demiseraph

Ok, so this is an oddball issue and haven't had time to get it into a shop. Trying to do some initial diagnosis myself.

About a month or so ago the condenser 20 amp mini fuse blew on my 98 honda civic. So no A/C and no turning fan. Replace the fuse, it blows again. Checked all the wires, fans spin without any resistance, all seems well, fuse still blows.

I pull out the cooling fan 20 amp mini fuse that is right next to the condenser fan fuse. The A/C works, fan spins, doesn't blow fuse. Turn off the car, throw the cooling fan fuse back in. Doesn't blow the fuse but you can hear the A/C kind of click in. Additionally it does seem to cycle the fan off and on for the A/C (not sure if this is normal at intervals) and once in a while seems to have a hard time rekicking in.

Now this is what I did to fix it a few weeks ago, the fuse just blew again. So I ended up rechecking everything, popped out cooling fan fuse, and A/C starts to work. Put it back in, stays working (still has the odd ball click and strange kick in issue).

Anyone have any ideas where the actual source of the issue is then? Just blowing the one fuse, and works again for a while after "cycling" the fuses. No clue what the real issue is (or if this is damaging my belts/engine/ac system).

My Fiancee did drive the car today with the fuse blown and I notice the belt sounds a bit noisier... so hoping nothing got damaged in process of it going out.

Thanks ahead of time for ideas and help!

PyroProblem

Sounds like the condenser fan itself is failing/drawing more than the rated fuse.
You could hook up an multi-meter in place of the fuse to see what kinda amps its pulling. I would suspect it should only pull 2 or 3 amps max...
Good luck and let us know what you find!

Former User

Sounds like a bad hood fuse box.

You are talking about 20A hood fuse 56 (condenser fan and compressor clutch) and 20A hood fuse 57 (radiator fan), right?

demiseraph

Yup, 56 and 57. 56 blows, pop out 57, it all works, put it back in, and it works a few weeks, then 56 eventually blows. So you are thinking the fuse box itself is causing the issue?

Former User

It's the only thing I can think of that would explain your observations. Scout local junkyards for a replacement.

If you remove the fuse box and inspect its underside, you may see signs of a short below fuse 56 and 57.

demiseraph

Ok, I'll head that route. Didn't make sense to me either that removing and replacing 57 would make 56 work. So I can see that being a likely starting point. Thanks for the idea

motegicivic

Just to make sure, check and trace all the wiring for the fan itself, see if there is split, crimped, bent etc, any exposed wire could cause a short and trip a fuse. Also check te connector itself.

MOD and ANGRY

I'm having the same issue with my 98 Civic, what was your outcome with changing the fuse box?