A/C Fuse Melting? After retrofitting to R134a

[Volkswageneer1990]

Okay well I'm out driving and I notice a really bad smell coming from the cabin. So when I park to go eat I get down and smell the entire car. Turns out when I got to the fusebox I noticed the smell!

One of the fuses, a green 30 amp fuse located above one of the accessory relays, had melted the plug! Then when I touched the plastic and it was soooo hot! And the two red wires going into it (they're the large guage wires) were freakin hot too!!

So I take apart the fuse so it can't keep melting anything and I notice my A/C isn't working anymore. So rationally I figured out the fuse had something to do with the A/C.

I'll take a picture when I get a chance, but I need help figuring out why it melted!

Any help would be really appreciated!!!!

[vinski203]

Fuses usually melt because of a loose connection. They will not melt because of current draw, so it's unlikely there is anything wrong with the system the fuse protects, it's more likely the fuse socket terminals are loose. When the fuse bounces around in a loose connection it will spark, and this is what causes the melting to happen.

[Volkswageneer1990]

[vdubluve1]

Same exact issue here.

[Clay.0]

134a isn't made to be used with those types of fuses.

[Volkswageneer1990]

134a isn't made to be used with those types of fuses.

So would I need to install those transparent colored z fuses? Would that fix the problem? I have another one of the fuse plugs so I can easily just transfer the wires over to a not melted one.

[vinski203]

I'm pretty sure that was a joke... if not the person who wrote it definatly is..

[Volkswageneer1990]

I'm pretty sure that was a joke... if not the person who wrote it definatly is..

What? Lol

[Volkswageneer1990]

So what's the verdict here guys?! What do I need to do to prevent this from happening again!

[vwtechr32]

Replace the socked install the correct size fuse and pack w/ dielectric grease for added protection from arching/heating up

[Volkswageneer1990]

Replace the socked install the correct size fuse and pack w/ dielectric grease for added protection from arching/heating up

I have another socket, but what size fuse would I need to prevent this from happening again?

[VDub2625]

What? Lol

You are too easy.

Don't pack the fuse socket with dielectric grease. just replace it with the same fuse rating and be done with it already.

Didn't think changing a fuse needed a thread... but this is the NEW vortex.

[vwtechr32]

You are too easy.

Don't pack the fuse socket with dielectric grease. just replace it with the same fuse rating and be done with it already.

Didn't think changing a fuse needed a thread... but this is the NEW vortex.

Your telling this man that you would recommend that he continues to use this fuse socket On any 20+ yr old vehicle.. it is ABSOLUTLLY advisable to inspect, clean and grease ALL wire connections the galvanic corrosion that occurs under just the open atmosphere humidity alone starts to cause huge problems at that age.

[VDub2625]

Your telling this man that you would recommend that he continues to use this fuse socket On any 20+ yr old vehicle.. it is ABSOLUTLLY advisable to inspect, clean and grease ALL wire connections the galvanic corrosion that occurs under just the open atmosphere humidity alone starts to cause huge problems at that age.

I'd reccomend he change it, definitely, and it's easy to do. But he could just put another one there, as long as the terminals are clean. I did the same with my fuel pump fuse and it is fine

Again, yeah it's adviseable to grease connections... is it necessary? No. I know in my car I'm plugging and unplugging **** so often that the contact terminals are always clean

In a professioal situation and what i do to my own car are two different things. i advise the pro route, but I don't think he'll have much of an issue.

[Volkswageneer1990]

I'd reccomend he change it, definitely, and it's easy to do. But he could just put another one there, as long as the terminals are clean. I did the same with my fuel pump fuse and it is fine

Again, yeah it's adviseable to grease connections... is it necessary? No. I know in my car I'm plugging and unplugging **** so often that the contact terminals are always clean

In a professioal situation and what i do to my own car are two different things. i advise the pro route, but I don't think he'll have much of an issue.

Oh I'm going the professional route. I'm not skipping any beats here. I already have the new socket.

[VDub2625]

oh I know you are. You don't need to change the connectors though, just the socket. Just make sure the connectors are clean.

[Volkswageneer1990]

oh I know you are. You don't need to change the connectors though, just the socket. Just make sure the connectors are clean.

Cool. Will do. I'm sending you a PM too about some other stuff I need help with.