It’s frustrating to see that the 10 amp AC fuse keeps blowing in your car. This problem is most commonly caused by a bad field coil, wiring issues, a damaged wire harness, a faulty compressor clutch, and a failing AC pressure switch.
Keep reading this article to find out more about these issues in detail and how you can permanently fix the problem. Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
Why 10 Amp AC Fuse Keeps Blowing [Reasons + Soultions]
If you’re wondering why my 10 amp fuse keep blowing, you’ll find the answer in this section. Let’s look at the usual reasons that cause a 10 amp fuse to blow up:
1. Bad Field Coil
It’s normal for a 10 amp fuse to have 3 or 4 amps of current passing through it. But if the coil has gone bad, the amperage will go to extremely high levels. Whenever it gets passed 10 amps, the fuse gets blown.
You can tell the fuse keeps blowing because of a bad coil if it always happens after an extended period of driving. As the coil gets turned on and off multiple times during driving, it increases the amperage.
If you have devices like Amp clamp to check amperage, you can use them to prevent it. If you have an extremely high reading right at the start, then the chances are high that a bad coil is causing the issue.
Another way to check if the coil is the culprit is to unplug the compressor and see if the fuse gets blown. If the fuse doesn’t get blown, that’s a good indicator of a bad coil.
Solution:
If you have a bad coil at hand, you have to replace the compressor to fix the 10 amp fuse that keeps blowing issue. Doing that will make sure that your AC keeps running smoothly and the fuse won’t blow anymore.
When replacing the compressor, pay special attention so that the wiring harness doesn’t get pinched in behind the compressor. If the wire gets pinched, your AC fuse will keep blowing again.
2. Wiring Issues
Does your 10 amp ac fuse keeps blowing bad within a short period when you start the car? If so, a short circuit is the most probable reason that’s causing the issue. When there’s low resistance and the electrical components aren’t properly insulated from each other, it can cause a short circuit.
If you have an amp clamp to check the amperage, you can test out if there’s a short in the wire. Initially, the amperage would be steady but there’d be a sudden spike that’ll be way beyond 10 amps and blow the fuse.
Solution:
If you have expertise in dealing with electrical wiring and you feel like you can diagnose and fix the problem, have a go at it. But if it isn’t your cup of tea, it’s good to take it to an expert who can solve the problem for you.
3. Damaged Wire Harness
What does it mean when your fuse keeps blowing without any problem in the field coil or wiring shortage? A damaged or pinched wire harness can be the issue if it isn’t the above two causes already mentioned.
The wire harness is made with insulated materials to increase the resistance. When it goes bad, the resistance goes down and the wires draw more amperage. A damaged wire harness is one of the most commonly seen blown AC fuse in car symptoms.
Solution:
Take your vehicle to make a mechanic if you suspect that the issue is caused by a damaged wiring harness. In some cases, it’s possible to salvage it by repairing it. Otherwise, it needs to be replaced.
4. Faulty Compressor Clutch
Apart from a failing field coil, the entire compression clutch can be faulty due to high pressure from the AC. A bad compressor clutch can cause the fuse to blow up continuously.
Solution:
The faulty compressor clutch needs to be replaced with a new one if it’s the one that’s causing the problem. In some cases, the compressor costs as much as the compressor itself. It’s better to replace the entire compressor if that applies to your car.
5. Failing AC Pressure Switch
What would cause a fuse to keep blowing if it’s not a short circuit or the compressor? A failing AC switch may be the answer. The AC pressure switch is used to regulate the pressure of the AC for both high and low pressure.
Too low and too high pressure can cause the compressor to malfunction. As the pressure reaches an unbearable level, the compressor will turn off to prevent any damage regardless of whether it’s too high or too low.
When the pressure switch is damaged, the compressor won’t work. The role of pumping the refrigerant is mainly done by the compressor. Without a functional pressure switch and compressor, the AC won’t work.
Solution:
If the fuse is blown because of the AC pressure switch, replacing it will do the trick and solve the problem. Even though it’s on the expensive side, you should do it ASAP as it’s an important part of your car.
FAQs:
Can bad ground cause a 10 amp fuse to blow?
If there’s bad ground, then the electrical circuit won’t be completed in the first place. So, the fuse cannot get blown because of bad ground.
Should I increase the fuse if it keeps blowing?
The fuse only acts as a safety mechanism to protect your car from a major accident. It’s not recommended to use a 20 amp fuse if you’re supposed to use a 10 amp fuse. You should focus on the problems behind it instead.
Why does the compressor fuse keep blowing?
The compressor fuse can get blown because of a clogged air filter as high pressure will be required to put to pass the air through it. That’ll result in the compressor doing extra work and blowing the fuse.
What is a good device to pull fuses?
There’s a device called Kiwi pliers that helps you to pull fuses in seconds. It gets the name because the claws of the pliers look like the beak of a bird.
Conclusion
Now you know the usual reasons why the 10 amp AC fuse keeps blowing and how you can figure out the main problem to keep it from blowing again. Having a wiring diagram can help you determine the root cause faster which keeps blowing the fuse.
We hope this guide will help you to understand why the AC fuse is getting blown and have it fixed as early as possible. Drop a comment below if you have any more questions about blown AC fuses.
Note: You can also read how to disable the ABS brakes on the chevy silverado.
About John M
John contributed as a technical head at an automobile company just 2 years after his post-graduation in Automobile Engineering. He loves to lead a free life, so he left his job & started blogging. Now, he does research on every automotive problem, part & product and seeks a better solution & best products & shares his findings with his readers to help them as well as to minimize their struggle.