Bought an 86. Need a little help?

[TAPSniper]

Hey all, I bought an 86 cont in beautiful shape, but never got any manuals or anything with it, apart from the computer guide display booklet thing. Anyways, I was wondering if anyone had the Fuse panel Legend? Thanks!

-Nathan

[Wolfe_83Conti]

Technically, this is taken from the Merc Cougar, but the cars are just about electrically identical. It's the closest thing I could find. :cool:

http://www.coolcats.net/tech/reference/fuses.html

[TAPSniper]

Technically, this is taken from the Merc Cougar, but the cars are just about electrically identical. It's the closest thing I could find. :cool:

http://www.coolcats.net/tech/reference/fuses.html

Awesome, thanks so much man.

I ended up pulling all the fuses anyways, lol. I installed a stereo (deck, amps, speakers and subwoofer) and ended up blowing my dash fuse (no more cluster, the whole spedo, fuel gauge, and odometer were off, as well as the deck) Found out it was because there was only a 4a fuse running it (the deck takes a lot more power than that, because its a touchscreen variety, w/ some other power hungry features) But I also found a fuse that was blown (why my power mirrors didnt work, map lights, and keyless entry)

I replaced the Cluster/Deck fuse with a 20A, and replaced the 15A fuse for the lights and mirrors with a 25 (only ones I had around, wanted to go higher on the dash fuse anyways) Theres still a fusable link inbetween there though, right? just incase there happens to be a short later on?

[pro-five-oh]

I replaced the Cluster/Deck fuse with a 20A, and replaced the 15A fuse for the lights and mirrors with a 25 (only ones I had around, wanted to go higher on the dash fuse anyways) Theres still a fusable link inbetween there though, right? just incase there happens to be a short later on?

BAD idea. The fusable links are under the hood from the source of all power (starter solenoid) I don't think there is one between the fuse box and the dash electronics.

I'd highly recommend getting a Ford shop manual and EVTM manual for this car off of eBay. If you're not careful with what you do, you can easily make these cars into wiring nightmares.

[Wolfe_83Conti]

Like mine was! :p

[TAPSniper]

BAD idea. The fusable links are under the hood from the source of all power (starter solenoid) I don't think there is one between the fuse box and the dash electronics.

I'd highly recommend getting a Ford shop manual and EVTM manual for this car off of eBay. If you're not careful with what you do, you can easily make these cars into wiring nightmares.

But isnt there a fusable link between the fusebox and the solenoid? So basically, say something catastrophic happens, and my power wire slips out from the deck and shorts to ground, wouldnt the 16ga fusable link pop before the 25A fuse would, and before any of the factory wires caught on fire? Running a separate Power into the head units a real pain in the ass, as well as I would need to install a separate switch to turn it on and off.

[gadget73]

There is a fuse link at the starter solenoid, however, at least on a TC, the fuse link that will pop when some major failure happens in the dash is the same one the ECM gets power from, so you will suddenly find yourself with no engine, no lights, and easy way to fix the problem other than calling a tow truck. You don't need a heavy seperate power feed for the stereo. The stock one should be fine. If it isn't, you can use the stock power wire to operate a relay, and run a heavier power wire to the battery. I'm running an aftermarket Kenwood stereo in my car off the stock rated fuses and I've not had an issue with it yet. As long as the amplifier is not powered off the same source as the radio you'll be fine. You should never ever run the amp off the dash wiring anyway. Those should always get a direct heavy guage wire to the battery with a fuse as close to the battery as possible.

[nicholas77586]

Running a really sounds the most safe if your deck is really pulling that much power. I use the standard relays that run aftermarket auxillary lights people put on thier cars. They are easly marked and you can get them off the shelf at Autozone. I didnt use the factory groud on my stereo though, it was a little fuzzy so i grounded it to the body.

[TAPSniper]

There is a fuse link at the starter solenoid, however, at least on a TC, the fuse link that will pop when some major failure happens in the dash is the same one the ECM gets power from, so you will suddenly find yourself with no engine, no lights, and easy way to fix the problem other than calling a tow truck. You don't need a heavy seperate power feed for the stereo. The stock one should be fine. If it isn't, you can use the stock power wire to operate a relay, and run a heavier power wire to the battery. I'm running an aftermarket Kenwood stereo in my car off the stock rated fuses and I've not had an issue with it yet. As long as the amplifier is not powered off the same source as the radio you'll be fine. You should never ever run the amp off the dash wiring anyway. Those should always get a direct heavy guage wire to the battery with a fuse as close to the battery as possible.



No, Im not running the amps off the Power from the dash, LoL. Heres some pics on carstereo with my Honda and its equipment installed (now gutted and in the lincoln, but still need to finish some carpeting and hiding wires before I put the pics online) Its all been ran properly, but the HU is a clarion 865 Touchscreen deck. Pulls about 18A max (the actual manual says current consumption Less than 15A, 3A) theres two power leads, both fused, one with a 15A and one with a 3A (theres no actual fuses on the back of the HU, like on every other one Ive seen, but there on the wiring harness) so right there, Im guaranteed to have gone above the 4A fuse already. When I say hardwire to the battery, I ment Hardwire a 16GA wire from my Batt+ to the HU Power and ACC, Becuase If I were to use stock fuses, it would blow each time the HU had to do any sort of work (like output at 5v to the amps).

[pro-five-oh]

But isnt there a fusable link between the fusebox and the solenoid?


Yes there is, I misunderstood you. My bad. :)

[gadget73]

I'd still heavily consider a relay in that case. Installing fuses larger than needed is just asking for problems. The wiring in 80s Fords is kind of marginal at best anyway and after 20 years, its certainly not at its best.

[TAPSniper]

I'd still heavily consider a relay in that case. Installing fuses larger than needed is just asking for problems. The wiring in 80s Fords is kind of marginal at best anyway and after 20 years, its certainly not at its best.

I understand the relay, and really, I do agree with you. but man, I soooo dont want to put one in =/ that means I have to lengthen the acc wire to the relay, and wire a new 16ga power wire direct from the battery to the relay and then wire the relay to the deck (If i remember right), gwa, Id almost rather wire a direct switch instead you know. kind of customize the ride a little bit more and I forgot to post the link to my accord from carstereo so here it is http://www.carstereo.com/installs/photo_gallery_album.cfm?home=yes&photoid=35657&galleryid=2540

[gadget73]

Hey man, its your car. Just buy a fire extinguisher.

[Wolfe_83Conti]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: