What should you do if your starter fuse keeps blowing? We discuss this problem below and provide some solutions.
The engine starts running when you push the start button on your car. But sometimes you hear a clicking sound and your car doesn’t start.
There may be issues with the starter fuse. It is pretty small but plays a vital role in starting the engine. It ensures that the engine should receive the proper amount of power whenever you press the start button or turn on the ignition switch.
But sometimes, the starter fuse keeps blowing . There can be various possible reasons for it. For instance, if the battery is dead or the starter relay becomes faulty, the engine will not work. Additionally, the engine fails if the starter solenoid or starter motor doesn’t function properly.
Why Does My Starter Fuse Keeps Blowing?
Are you wondering why your starter fuse is continuously blowing? If yes, then we will discuss some of the reasons why it keeps blowing.
#1. Battery Issues
The battery store energy and release it to start the car engine. But the sulphuric acid can deplete with time. Hence the battery stops working effectively. The positive and negative terminals of the battery can become corroded by accumulating a lot of dust and dirt. It can also be the reason why the car battery fails to work. The ground wire can also become worse with time.
Wherever the battery doesn’t work effectively, it starts drawing a high amount of current, and the 30A starter fuse cannot tolerate it. So, finally, it will blow out. You can take a voltmeter or multimeter and check the battery’s terminals. When the probe touches the terminals, you should get a reading of 12.2 to 12.6 volts.
If you get this voltage range when the car is in off condition, then the battery is working effectively. But if you are getting this range, then either the battery has drained charge, or there can be problems with the alternator. If the battery has a low charge, you can charge it and resolve the issue.
Solution
If the battery ground wire is not working effectively, you must replace it. If there is an issue with the battery or the terminals have been severely corroded, it’s best to replace them with a new one. You don’t have to spend more money on replacing batteries. It will cost you $50 to $250 to replace the battery.
#2. Issues In Starter Relay
If the starter relay malfunctions, then the starter fuse blows. The work of the starter relay is to provide power from the battery to the starter solenoid, which will then activate the starter motor, and then the engine starts to revolute. But when the starter relay doesn’t function, the battery cannot provide the proper water for starting the vehicle engine.
There can be several reasons for the malfunctioning of the starter relay. For instance, the wires can become loose or damaged with time. So they will be unable to transmit power from the battery to the starter solenoid.
The starter relay is usually located inside the car’s hood. So dust, dirt, and derbies can get accumulated with time. Hence that can also be the reason for malfunctioning. Overheating can also be another reason for a bad relay. When the relay handles a lot of heat, it cannot bear it and starts melting. Additionally, the starter relay can also become worse with time.
You can easily diagnose a bad starter relay. Your first duty is to locate its position. Secondly, if you hear a clicking sound from it but the engine is not rotating, there can be some issues with the starter relay.
Solution
If the starter relay is damaged, you must replace it with a new one. It will cost you $50 to replace the starter relay. You can replace a starter relay easily at home. Remove the starter relay from the underhood fuse box and remove it with pliers. Inspect it thoroughly, and if it’s damaged, use a new one.
#3. Issues With the Ignition switch
The malfunctioning of the ignition switch can also be why the starter fuse has blown away in your car. The work of the starter motor is to provide sufficient power to the starter motor so that it can run the engine. But it can malfunction because of damaged springs, temperature fluctuation, or shorting.
Whenever there is a short circuit in the ignition switch, it will extract a lot of current from the battery. The starter fuse cannot handle it and can finally blow away.
Solution
You can take a voltmeter and check the ignition switch. If it’s not working, you need to replace it with a new one. It will cost you $20 to $90 to buy an ignition switch.
#4. Faulty Solenoid
Whenever you turn the ignition switch, the battery provides power to the starter solenoid, activates the starter motor, and finally, the engine revolute. The starter solenoid comprises wires wounded over the movable core. It is a switch and helps in connecting the battery and the starter motor.
You can easily locate the starter solenoid. Open the car hood and follow the positive terminals of the battery to the starter motor. You will find that solenoid is usually mounted over the starter motor.
But when the starter motor solenoid does not work, it draws excess current from the battery. The starter fuse cannot handle it and finally blows away.
There can be several reasons for starter solenoids not to work effectively. For instance, if the wires get damaged or corroded with time, the starter solenoid will not function. A dead battery or bad alternator can also be the reason for the malfunctioning of the starter solenoid. The starter solenoid can have a loose connection with the starter motor, or the solenoid contacts can also burn out because of high resistance for which the engine stops to revolute.
