• Welcome to the Contour Enthusiasts Group, the best resource for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique.

    You can register to join the community.

Mega fuse? Duratec 2.5L 98 Contour SE

E

entoptics

New CEG'er
Joined
Aug 29, 2008
Messages
12
Greetings. Having charging issues, and before I try to replace the alternator, I'd like to eliminate the mega fuse. I've burned up the search engine and googled a bunch, and I still can't find it.

I pulled the coil pack, and I don't see anything resembling the few pictures I was able to find. I've attached a picture showing what I can see.

Am I blind, or is it hiding somewhere else? Does anyone have a good picture? Please help a newb out.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1405..jpg
    IMG_1405..jpg
    481.4 KB · Views: 7
I assume I should check continuity across it with an ohm meter? How does that box open? I didn't notice any obvious tabs.

BTW, thanks for the quick reply.
 
The mega fuse is not visible in the photo provided. It is on the back side of the black plastic box that contains the main engine harness. The cover has two clips that are squeezed together to take it off.


What is the issue going on? Its very rare to hear that a mega fuse has blown. I would say its either good or it is not. If its blown then the battery light would be on all the time.
 
The battery light is constantly on, and the battery is not charging (~12.75 V at 2000 RPM). We've been driving it short trips to and from work, then hooking it to a charger overnight. The instruments and radio will fail after a couple trips. I assume it's the alternator, but after a search around here, I learned of the megafuse, and figured I should check that first.

I'll dig into it this afternoon and double check the mega fuse. I'll snap some pictures if/when I find it, so the next sucker will have something to go on.

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep you posted with what I find.
 
Are you guys referring to the box in this image?
Wiring box..jpg

If so, I tried to get it open, and it's a bear! Once I got it pealed open enough to see inside, all I could see is approximately 13,070,251 little wires. I didn't dig in there, but at first glance there is nothing in there like the pictures of a megafuse, let alone a wire big enough to handle 175 amps.

Please advise...
 

Attachments

  • Wiring box.jpg
    Wiring box.jpg
    478.9 KB · Views: 1
It's also very possible it isn't the megafuse. And just like brapple said, it rarely is. When it comes to our cars, here are the 'loose' steps to take when tackling battery light issue;
-Battery terminals & cables for corrosion
-Physically check all wiring including megafuse & test for continuity using an ohmmetre
-Have battery & alternator tested
-If alternator is culprit, you will either need a new one or do the wiring "fix" many of us do. Search for the alternator wiring fix. If you can't find it, post back.
 
I thought it was in that box, but i could be wrong. Locate the large black solid cable that runs from the battery to the alternator. The routing is at follows; Battery->Starter->Megafuse->Alternator. The megafuse rests right next to the firewall.
 
If the battery light is on constantly then its either the fog lamp fuse or the mega fuse. Do the fog lamps turn on?
 
entoptics said:
Are you guys referring to the box in this image?


If so, I tried to get it open, and it's a bear! Once I got it pealed open enough to see inside, all I could see is approximately 13,070,251 little wires. I didn't dig in there, but at first glance there is nothing in there like the pictures of a megafuse, let alone a wire big enough to handle 175 amps.

Please advise...
Click to expand...


Yes I am referring to the box. The mega fuse is not in it, its behind it in a smaller box.


As noted the positive battery cable runs to the starter - mega fuse - alternator.
 
Is this the megafuse? I put my multi-meter on the contacts that come out each side, and I get 0.00 ohms (same reading as a paper clip and or touching the probes together) so I assume the fuse is still good.

I also checked the flood lights, and they do work. Any more suggestions, or should I order myself a new alternator?

Mega Fuse..jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top