# Question about replacing fuses **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** fuses, electrical-wiring\ **Created:** [September 14, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154 "2014-09-14T00:00:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elduderino260](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/elduderino260/32/45324_2.png) [@elduderino260](https://community.cartalk.com/u/elduderino260)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/1 "2014-09-14T00:00:19Z")
I found a blown fuse in my automobile. I will need to drive the car to pick up the replacement. Do I need to keep the blown fuse in the appropriate slot while driving to the parts store, or can I just toss it? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/2 "2014-09-14T00:08:28Z")
Save it for now, so that you can take the old fuse into the store to find the correct replacement ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 12:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/3 "2014-09-14T00:10:11Z")
Don’t toss it! Carry it into the parts store in order to ensure that you get the correct type of replacement fuse. There are several “styles” of fuses and w/o the old one for reference, you could buy the wrong type, even if it has the correct amperage rating. ---
**Author:** ![elduderino260](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/elduderino260/32/45324_2.png) [@elduderino260](https://community.cartalk.com/u/elduderino260)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/4 "2014-09-14T00:15:45Z")
Right, but do I need to keep the blown fuse in its slot in the fuse box or can I just hold onto it in my pocket? Also, can I replace an ATO type fuse with an ATS type fuse as long as they are both the same amperage? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/5 "2014-09-14T00:20:59Z")
No, you cannot use an ATS-type fuse in place of an ATO-Type fuse, as their contacts are in different places and the fuses are totally different. If you are cursed with an older European car with ATO fuses, then ATO is what you need to get–although it might be hard to locate them in some stores. No, you do not need to keep the blown fuse in place while you drive. Just as a burned-out light bulb serves no useful purpose, neither does a burned-out fuse. Carry it in your pocket–and pray that a store near you still carries ATO-type fuses. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 2:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/6 "2014-09-14T02:12:31Z")
A fuse is just a switch so once its off doesn’t matter if its in the circuit or not, its still off. ---
**Author:** ![MY\_2\_CENTS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/22d042/32.png) [@MY\_2\_CENTS](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MY_2_CENTS)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 2:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/7 "2014-09-14T02:28:31Z")
A blown fuse is the same as no fuse. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 2:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/8 "2014-09-14T02:40:41Z")
Another question you might ponder is why the fuse is blown… ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 2:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/9 "2014-09-14T02:43:21Z")
@VDCdriver–“Just as a burned-out light bulb serves no useful purpose, neither does a burned-out fuse”. Shouldn’t you leave a burned-out bulb in the socket to keep the electricity from leaking out, or is that only necessary if the socket is pointed down?" We don’t want the electricity leaking out from the hot side of the fuse line either, do we? ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 2:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/10 "2014-09-14T02:48:49Z")
With that last post, I am logging Triedaq off this board for today to spare you all from any more comments like this. Mrs. Triedaq ---
**Author:** ![MY\_2\_CENTS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/22d042/32.png) [@MY\_2\_CENTS](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MY_2_CENTS)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 2:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/11 "2014-09-14T02:56:44Z")
Keep’em com’in. We need more like that. ---
**Author:** ![Yosemite](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/yosemite/32/643_2.png) [@Yosemite](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Yosemite)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 3:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/12 "2014-09-14T03:22:04Z")
I thought that the blinker fluid would leak out, and you know what happens when that stuff gets on the paint!!! Or if the car is parked and someone walks by they could slip and fall…then there’d be a big lawsuit. Yosemite ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 4:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/13 "2014-09-14T04:56:06Z")
“If you are cursed with an older European car with ATO fuses…” ATO are blade-type, ATS are the European end-contact type: [http://www.littelfuse.com/products/fuses/automotive-aftermarket-products/specialty-items/ats.aspx](http://www.littelfuse.com/products/fuses/automotive-aftermarket-products/specialty-items/ats.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 4:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/14 "2014-09-14T04:59:26Z")
Yeah I think the weather has had an impact on my brain too. I’m just not ready for winter again. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 5:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/15 "2014-09-14T05:12:32Z")
My car fuse box has a few extras in it. You might check your owners manual against the fuses in the box to see if you have spares too. ---
**Author:** ![elduderino260](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/elduderino260/32/45324_2.png) [@elduderino260](https://community.cartalk.com/u/elduderino260)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 5:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/16 "2014-09-14T05:13:46Z")
Perhaps I have a misunderstanding as to what ATS and ATO fuses are: Are these two substitutable (if they were the same amperage)? [http://assets.bluesea.com/images/products/5243.jpg](http://assets.bluesea.com/images/products/5243.jpg) [https://www.ozautoelectrics.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/640x480/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/s/t/standard\_blade\_fuse\_30\_amp\_\_14985.jpg](https://www.ozautoelectrics.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/640x480/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/s/t/standard_blade_fuse_30_amp__14985.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Joe-Guy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joe-guy/32/124_2.png) [@Joe-Guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joe-Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 5:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/17 "2014-09-14T05:26:18Z")
**“Shouldn’t you leave a burned-out bulb in the socket to keep the electricity from leaking out, or is that only necessary if the socket is pointed down?”** Socket electricity leaks are difficult to clean up no matter where the socket is pointing. That type of leak should be prevented at all cost. I always keep a socket wrench available to deal with that sort of problem. ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 5:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/18 "2014-09-14T05:26:40Z")
Neither of those are ATS: > **[Fuse (automotive)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuse_%28automotive%29)** > > Automotive fuses are a class of fuses used to protect the wiring and electrical equipment for vehicles. They are generally rated for circuits no higher than 32 volts direct current, but some types are rated for 42-volt electrical systems. They are occasionally used in non-automotive electrical products. Blade fuses (also called spade or plug-in fuses), with a plastic body and two prongs that fit into sockets, are mostly used in automobiles. Each fuse is printed with the rated current in amperes... If they are the same dimensions, they’ll fit in the same slot. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 5:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/19 "2014-09-14T05:32:18Z")
Perhaps instead of ATS you meant ATC which is a closed version of the ATO (open) fuse. Either one will work, I’m guessing the ATC being closed reduces the risk of spark/explosion in an environment with gasoline vapors. ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2014, 5:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154/20 "2014-09-14T05:35:53Z")
but again…and only mentioned once so far…WHY is the fuse blown ? A blown fuse is merely a symptom. a problem existed…or still exists…that blew the fuse. find that out or you’ll see the replacement fuse blow instantly if the problem still exists. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/question-about-replacing-fuses/87154.md?page=2)