STILL blowing fuses

[Brett Dikeman]

At 9:51 PM -0400 5/16/02, Kent McLean wrote:
>Steve Arbaugh wrote:
>>I'm really hoping for some help here.. my '86 5ktqw is still blowing fuse
>>15. From what I can tell, it takes out my wipers front and rear, turn
>>signals, and low-speed rad fan.
>
>Is the radiator fan working before the fuse blows?
>
>If the radiator fan is frozen, when the engine gets hot and
>tries to turn the fan on, the fan can't spin and overloads the
>circuit.

Hmm...well, if it's the true low speed, then that only comes on with
A/C, right? Steve, is the climate control set to AUTO?


>  On the "newer" 200s, there is a big (70 amp?) in-line
>fuse to protect the wiring. I don't think the 5000 had them;
>they would fry the wiring.

Nope, the 5000's don't have the fusible link.  It is debatable how
worthwhile it really is, however.  You rarely hear of a seized fan,
but about 1-2 people per spring on the 200q20v list have this fuse
break from corrosion(usually because the cover breaks off) and then
cause a boil-over when temps get warm enough that the car can't keep
cool enough without the fan.

   Given the seriousness of that fuse, Audi should have implemented a
supervisory circuit.  Actually, there's a darn fine idea, if I do say
so myself...the level switch for the coolant tank is conveniently
inches from right there, and I bet you could make a little relay that
went in parallel with the fuse, and closed that circuit it if the
fuse blew or corroded.  Sweet!

Anybody interested in such a widget?  I'd be happy to try and whip
something up.  Obviously applies only to those who have said fuse
setup on their car...

Brett
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