1997 Avalon Fuse/Electrical Problem, Please Help

[NissanMD]

Hello, fellow DIYers. I have a friend who drives a '97 Toyota Avalon (with 150K miles). While using a Garmin GPS device in the cigarette lighter socket, the fuse blew and caused her center media console to shut down including her radio and A/C. I told her that it was no big deal and to replace to fuse, which she did. The problem is that the fuse after a minute or so with the A/C running blows out again; she did this twice and then just ran out of fuses. The GPS is no longer plugged into the car so there shouldn't be any "overload" so I don't know why the fuses are blowing shortly after installation. Any comments or recommendation would be greatly appreciated, as this young teacher has a round trip commute of 120 miles (ElLicott City to Hagerstown, MD) everyday to work and temperatures in the past week have been in the 90s.

 

[chas3]

sounds like there might be wire that is shorting to ground or something is wrong with the a/c relay. it only blows the fuse when the a/c is running?

 

[Axe Man]

I would check the lighter socket itself. It might be shorted.

 

[mstrjon32]

On a totally unrelated note I almost bought a house in Hagerstown, MD, but the commute back to where I am now was just too much for me to stomach. Plus, I don't know how much longer I really want to stay in this state.

As for the car, you're best bet is to probably break out the multimeter and try to figure out what is pulling such a big load that it keeps blowing fuses.

 

[Quest]

lemme see:

(1) is the stereo factory stock?

(2) is/are there any unrelated additional "add-on" such as aftermarket car alarm installed previously?

(3) Have you or she tried plugging that Garmin GPS into a different car? Does it work?

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Check for metal debris on the bottom of the cigarette socket for shorts.

Q.

 

[NissanMD]

First, thanks everyone for all the feedback. Everything on the car is stock and the fuse blows only when the A/C is on, which never occured before plugging that GPS which is causing her all this trouble. The GPS was her friend's and due to this incident, she will never plug any aftermarket gps in her car. She does not run anything else in the car, everything is stock and bare minimum.

I'll check the lighter first to make sure there is nothing out of the ordinary there but if it's anything more than that I guess she'll have to shell out the little money that she has for a mechanic.

 

[brianl703]

I suspect the AC control head is messed up. OR the AC compressor clutch is pulling too much current. Without a wiring diagram it's hard to say for sure. You COULD try unplugging the AC compressor clutch connector under the hood and see if the fuse still blows when the AC is turned on. If it stops then it's a safe bet that the AC compressor clutch is the problem.


I doubt the GPS had anything to do with the problem.

 

[JohnBrowning]

NissanMD, I can tell you that the GPS unit has nothing to do with it! A GPS unit draw's milliamps and most cigerete lighters are fused for 20-40 amp's worth of current draw. You need to check the wireing behind the dash comeing and going to and from the AC controls,blower motor,radio etc......The GPS unit and the problem are not related.

It would be like going to the gas station and filling up and then getting 4 flat tires. Did putting gas int he car cause the four tires to deflate? Probably not. Or putting Penzoil in your car and then spinning a bearing that same day. The car never spun a bearing before you put Penzoil in so it must have been Penzoil's fualt. You break a mirror getting ready for work and latter that day you get fired from your job. Did nreaking the mirror result in you getting fired? Probably not related at all.

The reason the fuse is continueing to blow is because their is a short some place in the system that is cause a greater draw then what the fuse is rated for. The fact that it only happens when the AC is turned on should clue you in to the cause of the problem. If the problem is not fixed properly she could experince an electrical fire. Do not try putting in a bigger fuse or the wires themselfs will turn into the fuse wich would not be good.

When it comes to tracking down electrical problems it is usualy best to do one of two things find a shop that specializes in automotive electrical repairs (these are far and few between)or takeit to the dealership as they are more familar with the product and can often find the problem faster then a private garage that works on anything and everything.

 

[NissanMD]

The general consensus is that the problem resolves around the A/C compressor clutch assembly and possibly the compressor itself. I'm not car mechanic nor a serious DIYer who tears apart car on the weekends, so I'll call around shops and dealership and see how much this will cost her. She and I truly appreciate all your help and I'll try to keep you guys updated.