Frank B Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 Ok, My mommy's car is having problems. It keeps blowing an unlabeled fuse, and the AT oil light will flash. It all started a few days ago when she had parked the car at a store, left it running with the AC on to comfort my Grandfather inside. After 15 minutes, the car dies. I go out there and find the blown fuse, replace it, and go on thinking maybe there was an overload on the charging system with the AC, and cooling fans on. A few days later, she is driving it, AT light blinks, car dies, fuse is blown. I read a post here about the Transfer Clutch Solonoid(?) or Duty Solonoid. Would this be that? I just replaced the tranny fluid and filter like 10,000 miles ago when she first got the car to help avoid problems. I may do it again with a synthetic. Here is the fuse, it should be a 30 amp, but 40 is all they had. Donate your $.02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank B Posted September 4, 2004 Author Share Posted September 4, 2004 Ok, I changed the fluid and filter today, and added some fluid suppliment. I drove it around, hard, and it didn't give me any problems. What gives? Anyone know what that fuse is for?? Without knowing, I'm flying blind here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avk Posted September 4, 2004 Share Posted September 4, 2004 The SBFs (slow blowing fuses) protect groups of circuits. You may need a wiring diagram to get to the bottom of this problem. The TCU trouble code was probably a result of power interruption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank B Posted October 2, 2004 Author Share Posted October 2, 2004 Ok, The car has blown the fuse once more, 202 miles after I posted before. I had gotten some wiring diagrams but they really didn't help me much. She took it to a local import mechanic, a subaru wiz, and the best import guy around here, and it has him baffled. He has had it foralmost two weeks, tested every component in the circuit(s), exposed every wire, check every inch of it, checked the connections, and has had it on diagnostic equipent more times than he'll admit, and nothing. The circuit only pulls 18 amps MAX, but something, somewhere is causing a spike and blowing the fuse. Without blindly replacing parts, we're at a stand still. As the mechanic put it, "this is one for the books". I'll keep you posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted October 2, 2004 Share Posted October 2, 2004 circuit from that fuse in turn. I would start with the most likely components on the circuit like, say the trunk light or tail light, and fuse them with a temporary fuse. First try the old wiggle everything and look for bare wires, and if that does not work drive the car with individual circuits fused. When one of the individual fuses blow you know it is either a shorted device or the wire to it. I usually look at any wire that bends, runs under something that may move, or has a device on it that takes a heavy load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank B Posted October 2, 2004 Author Share Posted October 2, 2004 With the exeption of fusing each individual component, the mechanic did all that you mentioned. She took it in hoping it would be an easy find or a common, known problem. If he can't get it to act up over the weekend, she's getting it back, and then it's my turn. I believe he said some of the main components are the fuel pump, purge canister, injectors, and Air idle control solonoid. I want to lean towards the air idle control solonoid, but he dismissed it. Time will tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avk Posted October 2, 2004 Share Posted October 2, 2004 Frank: Most branch circuits are protected by fuses which should blow before the SBFs. There are few exceptions such as the alternator field (excitation) windings and maybe the ABS motor. Did you find out what that SBF does? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank B Posted October 2, 2004 Author Share Posted October 2, 2004 Well, I'm only picking up bits and pieces from the mechanic, but the components I listed earlier are powered from the circuit the SBF protects. He did mention changing the alternator in a guess/hope that it would be the problem. If it doesn't act up by monday, and we get it back, I may try that. Frank: Most branch circuits are protected by fuses which should blow before the SBFs. There are few exceptions such as the alternator field (excitation) windings and maybe the ABS motor. Did you find out what that SBF does? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted October 3, 2004 Share Posted October 3, 2004 I don't think you should replace the alternator. If there was trouble with it you would see problems with other areas also and not just this one fuse. Since you had a warning light come on for the transmission I would suspect that area first. I would make a list of all the devices powered by this fuse. Most suspected parts I would think are any motors, solenoids or devices using wire coils. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank B Posted October 3, 2004 Author Share Posted October 3, 2004 Well, I am starting to think that the tranny oil light came on because the car had shut down in gear, while moving. There isn't anything on this circuit for the tranny. I'll know more tomorrow, I hope the man finds it, I have tooooo many thinge to fix right now! My hatchback needs attention, my motorcycle needs re-jetting, girlfriends Jeep needs a stereo install, her brother just gave her a 4 wheeler that doesn't run!, and my lowrider needs new shocks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted October 3, 2004 Share Posted October 3, 2004 Well I guess your morning is pretty well taken up. At least you should have the afternoon to relax a little, lol. Do you have a list of devices that this fuse delivers power to that you could show us? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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