How To Check For a Blown Fuse

In this video I show you how to check for a blown fuse on your automobile. I actually show you 3 different ways that you can do this. The first way, which is the simplest way, involves simply looking at the fuse. Of course, depending on what kind of fuse you are inspecting, the fuse will have to be removed in order to get a good visual on it. The second way, which in my opinion is the simplest way, is to check your fuses with a test light. This method involves checking a hot fuse on both sides for power. If both sides has power and lights up the test light then the fuse is good. If not, and it only lights up the test light on one side of the fuse, then it's blown. I also give an example of a 3 prong fuse, which is a 2 in one fuse. This type of fuse should have power on all 3 legs. If not the fuse is blown. The third way of checking a fuse involves using a digital volt ohm meter to check for continuity through the fuse. A good fuse should have little to no resistance through it. If resistance greater than a tenth of an ohm (and that's high) is found then the fuse should be replaced. Typically thought a fuse will either be open or have perfect continuity. It is very rare to have a fuse with high resistance.
DISCLAIMER
Barbour's Auto Help is not responsible for any damage or personal injury incurred in the process of performing any auto repairs done by you the viewer. Automotive repair is extremely dangerous. Repair your vehicle at your own risk. It is the viewers responsibility to verify all information and procedures as outlined in YOUR REPAIR MANUAL AND OWNERS MANUAL FOR YOUR VEHICLE. Owning and using a repair manual suited for your vehicle is essential for correctly and safely performing ANY repair to your vehicle. Always wear safety glasses and heed all instructions for use applicable to any piece of equipment you may use. Due to circumstances out of the control of Barbours Auto Help, Barbours Auto Help makes no guarantee that by the use of the information given in this video a quality repair will be made. Barbour'sAutoHelp makes no guarantee that the information provided is totally complete, syncronized and accurate. Verify everything using an appropriate repair manual. Follow the repair manual over this videos content. You can do it. Do it right and do it safely.
Repair your vehicle at your own risk! Barbour's auto help does not guaranty a proper repair using these techniques.

[@langnguyen6115]

11:38 pm, 4_22_2023 Saturday Thank you very much for this video, which is very detailed in helping others, like me, to perform a test on fuses. Gaining knowledge of car electrical function is significant. Please have a great day. Appreciated.

[@mike814031]

good advice!! you're the first one I've seen mention the important part where you have to make sure if the fuse is supposed to be hot all the time or not

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Thanks for noticing! And thanks for the pat on the back.

[@mobmob5944]

Or you can move the test light clip from the negative to the positive to check if the both sides have ground running them when its not “hot” . Only if you have the multiuse test light

[@mobmob5944]

If you attack the test light clip to the negative and that light turns on when you check a fuse it’s because the surface you are touching with the test light has 12volts . And if you change your test light clip to the + on your battery now you can test the ground continuity in your fuses or wires . The light will turn on in your test light because it now has ground (if you are touching it with your testlight)

[@adolfodavila5411]

Old school man keep it in ur mine saves bucks

[@HungryH1951]

Very helpful. Thank you for posting this video.

[@drgonzoish]

Great info to have! Thank you sir!

[@nickayivor8432]

Thanks for sharing it with us Great tutorial thank you very much helpful video From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Your welcome!

[@joshuarandolph3788]

Thank you. So simple

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

You bet!

[@roro-pg8gw]

thanks Keith , God bless

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Your welcome.

[@cashshawn]

I got like a little black spot in my 20 amp yellow fuse and the lighter not working. But that fuse don't look broken. Could that black spot is brown fuse too.

[@GamerNerdess]

I was wondering something I've been looking everywhere to find this answer. The cigarette fuse on my 2008 f250 super duty has a light purple colour on the top where it should be clear. It's a typical blue 20 amp fuse, but it's discoloured to that purple and looks kind of weird inside. It works though. Do you know why that would be purple and should I just simply replace it?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Ain't got a clue. Why did you check it?

[@winfield841]

This is an excellent informative video thank you so much for posting this

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

No problem

[@jeremywestwood3769]

Hi would it be possible for a fuse to jump off the fuse box?sounds crazy but when my 12v power outlet didnt work ive check the manual and no fuse sits on that spot where the fuse should be be.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Never seen a fuse jump out all by itself before. I highly doubt that's what happened.

[@jaywholoveseveryone1721]

On the last 2 fuses you didn't show me/us what those fuses look like when they are blown...damn! I don't have one of those fancy meter thingys

[@melissaCScom]

Thank you for the details!!

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

No problem!!

[@prometheusproject4217]

Thank you

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

You're welcome

[@LuisGomez-pg2qk]

Awesome 👍

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Thanks 🤗

[@JustAriel]

I'm thinking my 10A fuse is blown because I have a lot of things that are wrong with my vehicle that the 10A works for but mainly my dashboard my sunroof ignition switch has been acting wonky and my turn signal light I haven't checked the actual fuse yet I'm waiting till tomorrow but I'm guessing that's what the problem is I'm going to visually check it but it's good to know that there are two other tools that I could buy that would help me in the future I'm going to check all of my fuses and make sure they're all good I have a two fuse boxes I don't know if all vehicles do but I do one under the steering wheel and one in the hood of the car so it feels good to kind of know what's wrong with my vehicle

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Cool

[@burn1gotbeats]

helpful 😎😇

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Glad to hear that

[@snikt7424]

What if the fuses look good but won't work when installed I put a new one and that fixed the problem but the old fuse looked just as good as the new one

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

May have had a hair line break in it.

