What fuse can I use

Tiny
FRENCHYMP
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
I am looking for a fuse that I can plug into that when ignition is turn off there is no power to. I am trying to connect a dash cam that I do not have to unplug when the engine is turned off. Thank you for your time.
Friday, August 11th, 2017 AT 4:40 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,737 POSTS
GM used to be famous for including individual terminals in their fuse boxes for things like this. They were labeled "IGN" for a terminal that had twelve volts when the ignition switch was turned on, and "BAT" for a terminal that had twelve volts all the time. If you do not see that, the best way to find the right fuse is to measure the voltage on them. Spade-type fuses have two test points on top for taking those readings. You can use a test light or a voltmeter. Look for one that goes to 0 volts when the ignition switch is off.

Be aware some people strip the wire, twist it around one terminal on the fuse, then install the fuse that way. I do not like that because it is too easy for the strands to poke out and short to something else. Even worse, there are terminals that are meant to slide into the fuse box terminal, then you insert the fuse next to it. Those are bad news because the added thickness can stretch the terminal in the fuse box. When that add-on terminal is removed, a loose terminal is left behind that often causes an intermittent connection.

My preference is to use a special insert with a pig tail wire. You plug in the adapter like you would a fuse. The fuse gets plugged into the adapter. You hook your camera's power wire to the wire on the adapter. Those adapters cost very little compared to the grief and frustration of dealing with an intermittent connection.
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Saturday, August 12th, 2017 AT 8:54 PM
Tiny
FRENCHYMP
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
That I have the adapter and I am just looking in the side fuse panel but nothing is indicated. Will have to try the volt tester idea. Thanks.
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Saturday, August 12th, 2017 AT 8:59 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,737 POSTS
I did not want to list a specific fuse because there are so many in cars today and a lot of them are not used in various applications. Also, some fuses go into three-terminal sockets. You plug it into one pair if you want that circuit to be live all the time, and you can move it to the other terminal if you want it to be on with just the ignition switch. My truck has that option for the power and lighter sockets and the power inverter.

After you find the fuse you want to use, pull it out, turn the ignition switch on, then check for voltage on the two terminals in the socket. Only one will have twelve volts. Install your adapter so the wire connects to the other terminal. That way the fuse will be protecting your camera's power wire in case it gets pinched or grounded and shorts out.
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Saturday, August 12th, 2017 AT 10:59 PM

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