The other day when my lighter socket quit working while I was using a small air compressor to pump up a flat tire, I assumed the fuse had blown. Took me awhile to locate the fuse panel, but when I did, I found it to be in a very awkward location. You basically have to lay on your back in the front floorboard to look at it. In reading the service manual, I've discovered that the panel should be able to drop down for better access, by undoing a clip. I have no idea of where this might be located, does anyone know? I also need to clean up the fuse connector ends as I did notice they were a bit rusty looking. Thought I would use my dremel tool with the wire brush to clean them up unless someone has a better idea. Thanks! Oh, BTW, turns out the fuse for the lighter is on the back of the lighter and not in the fuse panel. Still needs attention though as I am starting to drive it more and would hate to have it cause a problem.
Leave the cig lighter fuse out so it remains disabled. It was never designed to run your compressor. It is a common source of dash fires.
So you're saying the wiring is not heavy enough to run a compressor? In that case I will have to install new heavier wiring with an inline fuse as I need to have a hookup in case of emergencies. Either that or just install an aux power port under the dash.
I got smart and used electronics to find out what I need to know. I have several digital cameras and how easy is it to hold the camera on the floor and snap a few pics. The spring clip appears to be only on one side and is shown in the two pictures below. Should be a snap, pun intended, to release the fuse block and hopefully have enough loose wire to let it hang low enough to use my dremel tool to clean up the fuse holders. You should be able to see just how rusty they are. :blast:
Yeah, I don't think they painted anything down there, they are all pretty miserable looking. A bit confused as to why you need to be running that compressor though... don't you keep your spare tire inflated?
Good question. Changing to the spare was the plan when the compressor quit, but turns out it was flat also! I ended up using a pair of jumper cables from the battery carefully attached to the end of the compressor cord which normally plugs into the lighter. Worked and I got it pumped up. Has not went down since, not sure why it did in the first place now. Having been a rural mail carrier for almost 20 years, those little compressors were a huge help as you are always picking up God knows what to flatten a tire every few months. Between always carrying a can of fix-a-flat and those compressors, I only had to actually change to the spare about twice in all that time. :Brow:
I bought a clip-on to battery and plug into cigarette socket converter line for exactly that same reason years ago, it's been a godsend. The cigarette lighter circuit in those cars was always bad; - it's constantly live and that fuse is a major problem. A loose socket is enought to send it arcing to something and bingo, you've got a fire. I've never tried to play with an old fuse box though; usually if it all still works I find that it's better to leave sleeping dogs lie. Start moving things around and cracking old brittle insulation and who knows what will happen.
Thanks for all the advice guys, I will definitely keep all of it in mind. :TU: I've also been thinking of converting the old style AGC glass fuses to the newer style ATO fuses and found just what I'm looking for on the Corvair list. These converters fit where the old fuses go, but accept the later ATO fuses. Trouble is, I have no idea of where to find them. I've included a picture of what they look like. Any ideas?
I ran across this thread while trying to figure out why my brake lights don't work. Mosslack, what year is your Buick? I thought that the fuse might be the problem but it looks like the backup lights and brake lights both share the same fuse and the backup lights work so I guess that's not the problem. It appears that I've run into a dead end and there is no solution to the problem so I guess I'll just drive it without brake lights and if I have to stop fast with someone right behind me I'll use both turn signals back and forth real fast....
Mine is a '61. Did you ever locate the stop light switch on the master cylinder? I take it your MC is under the floor on yours? Hope you find it, not good having no brake lights.
I still haven't found it. The MC is in the engine compartment on the driver's side down low by the firewall. I have another thread going in this forum if you want more info rather than having me repeat everything. There's a pic of my MC there and also a pic from a guy in New Zealand with a '56 Special and his MC is different from mine. Do you know if the fuse panel of a '56 is the same as a '61? Maybe mine has a separate fuse for the brake lights. I tried to look up under the dash to find it but I'm 6 foot and 200+ pounds and I couldn't squeeze myself into that small area. Does anyone know if the fuse panel on a '56 has a separate fuse for the brake lights or is it shared with the backup lights?
