Fuse box connections . . .

[tekenaar]

By now, everyone probably knows about checking the fuse box for good, clean terminal connections, no matter what model Opel it is, right?!

Well, this morning while running a quick errand in my Kadett, I noticed that my turn signals no longer functioned and, quickly checking my gauges, I saw that my OP gauge wasn't reading anything either, like it was turned off. Wasn't too concerned about that as my OP idiot light remained "off."

From time to time, I'd had some annoying little electrical gremlins appear and, just as mysteriously, disappear before I could really investigate the problem. Things like a fluttering gauge when the headlights were on or multiple gauges reacting in step with the turn signals, but only when headlights were on.

I had already checked all my fuse box terminal connections and run another, separate "instrument" ground as discussed in several other threads, so I didn't pursue it any further, as they typically disappeared before I could do anything about them in any case.



The cause turned out to be that fuse #2 was blown, but that's really not the whole story! I took a very close look at this 40-year old fuse and saw that the "pointed nose" ends were very corroded! Hmmm, I think I just found the REAL source of my little electrical gremlins! Most of my other seven fuses also had evidently never been replaced and looked to be in the pretty much the same condition as the failed one, so I replaced them just to be sure.

So, let me suggest to everyone here that you also check this oft overlooked thing while you're there . . . the fuses themselves!! . . . it's best just to replace them.

[First opel 1981]

Good advice on replacing all the fuses but also, on these older cars, its good to use some electrical (conductive) grease on the ends of the fuses. I always thought it was standard procedure, when having electrical issues, to reach down and rotate each fuse in its holder. If that changed the electrical problem at all then you needed to replace the fuse.

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by First opel 1981 Good advice on replacing all the fuses but also, on these older cars, its good to use some electrical (conductive) grease on the ends of the fuses. I always thought it was standard procedure, when having electrical issues, to reach down and rotate each fuse in its holder. If that changed the electrical problem at all then you needed to replace the fuse.

. . . yeah, I'd done that right after I bought the car and put the fuse elements to face frontward to make it easy to see when they're blown. This time I paid more attention to the overall condition of the blown fuse's ends and then considered the ones that were still "good"!!

[oldopelguy]

One of my old VW owner's manuals actually recommended twisting the fuses back and forth periodically, like every oil change. Since they are the same fuses I always do the same in the Opels.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by oldopelguy One of my old VW owner's manuals actually recommended twisting the fuses back and forth periodically, like every oil change. Since they are the same fuses I always do the same in the Opels.

I've done that a few times. I've also twisted them and had the conductive strip on the lower amp fuses break. If I didn't have so many used (free) fuses I would convert to the glass style. Buss makes a glass type european fuse.

Harold

[First opel 1981]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr I've done that a few times. I've also twisted them and had the conductive strip on the lower amp fuses break. If I didn't have so many used (free) fuses I would convert to the glass style. Buss makes a glass type european fuse. Harold

I was lucky enough to find a whole bunch of the glass BUSS fuses in a wrecking yard. 7 boxes of fuses in all. They aren't easy to find in your regular parts store but they can be found.