Burnt fuse box - repair or replacement

Graham · 01-20-2008

As luck would have it when I was taking the GT out for a test drive with a prospective new buyer, smoke came up from the dash and there was a small fire in the fuse box - I cut the power and put out the fire with minimal damage but now it needs to be repaired. Should I buy a new fuse box or does anyone have a used one. I've attached a pic of the damaged fuse box.

Any suggestions? Thanks Graham

GTJIM · 01-20-2008

Unfortunately that fuse block is toast - the carbonised area will never insulate again.
They are often on EBay - Mickeynwheels usually has one for sale, even if not listed. You can also try the 'Usual Suspects': OGTS, USAOpel & Opel Workz

HTH

BTW: Are you sure your car is not telling you something? - like: "I don't wanna leave home!"

guyopel · 01-20-2008

Replace with a used fuse box ( your selling the car ) if your were keeping it now would be the time to upgrade the fuse box to the new style fuses and wiring . HTH
John

Nathan Acree · 01-20-2008

Ive got a whole wiring harness and fuse box with relays and etc. from a '70 you can have for the cost of shipping if you are interested. It is in good shape- but even then thats not saying much (I'm not a fan of Opel electrics). It came from a daily driver- I pulled everything to replace it with a new fusebox and harness.

Anyway, I will be in Tennessee for the next week so I can't ship it out immediately. Would be glad to get it out of my garage and I've it goes to help keep another car on the road then so much the better.

-Nathan Acree
Albuquerque New Mexico

Graham · 01-20-2008

Gents,

I very much appreciate your input - any suggestions as to why there would have been a short to cause the fire? I guess I should find out what caused the short so I can fix it when I put it back together.

Many thanks Graham

Nathan Acree · 01-20-2008

Had to be something very high current and unfused. Check your alternator and your headlight wiring if it has not been replaced.

opelwasp · 01-20-2008

Corrosion causes a higher load and everything has to work harder to draw the necessary current, which generates heat. Best thing to do if you plan to keep the original style wiring is to drill out the rivets, clean everything with a Dremel tool, and solder them back together. Redrill the holes to clean them up and use brass or stainless steel rivets.

01-20-2008	#2 (permalink)
GTJIM Old Opeler Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Zealand Posts: 5,686 Provided Answers: 12	Toast ... Unfortunately that fuse block is toast - the carbonised area will never insulate again. They are often on EBay - Mickeynwheels usually has one for sale, even if not listed. You can also try the 'Usual Suspects': OGTS, USAOpel & Opel Workz HTH BTW: Are you sure your car is not telling you something? - like: "I don't wanna leave home!" __________________ GTJim Opel Owner since last Century! Copyright © 2000-2009 J D Henry All Rights Reserved Last edited by GTJIM; 01-20-2008 at 08:37 PM.

01-20-2008	#3 (permalink)
guyopel Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Duluth,Ga. Posts: 648 Real Name: John Provided Answers: 2	Replace with a used fuse box ( your selling the car ) if your were keeping it now would be the time to upgrade the fuse box to the new style fuses and wiring . HTH John __________________ Guyopel I have not failed - I've merely found 10,000 ways that won't work." ---Thomas Edison It's amazing what God lets man get away with when lightning is so cheap. Mark Twain

01-20-2008	#5 (permalink)
Graham Frustrated Opel Restorer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 108	Fire in fuse box Gents, I very much appreciate your input - any suggestions as to why there would have been a short to cause the fire? I guess I should find out what caused the short so I can fix it when I put it back together. Many thanks Graham __________________ Graham Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

01-20-2008	#7 (permalink)
opelwasp Non Civilian Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Between Chico and Sac, CA Posts: 1,596 Provided Answers: 1	Corrosion causes a higher load and everything has to work harder to draw the necessary current, which generates heat. Best thing to do if you plan to keep the original style wiring is to drill out the rivets, clean everything with a Dremel tool, and solder them back together. Redrill the holes to clean them up and use brass or stainless steel rivets. __________________ Arguing online is the same as racing in the Special Olympics; no matter who wins, you're both still retarded.

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01-20-2008	#4 (permalink)
Nathan Acree Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Albuquerque New Mexico Posts: 338	Ive got a whole wiring harness and fuse box with relays and etc. from a '70 you can have for the cost of shipping if you are interested. It is in good shape- but even then thats not saying much (I'm not a fan of Opel electrics). It came from a daily driver- I pulled everything to replace it with a new fusebox and harness. Anyway, I will be in Tennessee for the next week so I can't ship it out immediately. Would be glad to get it out of my garage and I've it goes to help keep another car on the road then so much the better. -Nathan Acree Albuquerque New Mexico

01-20-2008	#6 (permalink)
Nathan Acree Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Albuquerque New Mexico Posts: 338	Had to be something very high current and unfused. Check your alternator and your headlight wiring if it has not been replaced.

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