'01 sebring convertible: fuse testing

QuestionEdit

Hi Roland- I am still having elec problems with my 2001 sebring convertible. The radio blew, and took out the pwr mirrors, pwr door locks, interior lights trunk release button on the dash and keyless remote. I tested the fuses in my fuse box under the dash with a test light. Fuses 2-3 -12 -13 did not light the test light with the car running. But, these are the fuses for the hi and lo headlamps, which work fine. I don't understand that at all. I pulled fuse 13 and the appropriate headlamp went out. Fuses 5 and 6 also did not light the test lamp. I changed the fuses with known good fuses, they are still out. #5 is Int lamps/ power mirror. #6 is heated mirror- I don't have heated mirrors! My qwuestions are : 1) Which fuses/ relays under the hood feed fuses #'s 5 and 6? 2) How do I test the 20-30 and 40 amp fuses in the engine fusebox? This is driving me crazy. Afraid to drive the car in case something else dies and my wife gets stranded. Mny thanks again Bob

AnswerEdit

Hi Rob, This was my previous answer to you: Check both fuse 5 in the fuse box at the left end of the dash and fuse 11 in the fuse box under the hood. Those fuses are in series so probably fuse 5 blew because it is 10 amp. while fuse 11 in 20 amp, but check both to be sure. The radio also needs fuses 8 and 14 in the box in the dash so check those out as well.

As to today's question: Fuse 5 in the dash is fed by fuse 11 under the hood, and fuse 6 in the dash is fed by fuse 6 under the hood.

With a test light (instead of a volt-ohm meter) you can only test a fuse when it is getting power coming to as shown by one side of the fuse lighting the test light (one lead of test light has to be grounded to shiny metal surface, other lead touching the fuse contact end) and then if the other end of the fuse also lights the light then the fuse is good. Otherwise it is not good. But if the fuse is not getting power at one end or the other then you can't test it; all you can do is inspect it visually OR change the electrical switches that are involving that fuse so that it does get power. So to check the larger fuses under the hood try what I said above as many, But not all, are powered all the time; visually inspect those that aren't powered on at least one end. Or get an volt-ohm meter or continuity tester. Please 'rate' my answer (see below). Thanks, Roland