The instances in which the starter fuse blows up are caused by poor wiring, or it could be an issue with the fuse box. When the starter fails, it may result from power surges sent to the fuse and constantly blowing it.
Faulty starters and starter solenoids are common causes of the blow-up, which could indicate an issue with the battery and fuses. The starter fuse usually acts as a circuit completer or breaker and thus increases current to help ignition a car.
When the fuse keeps blowing up, the ignition process does not complete, thus leading to the blow-up. The magnitude of excess current passing through causes the starter fuse to blow up, especially with continuous use.
Replacements are often recommended in this case to solve the issue and do away with a faulty fuse. However, if the fuse keeps blowing, other underlying issues with the battery supply or faulty solenoids require a different resolution.
Contents
Causes why the starter fuse keeps blowing.
- Battery issues. When your battery dies, it will draw more current than the fuse can handle. Thus the fuse will constantly keep blowing.
- Damaged starter solenoid. The presence of a short solenoid relay means that when a high current is drawn from the battery, the fuse will blow to protect the wiring.
- Faulty ignition switch. When the ignition switch is faulty due to shorting, the current will be in excess, which causes the fuse to blow.
- Faulty starter. Despite checking for problems in your battery, the starter can be another aspect you need to check. Wires leading to your starter may sometimes get corroded and thus draw too much current, leading to a blown fuse.
- Wiring problems. Poor wiring causes a risk of the possibility of a fuse blowing up. Common effects are usually a result of a short circuit which causes the starter fuse to keep blowing.
What happens when the starter fuse blows?
The typical effect felt is that the car won’t start since there is no current to power the ignition process. Regardless of the number of times you try, the car will not start.
The starter relay only makes a clicking sound, but the engine will not rotate. This means that the starter motor does not receive enough current from the relay. The rapid clicks from the starter tell you that the current is not enough to turn the engine.
Another effect that may be witnessed is the starter relay staying on after the engine starts. In the event of a faulty starter, the current transfer continues even after the ignition process, which means a steady flow of current could damage the whole starter system.
This happens especially when the relay is touching or is exposed to high electrical power.
Another effect can be the number of times you turn the ignition key to start a car. This shows evidence of a bad starter relay caused by heat exposure, corrosion, or debris. These reduce the flow of the electrical current in the circuit, thus failing.
How to fix a starter fuse that keeps blowing
Before doing any repairs and replacements in your car, you must be sure of the steps you take and your knowledge of the issues highlighted.
Alternatively, a reliable service center visit may be recommended for a thorough check on the problems given. Whether it is faulty wiring or battery issues, you must have the correct steps to solve the problem and start your car. Some of the solutions include:
- You can replace the battery ground wire or replace it entirely if it is dead. A new battery should cost around $50 to $250, and you can replace it without paying a mechanic.
- In the case of a damaged starter solenoid, you will have to replace it if it is damaged. Replacements will protect your starter fuse from blowing up often. The cost is approximately $150 to $800.
- Replacement of the ignition switch, which costs $60 to $400.
- For faulty starters, you can start by cleaning wires that are corroded, but if they are too corroded, you can opt to replace them. Starters efficiently cost from $100 to $400 minus the labor charges, or you could opt to replace them on your own.
- Finally, if you do not have a clear wiring diagram for your car or it’s hard for you to diagnose it, it is advisable to take up a mechanic who understands and can effectively fix them.
Final Thoughts
Having an idea of the various causes for your starter and a few solutions to it is essential to navigating the technical arts of your car. Some of the reasons can easily be fixed and thus rely on your knowledge of maintaining your car.
