Fuses and Relays — General Description (Opel Vectra A)

Fuses and fuses

1. Fuses are designed to break the circuit when a predetermined current is reached, protecting components and wiring that could be damaged by excessive electrical current.

2. The main fuses and relays are located on the lower right side of the panel, under the cover (see illustration).



3. The circuits protected by the various fuses and relays are marked on the inside of the cover.

4. If the fuse is blown, the wire will be broken or melted.

5. To remove a fuse, first turn off the circuit (or ignition), then remove the fuse from the clamps (see illustration).



6. When replacing, use a fuse with the same rating. Never replace a fuse more than once without identifying and eliminating the cause of the malfunction. The fuse rating is stamped on the top of the fuse.



7. Spare fuses are located in the unfilled clips in the fuse box.

8. The fuse number is marked on the fuse box, a list of circuits is given in the Specifications at the beginning of this Section.

Relay

9. Relay is an electrically operated switch which is used for the following reasons:

• a) The relay is used to switch a circuit in which a large current flows.
• b) Unlike a mechanical switch, one relay can be controlled by different input signals (for example, turn signal and hazard warning light relays).
• c) The relay may have a timer function - for example, a windshield wiper relay.

10. Most relays are located on the back of the main fuse box (to improve access, loosen the mounting screws and pull the fuse box forward). The rear wiper motor relay is located in the rear door, behind the rear door trim panel that opens upward.

11. On some models, additional relays are located in the relay box mounted on the left side of the engine compartment (see illustration).



12. If the circuit or system controlled by the relay is faulty, replace the relay; if the relay is functioning, then when the ignition is turned on, clicks should be heard. When replacing the relay, be careful, some relays are identical, but perform different functions.

13. Before removing the relay, first make sure that the corresponding circuit is switched off. The relay is simply pulled out of the socket and placed back in place.