Circuit breakers
Fuses are used to break the circuit when the current reaches a certain value, in order to protect elements and wires that can be damaged by too much current. A sudden increase in current is usually caused by a fault in the circuit, most often a short circuit (see subsection 14.2).
Most of the fuses are located in the fuse box on the left side of the instrument panel, additional fuses are located in the fuse and relay box on the right side of the engine compartment.
On later models, one or three additional high power fuses can be installed in the engine compartment, near the battery. On models that have one fuse near the battery, it protects the electrical circuits of the anti-lock brake system. If three fuses are installed, the two fuses closer to the battery protect the charging system circuit, and the third fuse farther from the battery protects the anti-lock brake circuits.
To gain access to the fuse box on the instrument panel, open the cover.
To access the fuses located in the fuse box in the engine compartment, simply remove the cover.
The designations of the circuits protected by fuses are indicated on the cover of the fuse box.
Turn off the relevant circuit before removing a fuse (or ignition), then remove the fuse from the contacts. A wire should be visible inside the fuse; if the fuse is blown, the wire will be broken or melted.
Always use fuses of the required capacity. Never use a fuse of a different rating or replace it with something else. Do not replace the fuse more than once without correcting the source of the problem. The power of the fuse is indicated on the top of the fuse; Please note that the fuses are in different colors for easy identification.
If a fuse blows immediately after replacement, do not replace it again until the cause of the problem has been identified and corrected. In most cases, the fault is caused by a short circuit caused by poor insulation. If the fuse is protecting multiple circuits, try to find the circuit that is causing the fuse to blow, including each circuit in turn (if it is possible). Always have a set of spare fuses of different ratings in your vehicle. They must be fixed at the base of the fuse box.
Relay
A relay is an electronic switch that is used for several reasons.
The relay can switch high voltage current without being in the circuit that carries that current, and this allows the use of thinner wires and contacts.
A relay can have more than one control source, unlike a mechanical switch.
The relay may have a timer function, such as a relay used for intermittent windshield wipers.
Most of the relays are located in the fuse box in the engine compartment or behind the lower instrument panel trim panel on the passenger side. Depending on the type of engine, year of manufacture and equipment installed, additional individual relays can be installed in the engine compartment and in various other places on the vehicle.
1. If the circuit or system controlled by the relay fails and you suspect that the relay is to blame, turn on the system.
2. If the relay is working, you should hear a click when power is applied to it, in this case, some other element of the system or connecting wires is the source of the malfunction.
3. If the relay does not actuate, then either the relay is not receiving power or switching voltage, or the relay itself is defective.
4. Checking the relay is carried out by replacing it with a working relay. Be careful though, because while some relays look and function the same, there are relays that look similar but function differently.
Warning! Before removing the relay, first check that the ignition is off. Then the relay can simply be removed from the socket and a new one inserted in its place.
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