check each fuse individually for charred marks or broken filaments. Once you’ve found the one that blew, label it! If you label your fuses every time you replace one, you’ll eventually have a full diagram of the box.
4. 4 Swap the blown fuse out for one with the same power rating. Look for a number on the fuse, which indicates its amp rating. Write down the number or take the blown fuse with you to the hardware store to ensure you get an identical match. Then, plug the replacement fuse in and turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
   • Fuse ratings vary by country, but common amperages include 15, 20, and 30.

   Safety Warning: Never use a fuse with a higher amperage than the one that blew. Installing the wrong fuse can cause electrical damage or a fire.

5. 5 Turn the power back on to test the new fuse. Once you’ve plugged in the fuse, double-check to make sure you disconnected all of your electrical devices from the broken circuit. When you’re ready, flip the main fuse switch or reinsert the main block to restore power to your home. Then test the circuit by checking the lights or plugging in your electronic devices.
   • If your electronics still don’t work after replacing the fuse, shut down main power and make sure the fuse is tightly connected.
   • If the fuse blows again soon after you replaced it, you may be using more electrical devices than the circuit can handle. Try using fewer devices or unplug non-essential appliances when they’re not in use.
   • If you still can’t find the problem, call an experienced electrician. It could mean that your home’s wiring is faulty.

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1. 1 Look under the hood or dashboard for your vehicle’s fuse box. Many cars have 2 or more fuse boxes, but there’s no universal standard for their placement. Most manufacturers place them near the car’s engine or battery, beneath the steering wheel, or inside the glove box. Look for a gray or black box; it may be labeled as “Fuses.”
   • Check your car’s manual if you have trouble finding the fuse boxes. If you don’t have your manual, search online for “fuse box placement” plus your car’s year, make, and model.
2. 2 Find the fuse that controls the device that’s stopped working. Lift the latch on the side of the fuse box to loosen the cover. Check the inside of the lid for a diagram of the devices each fuse controls. Your manual may also include a diagram but, if all else fails, you can also find information on your specific vehicle online.
   • The diagram will also list the fuse’s amperage, which you’ll need to know to purchase a replacement.
   • Be sure to turn your car off before troubleshooting the fuse box.
3. 3 Remove the blown fuse from the box using fuse pullers or tweezers. Some cars and fuse replacement kits include small plastic fuse pullers, which you can use to pluck the fuse from the box. If you don’t have fuse pullers handy, a pair of tweezers will do the trick. In a pinch, you can also carefully pull the fuse from the box with your fingers.
   • Make sure your car is completely off before you pull out the blown fuse. Keep the keys out of the ignition to avoid accidentally putting it in “Run” or “Accessories” mode. Otherwise, you could get a nasty shock.
4. 4 Check the fuse for a broken filament or discoloration. Car fuses are small, so it’s a little tougher to find signs that one blew. Hold it up to the light and look closely inside for a thin wire that connects the 2 sides of the fuse. If the wire is broken, or if you see charred marks, the fuse has blown.
   • If the wire is intact and the fuse seems fine, double-check your diagram to ensure you have the correct fuse. If you’ve checked each fuse individually and none have blown, your car’s electrical system may need a mechanic’s attention.
   • If you’re not able to visually tell if the fuse has blown, then you may need to check the fuses with a multimeter to determine if it’s working.
5. 5 Install a new fuse with an amperage that matches the one that blew. Head to an auto shop or major retailer’s automotive department to find fuses for your car. Bring the blown fuse with you to ensure you get the right match. Once you’ve purchased the right replacement, simply insert it into the slot where you removed the blown fuse.
   • Make sure the car is off before you set the fuse into the empty slot. Press down with a little pressure until it pops into place.
   • Car fuses are color-coded, so if the fuses are a different color, you know right away they aren’t a match. Additionally, be sure the prong shape of the new fuse matches the old one. If necessary, ask an employee at the store for help finding the right replacement.

   Tip: If your car is disabled due to a blown fuse, you could swap out a matching fuse that controls a non-essential device. For instance, if the fuse that controls your ignition blew, you could temporarily use the one for your radio, as long as the 2 fuses are identical.

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1. 1 Check automotive fuses with a simple test light. Put your key in the ignition and turn it to accessories mode. Open the fuse box, then insert the tester’s probe into the tiny port on the face of a fuse. If the tester lights up, the fuse is working properly.
   • Using a test light is a great way to find a blown fuse when you can’t identify visual signs, such as a broken filament or black marks.
   • You can find car fuse test lights online, at auto shops, and in the automotive department at most major retailers. The tester has 1 or 2 prongs that fit into the tiny test ports on the outside face of all automotive fuses.

   Tip: There’s no need to turn on the car’s engine, but be sure to test your car’s fuses in accessories mode. Otherwise, there won’t be an electrical current flowing to the fuses. Just remember to turn off the car before removing a fuse.

