Fuse box in flames
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Fuse box in flames
Hello everybody,
this is my first time on a form and I'm looking for some help and explanation. I was just driving my 87 Ford bronco today and I spelt a electrical smell coming from the floor area. My first thought it was the high beam switch on the floor malfunction but then the smell got more and more intense. I quickly pulled over and it was coming from the fuse box! I quickly was trying to get that panel open and then I seen small flames! It caught the foam insulation on fire! I grabbed my fire extinguisher and put it out. It looks as if it started from fuse #9 the blower motor fuse. And that's the only thing that doesn't work now. Everything else works great and I was able to drive it home but without heat. Now has anyone replaced or pulled out a fuse panel on theirs? I don't even know we're to begin. I imagine my blow motor is fine it's just the fuse box is damaged now due to the accident. How hard is it to replace? Will it take long? I just wanna know a little bit more before I dive into it! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
EOTZ-14A068-A .. Fuse Panel / Obsolete ~ No Ford dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any.
Applications: 1980/96 F100/350 & Bronco / 1983/92 Ranger / 1984/90 Bronco II / 1986/91 Aerostar / 1991 Explorer / 1997 F250 Heavy Duty & F350.
Applications: 1980/96 F100/350 & Bronco / 1983/92 Ranger / 1984/90 Bronco II / 1986/91 Aerostar / 1991 Explorer / 1997 F250 Heavy Duty & F350.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,568
Likes: 33
From: Swansea SC
Doug, Glad it didn't do any more damage, fire can be costly. Fyi , (painless sells fuse blocks ),Usually when a fire occurs its a bad connection. When u get a short(hot to ground) the fuse blows and your protected. On my 1985 f150 I had an experience where the same occurred but at the heater switch. Upon removing the switch the, wires were burned(wire to switch was barely making contact) I installed a new switch, problems solved. First thing I would do it Disconnect Your Battery. This will protect the truck from any fire. The ac /heater/fan circuit pulls a good bit of amperage and now
that circuit doesn't work, perhaps that your problem. You must inspect all your wiring .If you do not feel comfortable doing this ,do you have an electrical shop close? These trucks age and things get brittle(wire) and connections get loose . Most electrical shops will give out good info too. My 85 f150 fuse block is under the drivers side dash. It can be removed from its mount with tabs connecting it. I do not know about the 87s or have I removed my 1992 bronco fuse panel.Any how before working on anything Disconnect Your Battery(cheap insurance)Good luck TR
that circuit doesn't work, perhaps that your problem. You must inspect all your wiring .If you do not feel comfortable doing this ,do you have an electrical shop close? These trucks age and things get brittle(wire) and connections get loose . Most electrical shops will give out good info too. My 85 f150 fuse block is under the drivers side dash. It can be removed from its mount with tabs connecting it. I do not know about the 87s or have I removed my 1992 bronco fuse panel.Any how before working on anything Disconnect Your Battery(cheap insurance)Good luck TR
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,023
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your best bet is to go get a junk yard fuse box and carefully swap it in soldering all the wires together with heat shrink from a matching donor truck. Fuses don't always blow when they are supposed too unfortunately. My Bronco carries 30 lbs of Co2 extinguishers in the back and a smaller 5lb ABC dry chemical extinguisher up front just for this reason. I've helped out a few guys over the years. 
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Blower fans are gonna pull lots of extra current right before they lock up, the fuse "should" blow, but that's not always the case. The shop manual should have the normal amperage draw in specifications, make sure to measure this before giving anything the green light.
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