Question1998 chrysler sebring convertalble jxi. 20 amp fuse #8 labeled, ign., fuel, starter, blew 2 days ago, and then again today, while moving. scarey for daughter. Last year same fuse, several times blew, was bad starter. Haven't had problem since, till now. Can you help?
AnswerHi Jack,
That fuse sends current to the ignition switch which then divides it among 4 other circuits including the starter motor relay (as you learned), the body computer, and four other fuses in the fuse box under the dash (10 amps each). So I can see how it might be put under near-blow current demands. The only items that are not fused are the starter motor relay and the body control module which itself powers many things. I would assume that the 10 amp fused circuits would blow their own fuses first before blowing #8, and that if you aren't using the starter at the time of the blow then that too would be out of the loop. The issue then is what in the body control system is overdrawing the fuse?
About all I can suggest is to try and notice which system of the car has recently been activated just before the fuse blew. The other approach would be to increase the fuse to 30 amp in the hope that the faulty load is high but not a dead short. It would still blow if it is a short, but might solve the problem for the time being.
Other than that it probably means putting an ohmmeter in each of those 6 or so circuits that draw on #8 and watching for which one is overdrawing its share as you drive along, not an easy project.
So consider these ideas and let me know if you have any other clues as to time of occurence.
Roland
