[Shop-talk] Finding a Blown Fuse (Automotive)

[Eric Russell]

Correction - the hidden in plain view fuse was labeled F31. That
designation was never mentioned in any of my emails with Thor or their
schematics. I do not know if this part was installed by Thor or some
aftermarket modification.

EjR


On Thu, Nov 11, 2021 at 5:51 PM Eric Russell <ejrussell61 at gmail.com> wrote:

> So, the blown fuse turned out to be an I-D-10-T issue. When I crawled up
> under the hood of the new (to us) motorhome to change the oil (they do not
> make this an easy task...) I noticed a box way over on the left side
> labeled "Battery Control Center (Fuses Inside)". And buried therein was
> fuse # F17 'Cargo Lights'. Which indeed was blown. Maybe Thor (the
> motorhome manufacturer) was trying to tell me to check there - but I
> clearly described the place I had checked was the Ford "Power Distribution
> Box".
>
> EjR
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 11, 2021 at 8:57 AM Eric Russell <ejrussell61 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Thanks for the replies. It may be a week or more before I gather the
>> energy to search for the fault again. I've already wasted two afternoons
>> and have other more important things to do (getting ready to go racing in
>> VRG's Turkey Bowl at Summit Point, WV). The idea of using a tone generating
>> tool is interesting. Horrible Fright has a $25 version - I may give that a
>> try.
>>
>> EjR
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Nov 11, 2021 at 8:12 AM John <jbach at swiftrecruiters.com> wrote:
>>
>>> How about a GFCI outlet that has tripped?
>>>
>>>
>>> On 11/10/2021 7:15 PM, Eric Russell wrote:
>>>
>>> Oh wise & beneficent Shop Talkers - I've run into a situation that has
>>> me stymied. I need help locating a blown fuse in a motorhome.
>>>
>>> We recently bought a new (to us) motorhome. When installing the signal
>>> booster for a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) I accidentally shorted
>>> a 12V wire in the cargo bay lights. There was a small spark (followed by a
>>> few swear words). I then went on a hunt for the blown fuse. There are three
>>> fuse panels in this motorhome. Two in the Ford chassis (F-53) - one under
>>> the hood and the other inside near the parking brake - plus one in the
>>> motorhome's 120V - 12V power converter. I could not find a blown fuse
>>> anywhere.
>>>
>>> I contacted the manufacturer (Thor) who has actually been quite
>>> responsive & has tried to help. After asking for my vehicle's VIN they
>>> emailed me some schematics (not actual wire diagrams but more a map showing
>>> the general location of outlets, switches, etc with indications of which
>>> circuit they belong to). There are two schematics that appear to apply to
>>> my motorhome - one indicates the cargo lights are connected to the Ford
>>> panel by the parking brake, another indicates they are in circuit #6 of the
>>> converter's 12V panel. Neither of those fuses are blown. While there I
>>> checked all the fuses I could locate - none were blown. I've also signed up
>>> to a couple of motorhome forums but have not been able to find an answer
>>> there.
>>>
>>> Finally - my plea for help - is there any device one can use to trace
>>> where a circuit originates? I've seen an electrician use a device to find
>>> out what outlet goes to which breaker in our house.
>>>
>>> I've followed the hot wire from the cargo bay light back to where it
>>> enters a wire harness along the motorhome's frame rail. I'm loath to rip
>>> open the wire harness trying to chase the wire further upstream. As far as
>>> I can tell there is nothing else in this circuit - everything else is
>>> working properly. Of course I can live without cargo bay lights but it
>>> bothers my OCD to have it not working (when I know it did before my screw
>>> up).
>>>
>>> --
>>> Eric Russell
>>> Mebane, NC
>>>
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>>>
>>
>> --
>> Eric Russell
>> Mebane, NC
>>
>
>
> --
> Eric Russell
> Mebane, NC
>


-- 
Eric Russell
Mebane, NC
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