Re: fuse box upgrade

[Huw Powell <human@nh.ultranet.com>]

Buchholz, Steven wrote:
> 
> I've got an idea I've been kicking around on this one myself ... let me toss
> it out to see what folks think and if there is any BTDT.
> 
> >From my point of view the only real improvement afforded by the swap is that
> you will get the blade-style fuses, which means a better electrical
> connection on each and every fuse in the box. 

That is part of why I decided i might as well do it.  i was
contemplating getting glass fuses and cleaning all the panel contacts,
then the thought of grovelling on my knees to do it with my back twisted
just kinda got me thinking...

> The same type of relays and
> connectors seem to be used,

I wouldn't count on it.  The later fuel pump relay is pinned diferently,
and a couple of the relays (X in particular) seem to go to the larger
blades with the newer cars.  But you get those along with your new fuse
box, right?

> so unless Audi decided to derate the connector
> pins there isn't anything inherently more reliable about the underhood box
> as compared to the "Rabbit-style" (yes the ur-q has exactly the same P/N as
> my '78 Audi Fox or a VW Rabbit!) under dash unit.  From what I have found
> the underhood fusebox has a separate case to protect it from the elements
> and the fusebox itself is held in place by a couple of plastic clips.

>From tossing soem spares around, it occurs to me that the *stock*
fusebox could be placed in the underhood plastic box and cover.  It
wouldn;t be pretty but it would fit just fine.  Don;t know if the
harnesses will allow it to be moved up there though.  probably not.

> 
> I have a basic aversion to consideration of any modification that would
> provide yet another port by which the outside elements can find their way
> into the interior of my car, so what I was thinking was that if I were to do
> such a conversion I would mount the new fusebox in the same location as the
> original fusebox without hacking a hole in the body of the car.  Has anyone
> else attempted the switch in this way?

Yeah but... I am confident of being able to seal that hole well - my
underhood boxed cars never leaked there either - even one that had a
cracked cover!

>  I was also wondering if there was
> any compatibility of the connectors and pinouts between the old style and
> the new style.  

Connectors, no.  Pinouts, don;t look good.  Wire colors, *some* seem to
be the same... from my comparisons last night of the 85 schematic and my
82. 


>Finally, I wondered if the new style fuseboxes were
> universal as well ... it seems as though the one in my 4kSQ looks an awful
> lot like the one in the 5kCSQA.

I agree.  I'm gonna get a few printouts next door from the mitchell
CDrom of diferent years and models to compare them soon...

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.thebook.com/human-speakers

82 Audi Coupe; 85 Coupe GT
http://www.nh.ultranet.com/~human