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        General >> Problems >> Fuse 13 (Ignition lock) blowing
        
(Message started by: Rowland on Feb 15^th, 2006, 12:25pm)

Title: Fuse 13 (Ignition lock) blowing
Post by Rowland on Feb 15^th, 2006, 12:25pm

Extensive and mega expensive work has been done to this Scorpio, including wiring loom replacement and new fuse box.
Now FUSE 13 (20amp) keeps blowing intermittantly but often enough to destroy all confidence in using the car. It has done more than 500miles and as little as 50 miles before the fuse going, leaving it stranded like a beached whale in the middle of the road.
www.fordscorpio.co.uk/fuseboxes.htm shows this fuse as serving 'Ignition lock' but can anyone please help with more detail or clues as to where to look for this fault?

Bob Green

Title: Re: Fuse 13 (Ignition lock) blowing
Post by Thunderchild on Feb 15^th, 2006, 7:29pm

OK... this is likely to be a difficult one to find. Firstly what model do you have as the wiring changes across the range? I would start by checking out the wiring which goes up to the ignition switch and look for any evidence of insulation breaking down.

Does the problem occur when something specific is happening? i.e. when braking, turning the steering wheel, accelerating etc. Might make it easier to pin down.

HTH

Thunderchild

Title: Re: Fuse 13 (Ignition lock) blowing
Post by Rowland on Feb 16^th, 2006, 3:52pm

Thanks for bothering Thunderchild.
It is a 2.3 Auto Ultima. I believe it is a '96 but it is on a cherished plate and I will have to check the paperwork tonight.
The annoying thing is that once having blown the fuse the fault disappears and when a new fuse is put in it is as right as rain again for a while.

Title: Re: Fuse 13 (Ignition lock) blowing
Post by Dave on Feb 16^th, 2006, 4:15pm

Just a thought - are the contacts in the fuse box clean? I know its new but worth a look maybe :-/

Title: Re: Fuse 13 (Ignition lock) blowing
Post by Highlander on Feb 16^th, 2006, 7:23pm

on 02/16/06 at 15:52:05, Rowland wrote:

and when a new fuse is put in it is as right as rain again for a while.

As its not blowing straight away Is 20 Amp the correct rating for that fuse for your model?
Sounds like its just getting a little too much for the 20 Amp fuse maybe supposed to be a 25 or a 30 Amp??

Title: Re: Fuse 13 (Ignition lock) blowing
Post by Rowland on Feb 16^th, 2006, 8:44pm

Thanks for the reply Dave. I will check the contacts at the weekend

Title: Re: Fuse 13 (Ignition lock) blowing
Post by Rowland on Feb 16^th, 2006, 8:47pm

Highlander. Thanks for the suggestion but my "owners manual" says that Fuse No 13 should be 20 amp.

Title: Re: Fuse 13 (Ignition lock) blowing
Post by Simmo on Feb 16^th, 2006, 9:13pm

Has the car had an 'aftermarket alarm' fitted or anything beyond the standard equipment that might be wired in to this circuit and thus overload it when it is used.

Title: Re: Fuse 13 (Ignition lock) blowing
Post by Rowland on Feb 16^th, 2006, 9:27pm

The more I read on this web site the more convinced I am that my problem is wet/damp.
I welcome any more suggestions and will investigating "Drain Holes" this weekend.

The last time the fuse blew was last Monday after my wife had driven approximately 200yds. The car had not been used since the previous Thursday but I washed it on Friday and it stood on the driveway until Monday, it had rained all day Saturday and Sunday.
The car had travelled approximately 1000 miles since the previous fuse had blown including a 480 mile round trip to Leeds but the weather had been particularly dry and as a norm the car is parked in a car port.

This car was purchased by me when it was 18 months old and had approximately 19000 miles on the clock. It served me well until last June when it went for a service and my garage told me the headcasket had blown. From that diagnoses it has had a new head, new block, new engine wiring harness and new fuse box. Cost approx £3000.

The only other odd thing I can think of at this time is the fact that when I went away at new year on return the car battery was completely flat. When I connected a battery charger the front lights came on and a relay in the main (drivers side) fuse box buzzed. I disconnected the negative battery cable to recharged the battery and since then I have not had any more problems regarding lights or battery.

I will try to remember details of other problems I have encountered during this very vexing 9 months.

Have a good weekend.

Title: Re: Fuse 13 (Ignition lock) blowing
Post by Thunderchild on Feb 16^th, 2006, 10:09pm

Everything you have described points to the fusebox having the dampness problem that we all know about. Yes check the drain holes and make sure that the battery cover has the retaining nut on top... if it's missing it may be allowing water into the fusebox area.

HTH

Thunderchild

Title: Re: Fuse 13 (Ignition lock) blowing
Post by Simmo on Feb 17^th, 2006, 5:45am

This link may help re battery drain holes. http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/battery.htm. The fuse box on the battery side contains a relay for the ignition lock could this be the problem. The lids to the fuseboxes need to be correctly fitted as sometimes thare are not actually properly located thus allowing damp in.

Title: Re: Fuse 13 (Ignition lock) blowing
Post by Simmo on Feb 17^th, 2006, 6:09am

Rowland, received your PM. Suggest you put that info on the site as there may be a clue there for one of our electrical geniuses.