Electrical Problem

TYLERBUYNOSKI

MEMBER
2000 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
165 MILES

Hello,
I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Earlier my aftermarket alarm started going off for no reason so I went out to turn it off. When I opened my car door I noticed the interior lights did not come on and when I put the key in the ignition the door open chime did not come on. I cranked up the car all the way and noticed the radio and my dash clock did not come on either. Recently I had been having problems with the a/c fuse melting completely because I believe the fuse box is shorting out. So I was wondering if when the alarm went off did it draw so much power that the fuse box just finally shorted completely out? I know it isn't a battery issue because the car will start and the headlights work and I just bought a new battery about 5 months ago.

4 Replies

CARADIODOC

EXPERT

Sounds like you're overlooking a different issue. Fuses had better blow, not melt from over-current, otherwise, what good are they? Look at the terminals in the fuse box to see if they are blackened or corroded. Either of those things will cause heat to build up when current is flowing through them. THAT is what can cause plastic things to melt. Of course that's if the correct size fuses are in place.

To repair melted fuse boxes and switch connectors, you have to cut the overheated terminals out and replace them individually, and replace usually about 4" of the wires that have become hardened. All of the splices and terminals should be soldered and sealed with heat-shrink tubing. Never rely on twisting wires together and covering them with electrical tape.