Melted fuse box, okay to run directly to battery?

1246 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Smileybug, Jun 25, 2014

beetlen8

Discussion Starter · Jun 25, 2014

Hey guys,

just joined this forum to help fix my gf's new to her beetle. The beetle has the common issue of the melting fuse box. I have a couple of questions.

The previous owner set it to run directly from the alternator to the battery. Is that okay?

I sourced a oem fuse box and plan on installing it this weekend, can I just leave the alternator running directly to the battery?

Is it recommended that I purchase a new harness? and from who?? dealer - $63? innovative? etc.

the fuses in the fuse box, they look to be metal. can i replace it with the common fuses or does it have to be that same kind?

car: 2002 Beetle GLS - no AC

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esse10

· #2 · Jun 25, 2014

which

which fuse melted? The alternator wire? I wouldn't unless it's temporarily like..ie one day or just to drive to the repair shop. You need to find the root of the problem also. Your alternator's regulator could be bad and putting out too much voltage or the battery is shorting out and going bad and it's pulling too much current making that harness wire too hot and melts. with the car at Idle put a digital volt meter on the battery posts and you should read between 13-14.5 volts DC.

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beetlen8

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 25, 2014

esse10 said:
which fuse melted? The alternator wire? I wouldn't unless it's temporarily like..ie one day or just to drive to the repair shop. You need to find the root of the problem also. Your alternator's regulator could be bad and putting out too much voltage or the battery is shorting out and going bad and it's pulling too much current making that harness wire too hot and melts. with the car at Idle put a digital volt meter on the battery posts and you should read between 13-14.5 volts DC.

oh, well she has been using the car for about 2 weeks now with that setup and who knows how long the car was like that with the previous owner. i will check the battery voltage tonight.

i'm just afraid that when i reconnect everything and it does burn up again that my gf will be stranded.

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Smileybug

· #4 · Jun 25, 2014

I agree with esse. This is only a temporary solution. You need to find the problem that is causing the melting. Often, replacing the cable from the fuse box to the alternator will solve it, if its the alternator fuse that keeps melting. Fixing the root cause will keep it from melting. You really should have it all hooked up properly, as that will be the safest in the long run.

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