Fuseable Link

[Jeff Rand]

Had the 20amp link go out on the wire to the ECM. Can I replace it with a fuse holder and a 20a fuse? If it needs to be replaced with another link, where is the best place to purchase one?
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[arista5]

i replaced a different fusable link, but picked it up in the *Help* Section of local chain parts store

 

[salvageV6]

If you are talking about the orange wire to the ECM it's only 16 gauge and I don't think the fusible link is 20 amperes as that's a lot of current.

 

[T-top87GN]

Just head to NAPA, get the new link, and break out the soldering gun. It'll take you MAYBE an hour.

 

[Jeff Rand]

Thanks for the replies. The link that was on the wire had a 20 stamped on it so I assumed it was 20 amp. I will check with Napa to find a replacement.
Thanks Again,
Jeff

 

[tom h]

Fusible links are generally 4 wire sizes smaller than the downstream wiring being protected.

So, if the orange wire is AWG 16, the correct fusible link size is AWG 20 (or, 0.5 sq mm equivalent cross section).

Page 8A-21-0 of the Regal service manual confirms this .

It's hard to read, but also printed onto my fusible link's wire insulation is "0.5 SQ MM" , more confirmation.

The "20" you saw stamped on the link was possibly the AWG size, not the amperage.

IMO, go by the wire size for selecting the correct replacement link.

 

[turbo]

Originally posted by Jeff Rand
Had the 20amp link go out on the wire to the ECM. Can I replace it with a fuse holder and a 20a fuse?

What if you were somewhere and couldn't get a fuseable link and only a fuse holder and fuse were available?

What would you use in Jeff's particular case....a 5 amp fuse?

TIA

 

[tom h]

Fusible links are an essential safety feature and are intended to protect downstream wiring from melting or catching something else on fire. A fuse can be replaced with the WRONG rating, a fusible links prevents this (provided of course, the right link is installed in the first place).

Additonally, links are more reliable. A fuse can get a nuisance "blow", links cannot. A nuisance blown fuse to the ECM, shuts the car down immediately. It takes a REAL current overload to blow a fusible link. When a link blows, it's adviseable to figure out what went wrong in the car's electrical to cause the blown link!

If a link is in a circuit now, replace it with a correct size link, don't substitute a fuse, IMO.

 

[turbo]

Re: Re: Fuseable Link

Originally posted by turbo
What if you were somewhere and couldn't get a fuseable link and only a fuse holder and fuse were available?

What would you use in Jeff's particular case....a 5 amp fuse?

TIA

I meant in an emergency!

 

[salvageV6]

In an emergency I would pop in some tinfoil.

I think the circuit would be 5-10 amperes.

ECM gurus should know for sure.