Fuse block melted down

Tiny
JKEITH1111
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • MANUAL
  • 165,000 MILES
So my fuse block on top of my battery melted to the the point that there was a quarter size hole in the plastic box that sits on top of the battery. Weeks later AC stopped working, compressor was not coming on at all. Took it to shop. Compressor still under warranty but to determine if it was the part they had to fix my fuse block. Fix fuse block, replace compressor. AC still not fixed, it is the condenser coils (hope that is right). Decide to pick up car rather than put more into it. Go to pick up car and car will not start. They looked at it and said think it was computer as it was not giving them any readings except one time it said bad fuel pump. Only one time. They order a computer now they cannot get the computer programmed to my car. The car is only worth maybe $800.00 running. Do you have any insight as to what the problem may be or do I just need to pick up my car and sell to someone for parts (after all it has a new fuse block, AC compressor, cooling fan which I had replaced earlier in the summer)? I am at a loss.
Thursday, September 6th, 2018 AT 9:03 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
It sounds like there is a main ground cable that is not connected like from the battery to the engine or from the battery to the body. Can you confirm the cables are connected and in good shape? Also, is the security light flashing?

Please report back.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, September 7th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
Honestly it sounds like they mixed up some power wires on the fuse panel. The cooling fan fuse is located there and if that fuse was not getting power, it would cause the A/C to not work. The starter cable is also near where the work was done. Sometimes the main power cable to the starter corrodes and falls off the battery terminal post.

I agree with Ken that the cables at and around the fuse block must be checked again. There are also some ground points underneath the battery tray that are notorious for causing problems. A simple remove and clean will fix any issues with those.
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Tuesday, September 25th, 2018 AT 5:32 PM

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