8–12 ELECTRICAL-BODY AND CHASSIS
FUSE
Fuses are the most common form of circuit protection
used in vehicle wiring. A fuse is a thin piece of wire or
strip of metal encased in a glass or plastic housing. It is
wired in series with the circuit it protects. When there is
an overload of current in a circuit, such as a short of a
ground, the wire or metal strip is designed to burn out
and interrupt the flow of current. This prevents a surge of
high current from reaching and damaging other
components in the circuit.
Determine the cause of the overloaded before replacing
the fuse.
Never replace a blown fuse with a fuse of a different
amperage specification.
Doing so can result in an electrical fire or other serious
circuit damage. A blown fuse is easily identified.
Normal
Blown
D08RV684
FUSIBLE LINK
The fusible link is primarily used to protect circuits where
high amounts of current flow and where is would not be
practical to use a fuse. For example, the starter circuit.
When a current overload occurs, the fusible link melts
open and interrupts the flow of current so as to prevent
the rest of the wiring harness from burning.
Determine the cause of the overload before replacing the
fusible link. The replacement fusible link must have the
same amperage specification as the original fusible link.
Never replace a blown fusible link with fusible link of a
different amperage specification. Doing so can result in
an electrical fire or other serious circuit damage.
A blown fusible link is easily identified.
Normal
Blown
Fusible Link Specifications
Type
Rating
Case Color
Maximum Circuit Current (A)
Connector
30A
Pink
15
Connector
40A
Green
20
Bolted
50A
Red
25
Bolted
60A
Yellow
30
Bolted
80A
Black
40