Fuse question
 

I have two questions regarding Fuses. I have used the search function of these forums and i was unable to find a solution.

Before you tell me to "RTFM" i know how and where to install the fuse. I do not however know where i can buy a fuse. The dealership replaced the last fuse and they charged be 30 bucks. This seems pretty high, and i also don't want to drive to the dealership to have it replaced.

Is there and online retailer that i can purchase some fuses from?

Can i replace the fuse with a fuse with a higher Amp rating? (this is the second time it has gone out. Most likely i am overloading it)

NEVER replace a fuse with a fuse of a higher amperage.

Fuses exist to prevent your wiring harness from catching fire. Not to protect your equipment. If you replace a fuse with a fuse of a higher amperage, you could set your car on fire. I am not even kidding about this.

Any automotive supply store will have fuses.

If you are overloading a circuit in your car, It would be advisable to run your own circuit using a proper gauge of wire and an appropriate fuse. Or better yet, have a reputable car audio shop install the circuit for you.

Just what is it you are trying to power that is blowing fuses anyways?

Fuses are put in vehicles for two reasons: Protect the car against shorts and protect the gear it powers from drawing too much current.

If you are blowing a factory fuse, and you do not have anything not stock on that circuit, you have a problem. You either have a short or a bad component.

If you have added components to a circuit, then you need to evaluate the increased demand and weigh that against the gauge of wire used to see if you can safely increase the fuse size.

What fuse is blowing?

OOPPSS I did not read the above post. Basically said the same thing.:)

Thank yall!
Very informative. It's the second cigarette lighter, i have a splitter with my phone charger and my iPod plugged into it.

^If you are talking about Fuse #3 in the driver's side kick panel....

That is a 20amp fuse. There is no way an iPod (drawing less than 1 amp to charge) and a modern digital cell phone charger (certainly less than 5 amps) should blow that fuse.

You have a problem. As said above, the purpose of that fuse is to protect the car's wiring (not your electronics - they should have their own fuses) - just putting in a larger fuse could cause major, expensive damage.

I'd start with the splitter - it may be shorting to ground & blowing the fuse. Then, I'd take out the accessory plug and check the connections.

For your reference, the fuses are available at any autoparts store. They are the 'blade type' fuses, in the 'mini' size. The proper reference is: MINI-ATM

good luck.

+1:)

Also, don't forget the second cigarette lighter outlet in the rear (under the center armrest) of the vehicle. It think this is also on the same circuit.