[@user-xp3co9te4m]

Which one is the power motor switch

[@user-xp3co9te4m]

Is there a switch for electric tric windows

[@tuffguy11505]

I have several fuses that don't work when being tested in the slots, however fuses aren't blown. I move those fuses to other locations and they do work, just not in the slots where they belong. When pulled out and inspected, the two silver prongs look burnt. What does this mean? I have a total of eight fuses that do not work and are burnt from pins but still function in other slots. Has anyone seen this before?

[@belladonna5121]

I have the same issue.I wish someone would have answered this

[@trebornirtus6514]

Look up scanner danner on you tube

[@henryaguilar879]

I have the same issue on a Honda civic sedan

[@zulmacervantes8348]

Did you ever figure out what was wrong

[@CraigMays]

Thanks for the video. Around 3:45 what are the white solid blocks? Are those also fuses?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

The white blocks at that mark are relays.

[@deanjagger1190]

Do you know if there is a fuse for the blind spot system on a 2014 Town and country van???

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I do not.

[@deanjagger1190]

Let me know if you hear of the location, please. @@BarboursAutoHelp

[@atomicjack5060]

If I replace the fuse and I see a spark does that mean I just burnt the new one? Also my shifter won't shift out of park when ignition is on and my windshield wipers and my interior cab lights won't turn on plz help

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Pull the fuse back out and check it.....

[@atomicjack5060]

@@BarboursAutoHelp ok I checked it and it isn't broken on the inside or burnt but it sparked again when I re inserted the fuse

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Not sure whats wrong. Sounds like a possibly a power feed issue or maybe even a ground issue. There's no shame in having a tech diagnose it.

[@atomicjack5060]

@@BarboursAutoHelp thanks for the advice!

[@PovertyKidENT]

My car cracks and cracks, just won't turn. Just got a new starter so ik it's not that, i changed the fuses so i don't think it's that. But usually to get the car to start i make sure the fuses are in correctly and it starts, But today that didnt work

[@johnz.2957]

​@UC9OxdnfrQXHneaRzKMB-Fhg Will people get an electric shock if the key is not in the ignition and the battery is still not disconnected? I'm confused with battery disconnection, is it to disconnect the battery under the front engine cover or just a wire behind the radio?

[@Vmac1394]

I'm not gonna lie, when I did this I just used the continuity tester to be just a little bit lazier by not having to look at the screen.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Cool

[@Lude-Life]

what kind of car is this

[@josewilliam6155]

I’m gonna guess the 40 black one is like that yellow one you had?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Huh....

[@adamholton9978]

So basically if the piece inside isn't connected anymore then it's blown??

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

yes

[@adamholton9978]

@@BarboursAutoHelp thanks I changed it and it fired right up

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

That’s awesome! What kind of vehicle do you have?

[@JuliaB1955]

I have an amber Bussmann fuse (40) from my solar array charge controller that has one black blade. Can I safely assume (60%?) that it's burned out (it's been running for 6 years)? I'm praying that this is all the charge controller needs, since I just blew a wad (no pun intended) on 8 new marine batteries for the system. Please, God, spare an old broad. ;) Thank you, Juli B.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Does it have contenuity?

[@JuliaB1955]

@@BarboursAutoHelp If by "continuity" you mean is the metal piece between the two blades attached, then yes, it is. However, the portion of the blade housed inside the amber covering is completely black on one of the blades.

[@JuliaB1955]

PS Sorry to be such a mechanical dolt.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Its like my boss told me concerning weather or not to eat old food...."when in doubt throw it out".

[@JuliaB1955]

@@BarboursAutoHelp Always good advice. Thank you!

[@dwightfowler7367]

Where is the fuse that replaces a blown fuse in a 2014 Dodge grand Caravan to open the trunk automatically?

[@khayanas1006]

My cars air conditioning fans just stopped working entirely, I suspect I blew a 30A fan fuse

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Check it out. Hope you find it.

[@MegaMissfitz]

Hope your fully recharged & havnt blown a fuse! Sweet dreams 😤😤😤

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Run that by me one more time.....

[@julie1630]

Ok bring your kit

[@PaulbylPaulbyl]

Is there a downside to simply replacing all fuses on a regular maintenance schedule, say every 5 years?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Yes, I don't think fuses go bad like engine oil or transmission fluid, etc. Usually if a fuse blows it is because of excessive current draw. I think it would be a waste of time and money.

[@HG-ol1tq]

My husband made me drive through flood waters and now my electric is out in my car 😭😭😭

[@jennifertemple710]

Didnt show a bad 50 amp versus a good one👎

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Same concept for all amperage fuses similar to the ones shown in video

[@KICKINGSTACUE10]

Thank you

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

You're welcome