We tend to run right to the fuse box when we lose power to only a part of our home in the Sterling, VA, area. The fuse box is a prominent part of our home’s electrical system. Most people know to check it for electrical issues, but many don’t realize there is one in their cars and trucks!
Below, we will cover what a car fuse is and which electrical systems they play a part in.
WHAT IS A CAR FUSE?
Single-use and simple, a car fuse is a little component that helps protect our vehicles’ electrical wiring. They protect the electrical system from short-circuiting and producing an overcurrent by disconnecting the circuit. The fuses come in various sizes and shapes, and most modern fuses are known as blade-type.
Most fuses use a bit of wire that breaks or melts if the current passing through exceeds the amperage rating of the fuse. That is considered a bad or “blown fuse,” and it does that to protect the wiring and circuits. When the fuse has blown, there are signs.
WHERE ARE FUSES LOCATED IN A CAR?
Typically, there are two fuse boxes in modern vehicles. One under the hood and the other being near the dashboard or under the steering wheel. The fuse box under the hood protects the circuits that are crucial to the engine, like the battery, cooling fan, and accessories. The fuse box within the cabin manages interior components like the lights and power controls.
SIGNS OF A BLOWN CAR FUSE
Automotive fuses should last quite some time. At least as long as the electrical system is operating as it should.
Since the fuse is the piece that protects electrical components, one of the first symptoms of a blown fuse is a loss of power to accessories or the vehicle’s functions. These include the radio, power locks and windows, windshield wipers, and lights.
ELECTRICAL AND FUSE DIAGNOSIS AT CASEY’S AUTOMOTIVE IN STERLING, VIRGINIA
Contact Casey’s of Sterling, VA, if your radio or headlights have been acting wonky. Our team will diagnose the problem while providing your vehicle with a complimentary inspection that covers over 40 areas of the vehicle. Once our diagnosis and inspection have been completed, we will send you a digital report. The report includes detailed descriptions, images, and even video!
