Date:         Sun, 8 Jul 2007 18:50:05 -0500
Reply-To:     Matt Roberds <mattroberds@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Roberds <mattroberds@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: power window fuse location?
Comments: cc: Tom Myers <motmyers@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20070706202659.UANS1354.eastrmmtai103.cox.net@eastrmimpi04.cox.net>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

> From:    Tom Myers <motmyers@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Date:    Fri, 6 Jul 2007 13:08:52 -0400
>
> I cannot pin down the location of the power window fuse [ 1990 westy]
> The owners manual says it is above the fuse box [ among the relays]
> All I can spot is a 20 amp fuse , a 10 amp fuse and a silver fuse
> looking thing.  [ all look fine ]  and my bently is nowhere to be
> found...

I don't know about Westys, but many US cars use a circuit breaker instead
of a fuse for the power windows.  Usually they are self-resetting; once
the overload goes away (or maybe after you turn the ignition off and wait
a few minutes for the breaker to cool) it will reset; there isn't a reset
button.  Often they are designed to plug into the same hole as a blade-
type fuse, and resemble a silver box about 3/8" x 1" x 3/4" (10 mm x
25 mm x 20 mm) or so, like
http://www.bussmann.com/images/4da20053-8783-452b-b1f4-6daf37982300.JPG
.  The FLAPS sells color-coded replacements in various ratings:
http://www.bussmann.com/images/5b25f212-c454-4ec4-9737-dc73c84554a8.JPG

Having said all that, the circuit breaker could be doing its job...
protecting the wiring from a short somewhere.  One way to tell if you've
got a dead short is to replace the breaker with a fuse of the same
rating and turn on the ignition while watching the fuse.  If the fuse
blows right away, then you've got a dead short and need to investigate
further.  If the fuse doesn't blow, try operating the window.  If the
window works OK, perhaps the breaker is just getting old, which happens -
replace the fuse with a new breaker and see what happens.  If the fuse
blows when you try to operate the window, you could have a short, or
maybe the motor is just getting old and drawing a little too much
current.  Either way, at this point it's probably worth buying a new
breaker and re-testing; if the new breaker pops too, then more work is
needed; if the new breaker is fine, then you're good to go.

DO NOT INSTALL A BREAKER OR FUSE WITH A HIGHER RATING THAN THE ORIGINAL
BREAKER.  This is a quick way to melt wiring and start a fire.

Matt Roberds