Solution
You have to check the solenoid; if it’s damaged, you should replace it with a new one. Most of the starter solenoids are infused with starters in modern vehicles. But in old cars, the starter solenoid is in separate housing. Replacing the starter solenoid may prevent the starter fuse from blowing away.
#5. Bad Starter
If you have checked the alternator and battery, then your next duty is to check the starter. A faulty starter can be why the starter fuse continuously blows away.
Whenever we turn the ignition key, then the car engine rotates smoothly. But it requires enough air to flow inside the engine, which can be achieved by creating suction inside the internal combustion engine. But if the engine stops rotating, air cannot flow inside the engine, so the fuel cannot burn.
The rotation of the engine mainly depends on the starter motor. The electromagnet inside the starter motor pulls the rod whenever you turn on the ignition switch. Hence the pinion gets attached to the flywheel and starts to revolute. When the starter motor rotates, the engine rotates, allowing a sufficient amount of air to enter the combustion chamber.
But the starter motor can become faulty with time. There can be several reasons for a bad starter motor. For instance, the wires can get corroded or worn out with time. If such is the problem, it will start drawing more current from the battery.
The 30 amp starter fuse will not resist it and finally blows away. There can also be other issues with the starter motor, like an electromagnet and commutator problem, that can cause the motor fuse to blow away.
Solution
If you find the starter motor wires have undergone rust, then clean them. But if the cables are too corroded, it’s better to change them.
If you find issues with the starter motor, it’s better to replace it with a new one. You must buy a new starter motor between $150 and $400. Additionally, you must consider labor charges if hiring a professional. But installing a starter solenoid is super easy, and you can do it easily at home.
Follow the steps below if you want to install the starter motor yourself.
- You must first find the starter motor, usually under the car hood.
- Next, you need to disconnect all the wires from the battery so that power cannot reach the starter motor.
- Now unfasten all the screws which are connected to the starter motor.
- Remove the wires which are connected to the starter. If you find them dirty, then clean them thoroughly.
- Now pull the old starter.
- Reinstall the new starter motor and connect all the wires. You can put some silicone paste on the cables to prevent corrosion.
- Fasten all the screws back in place.
If you successfully installed the starter motor, connect the battery terminals. Now check whether the starter fuse is blowing or not. Replacing a new starter will solve the issue if it is blowing because of the starter motor.
#6. Wiring Problems
Wiring problems can also be the primary reason the starter fuse blows away. There can be a short circuit in the wires present between the ignition switch and the starter relay, which can blow the fuse.
Solution
If you find difficulties in finding the wires that are damaged or have short circuits, or don’t have a wiring diagram, then it’s best to contact a professional mechanic. He will diagnose and install new wires on the vehicle.
#7. Faulty Fuel Pump
When the fuel pump malfunctions, the starter fuse can blow away. The work of the fuel pump is to supply fuel to injectors at the required pressure. Consequently, the injector can spray fuel into the combustion chamber.
But when it malfunctions, then the fuel pump will extract a greater amount of current, and consequently, the starter fuse will blow away.
Use a pressure gauge to check the pressure in your fuel pump. If you find no change in pressure, there are some issues with the fuel pump.
Solution
If you find the fuel pump damaged, then it’s best to replace it with a new one. But changing a fuel pump is quite expensive. You have to spend thousands of dollars on a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. How do you fix a fuse that keeps blowing?
An overloaded circuit is a primary cause for which a fuse can blow away. The starter fuse blows away when it draws a high current from the battery. Well, you can fix the fuse by inspecting various car components. For instance, check the battery, fuel pump, starter solenoid, starter motor, and starter relay. If you find any issues, it’s better to replace them with a new one.
#2. Can a blown starter fuse prevent the car from starting?
When the starter fuse blows, then the current cannot reach from the battery to the starter motor. Hence the starter motor cannot rotate. When the starter motor in the car does not revolute, then the engine stops to revolute, which forbids it from entering air inside the combustion chamber. Hence the vehicle fails to start even after turning on the ignition switch.
#3. How do I know if my starter fuse is blown?
The starter motor should continuously rotate after turning on the ignition switch. But it fails to rotate when the starter fuse blows away. Additionally, the ABS light will turn on once the fuse blows. Another common symptom is a clicking sound. If the relay is faulty, you will hear a clicking sound on turning the ignition switch.
Wrap Up
The car’s starter motor has a fuse, which protects the wiring that goes from the battery to the solenoid switch. When any components, like the starter motor, go bad, it will draw a high amount of current. The fuse cannot tolerate it and blows away.
It’s frustrating when the starter fuse keeps n blowing. Well, we have listed a few possible reasons why the starter fuse in your vehicle is constantly blowing. We hope it will help you in resolving the problem.
Thank you for reading this article!
