Starter/Fuse Box Help

[MattJakobs]

Was in the process of trying to clean out some of my engine bay just to make it look prettier and get some salt/sand out of there when I heard a frying like sound coming from my fuse box. Popped the cover and then saw a hole in the smaller "Starter" cover. Popped that and saw this crispy mess under it. Wondering what to do. Engine won't start, interior lights wont turn on, dash lights do however turn on. Is this a simple waiting game or do I need to think about replacing my fuse box?

 

[MattJakobs]

Just put in a new starter relay and still nothing...

 

[LittleCaesar]

How does the 120A fuse look there? Check ALL fuses for continuity.

Unless the engine is an absolute mess (think 1Engineer's son's Subaru), don't wash it except by hand. I have seen an engine seize on more than one occasion when someone wants to make it look pretty with a garden hose. It is an engine after all.....

 

[amalik]

How does the 120A fuse look there? Check ALL fuses for continuity.

Unless the engine is an absolute mess (think 1Engineer's son's Subaru), don't wash it except by hand. I have seen an engine seize on more than one occasion when someone wants to make it look pretty with a garden hose. It is an engine after all.....

Great advice here, LC. I never understood when the interwebs say to cover the alternator and 'electrical' components with a plastic bag and go to town on the engine bay with a pressure washer.

UMM, really?

How about brittle hoses or seals that are somewhat leaking, blasting water in them? Or electrical connections that aren't as exposed as an alternator because they have thicker wires, but still how is it a good idea to drown them in water? Or water that will accidentally get through the intake and in the engine?

If you google "wash engine bay" you will find dozens of articles online saying it's OK to do so.

Scary, really.

 

[MattJakobs]

How does the 120A fuse look there? Check ALL fuses for continuity.

Unless the engine is an absolute mess (think 1Engineer's son's Subaru), don't wash it except by hand. I have seen an engine seize on more than one occasion when someone wants to make it look pretty with a garden hose. It is an engine after all.....

It looks to be the 120A Alt fuse. Than you sir. Running up to get a new one now. Mine had tons and tons of sand and dried up salt water and did need the cleaning. I sprayed everything(except anything near the battery/fuse box) with a green product cleaner and scrubbed after that. I'm thinking I just wasn't careful enough. Will let you know after I replace this.

 

[MattJakobs]

How does the 120A fuse look there? Check ALL fuses for continuity.

Unless the engine is an absolute mess (think 1Engineer's son's Subaru), don't wash it except by hand. I have seen an engine seize on more than one occasion when someone wants to make it look pretty with a garden hose. It is an engine after all.....

As far as getting a new one in there, do you know if it's a simple pull and replace or is this a bigger problem?

 

[nissanh]

The 120 A fuse is for alternator, the 60 A fuse should be for the starter. Check all the bussmann fuses. Any 30A or 40 A Bussman fuses should pop out with gentle lift, but anything higher amperage should have two bolts on its terminals.

There should be an 8 or 10 mm bolts to the sides. To access that, you will have to lift the fuse box a bit or there may be a tab to lift the holder that holds the two high Amp fuses.
Don't buy Chinese bussmann fuses. Get these from the dealer. Should be less than $8 a piece.

 

[MattJakobs]

The 120 A fuse is for alternator, the 60 A fuse should be for the starter. Check all the bussmann fuses. Any 30A or 40 A Bussman fuses should pop out with gentle lift, but anything higher amperage should have two bolts on its terminals.

There should be an 8 or 10 mm bolts to the sides. To access that, you will have to lift the fuse box a bit or there may be a tab to lift the holder that holds the two high Amp fuses.
Don't buy Chinese bussmann fuses. Get these from the dealer. Should be less than $8 a piece.

Actually just got it all squared away Here. I did however use a Bussmann fuse, any reason I should stay away from it? The job wasn't hard, just a little more time consuming than I'd like since I hadn't done anything like it before. If the dealer ones are that much better, I wouldn't mind getting back in there and switching it out.