Topic: Cheap fuse warning!!!
in Forum: C4 Electrical
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2247
Vette(s): 1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine.
1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.
I recently found out about a TSB(technical service bulletin) from GM concerning the use of certain fuses....It ain't good news! 
Seems these fuses(the blade/spade type...not the glass ones) are not "popping" when they should...and when that happens all of the smoke comes out of the wires.
The TSB is # TSB 07-08-45-002
It states that they tested some of these fuses. The 15amp fuse wouldn't pop even when directly shorted across the battery terminals!
I have a copy of the bulletin that I can send out, if anyone is interested.
The fuses in this particular instance came from Harbor Freight & Tool.
What brought it to my attention was someone from one of my Trans Tech forums. He had a car that had no reverse lights. He found a bad fuse, and replaced it. When they started the car, and put it into reverse to check the lights, all of the smoke came out of the wires under the dash!
Anyway...just wanted to pass this along, and warn ya'll about buying the cheapest fuses you can find...in this case, it just ain't worth saving a few pennies.
Seems these fuses(the blade/spade type...not the glass ones) are not "popping" when they should...and when that happens all of the smoke comes out of the wires.
The TSB is # TSB 07-08-45-002
It states that they tested some of these fuses. The 15amp fuse wouldn't pop even when directly shorted across the battery terminals!
I have a copy of the bulletin that I can send out, if anyone is interested.
The fuses in this particular instance came from Harbor Freight & Tool.
What brought it to my attention was someone from one of my Trans Tech forums. He had a car that had no reverse lights. He found a bad fuse, and replaced it. When they started the car, and put it into reverse to check the lights, all of the smoke came out of the wires under the dash!
Anyway...just wanted to pass this along, and warn ya'll about buying the cheapest fuses you can find...in this case, it just ain't worth saving a few pennies.
Joel Adams 
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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Great catch Joel 
Ran across the exact same thing helping a friend with a shorting problem on his Nova....and he had a whole pack of fuses from Harbor also. Tried about 6 of them , all passing too many amps, just figured a bad batch. Threw them out and went to local NAPA store.
Sounds like a major problem with quality control, but Harbor has always been the "Dollar Store" of automotive supplies (hope I don't get sued for libel by dollar store 
).
). Are there any problems with the stock fuses? Mine are all original, but if there is a problem, I will switch them out pronto... I doubt the stock ones are duds because I never had any problems...
Happy Holidays!!!!
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Vette(s): 1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine.
1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.
The TSB recommends that the dealerships ONLY use GM sourced fuses, which of course, they would, as it puts more money in GM's pockets. As long as the fuses are marked with an amp rating in white, you're prolly good to go. The ones in question have NO markings at all, other than a plane, embossed amp rating on the top. Normal fuses will have the embossed rating colored in white, so it's easier to see. They(the good fuses) sometimes will also have an identifying manufacturer's mark.
hth.
btw...Harbor Freight is NOT the only place these fuses are sold...that's just where the ones that wre tested came from. The same fuses are also sold at other places...prolly Dollar store, and such, but you might also find them in a real parts house, ya never know.
Adams' Apple 2009-12-23 11:43:38
hth.
btw...Harbor Freight is NOT the only place these fuses are sold...that's just where the ones that wre tested came from. The same fuses are also sold at other places...prolly Dollar store, and such, but you might also find them in a real parts house, ya never know.
Joel Adams
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Makes me wonder about the OEM fuses that didn't blow when I lost the fuel pump. I've been switching to the indicating fuses that have a little light when they blow, but I haven't really tested them. Might be interesting to try a couple in series with a regular and see which goes first.
I went junkyarding yesterday and raided the fuse box on a couple baby whale Caprices and a similar vintage FWD deVille.
I found fuses branded PACIFIC in the cars but by and large, the bulk of what I found was either Buss brand or Littelfuse brand. The brands are embossed into the top of the fuse on the surface along with the amp rating.
Probably cuz the FP malfunction caused the motor winding to crate an "open" condition which would not blow a fuse.
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80 4Speed
96 LT4
If you're never out of control you're not driving fast enough
Agreed. When ever we have a car (any make) going to the scrap yard sometimes I yank all the factory fuses just because of this reason.
ASE Master Certified, L1 Certified, Owner/Tech
Track Day Rat
80 4Speed
96 LT4
If you're never out of control you're not driving fast enough
in Forum: C4 Electrical
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