Thing in the Fuse box

[Skeeve]

does anyone know what this thing is in the engine fuse box?

 

[Bio248]

based on the symbol on it, thats a diode.

 

[Skeeve]

based on the symbol on it, thats a diode.

ok, so umm... the black plastic part on it has melted, something i should be concerned with? and damn that was a fast response!

 

[Bio248]

yes, if it was hot enough to melt then the diode is toast as well.

 

[CTKGP09]

the diode probably got so hot while it burned up it melted the plastic

 

[Skeeve]

Does anyone have an idea of what it is for? It looks completely burned up and I was told today that my compressor isnt working, was hoping there was a connection between the two.

 

[matt5112]

does the fuse box lid not have a diagram?

 

[Skeeve]

yes it does, but unfortunately it just shows a black block and thats it.
Nevermind, found a pdf... its the ac clutch diode, my next question would be, if this is burned out would this cause the compressor to not work?

 

[BillBoost37]

Found this in the fm manuals
The diode of the A/C compressor clutch connects across the terminals of the A/C compressor clutch. The diode provides a path for the current which results from voltage spikes. Voltage spikes generate from the collapsing magnetic field of the A/C compressor clutch coil. Voltage spikes occur every time the coil de-energizes.

 

[Skeeve]

ok so in laymans terms? lol

 

[Bio248]

laymans terms: you need that diode in order to not fry your a/c compressor clutch.

 

[Skeeve]

thank you, so now.... if the clutch still kicks on when i turn the ac on then it would be the compressor thats shot right? (i dont have a lot of trust for mech shops)

 

[alkygto]

Subscribing

My A/C has'nt worked all summer, just went and checked my diode and no reading either direction , too bad my engine is toast so I can't see if I need to replace the compressor while the motor is out.

 

[Skeeve]

wouldn't the engine need to be running for current to flow through tha diode?

 

[alkygto]

No, I took it out and checked for resistance through the diode with a meter, it showed 0 both ways ( current only flows one way through a diode). BTW mine is not melted.

 

[BillBoost37]

Take a look at the schematic though guys. That diode is merely there to take the bumps out of the electrical system that may hurt the compressor. Technically the compressor should still operate w/o the diode in place.