2. 2 Test a plug fuse with a multimeter if you don’t see signs that it blew. Set your multimeter to test resistance; the setting looks like the Greek letter omega, or “Ω.” Turn off the fuse box’s main power switch, then remove the fuse you’d like to test. Set the fuse glass-side-down on a non-conductive surface, such as a wood workbench or laminate counter, so the metal plug end faces up.
   • Plug fuses, which are often found in home fuse boxes, have threaded terminals that look like the ends of standard light bulbs. To test it, touch one of the multimeter’s probes to the very tip of the fuse’s terminal. Touch the other probe to the side of the terminal near where the threading stops.
   • If the multimeter displays a resistance between 0 and 5 Ω (ohms), the fuse is good. A higher resistance means a degraded or potentially blown fuse, and a reading of OL (over limit) means the fuse is definitely blown.
   • Like an automotive test light, using a multimeter to test a home plug fuse is a good solution if you suspect a blown fuse but can’t find any clear visual signs.
3. 3 Use a multimeter to test cylindrical fuses in electronic devices. If your electronic instrument or appliance is on the fritz, remove the fuse according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, electronic devices use tube-shaped fuses with a glass body and terminals at each end. Set your multimeter to test resistance, and place the fuse on a non-conductive surface.
   • Touch one of the multimeter’s probes to each of the fuse’s terminals. As with plug fuses, a resistance reading of 0 to 5 Ω means the fuse works. A higher reading or a reading of OL means the fuse is bad.
   • You can inspect cylindrical fuses for broken filaments or charred marks just like automotive and plug fuses. However, if you can’t see clearly inside the fuse, testing it with a multimeter can help you figure out whether or not it works.

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• Keep a few extra fuses on hand in your car or home so you can make a quick repair when necessary.
• If the replacement fuse blows shortly after installation, your car or home may have a more serious problem. Call an experienced mechanic or electrician for advice.

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To avoid electrical shock, always turn off the electricity before touching any fuses.

Advertisement Article Summary X To check fuses in your home fuse box, first find the fuse box, which may be located in your garage, basement, utility room, or attic. Once you find the fuse box, shut off the power at the main switch. To avoid overloading the replacement fuse, also unplug any appliances that turned off when the fuse blew.

1. After the power is off, locate the fuse that corresponds to the room where the power went out and twist it out of its socket.
2. Check if the fuse is broken by looking inside the glass for black char marks or a broken filament wire.
3. When you’ve identified the blown fuse, replace it with a new one that has the same power rating, then turn the power back on to test it.

To learn how to check fuses in a car, read on! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 659,155 times.

Is blowing a fuse a fire hazard?

Additionally, fuse panels are notorious fire hazards. Even when installed correctly, if you use the wrong type of fuse when replacing one that’s blown, you could experience a dangerous house fire. Always make sure to have your electrical system inspected every 3-5 years and before closing on a new home.

How long do fuses last?

How long does a fuse last? If the fuse does not operate then it will typically last 20 – 30 years as long as it is operating within its design limitations. If it is in a higher cyclic operating temperature i.e. very cold or very hot, then this can reduce its life.

Can a fuse cause a fire?

Studies of electrical fires in homes show that many problems are associated with improper installation of electrical devices by do-it-yourselfers. Common errors that can lead to fires include the use of improperly rated devices such as switches or receptacles and loose connections at these devices.

Both can lead to overheating and arcing that can start fires. Fires are still caused by people using the wrong size fuse or even putting a penny behind a fuse when they don’t have a spare. These practices are very dangerous. The fuse is a safety device designed to limit the electricity carried by the circuit to a safe level.

Electricity and water are a bad combination. All electrical devices installed outdoors should be specially designed for outdoor use. Outdoor receptacles as well as those in kitchens, bathrooms, and anywhere else near water should be the ground fault circuit interrupting type ( GFCI ).

What breaks a fuse?

Overloaded Circuit The most common cause of a blown fuse we see as experienced Electricians in Sheffield is when something draws too much power from the circuit. This is most often caused by either too many lights or from using too many plug-in appliances at once.

Is a blown fuse expensive to fix?

Home > Question > How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Car Fuse? Electronic parts of a car often include fuses. These parts alone can cost anywhere from $10 to $20 on their own. Labor costs are often the bulk of the cost to fix car fuses, with fees ranging from $65 to $100 per hour. The average car fuse repair job costs anywhere from $110 to $140. If your fuses are damaged in a car accident along with other parts of your vehicle, never pay for repairs or replacements again while saving with car insurance from Insurance Navy. Whether you’re looking for just basic or full coverage insurance, affordable and even cheap car insurance for any level of coverage is a click away. Start with a free quote today and see how much you can save.

Is it expensive to fix a fuse?

Fuse Box Replacement Parts Cost – Fuse boxes and circuit breakers are composed of several parts, including wiring and fuses or switches. If you simply blew a fuse, you likely don’t need to replace the whole box; all you need to replace is the fuse itself.

Can you see a blown car fuse?

3. Remove & inspect the fuse – After turning the car off completely, find your fuse and remove it by grabbing it with a fuse puller (these are usually stored inside the fuse box). If there isnt one around, a trusty pair of needle-nose pliers will be sufficient too.

• Once removed, you can begin to inspect the fuse.
• Still gripping it with the puller, hold the fuse up to the light (or a light source) and look through the translucent bodywork.
• You should see a thin metal wire in there.
• If the wire is no longer a continuous thread and appears broken or in two pieces, the fuse has indeed blown.

If this is the case, it will need to be replaced. From here you can go on to replace the fuse; however, as weve said, it really is best left to the professionals.