I think my new car radio is burning out my fuse. Should I switch to a higher fuse?

Question

I got a nice new CD player for my 1996 Buick Century. Since then, the fuse that controls my radio (a yellow 20 fuse) has blown out twice. Is the radio too powerful for the car? Should I put a stronger fuse in the fuse box or will this lead to trouble? Here is the radio, if that helps.

http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=705

Answer 1

If a car CD player is drawing more than 20 amps, there's a problem.  But I'm guessing that the fuse is a power source for more than just the radio.  How's your cigarette lighter working?

It's possible that the power wire at the back of the radio is pinched and shorting out on the metal radio chassis or dash metal.  It's also possible that some other part of the circuit (like the cigarette lighter) is causing the problem.

I'd inspect the wiring at the back of the CD player.  If all appears okay, then I'd find a different power source for the CD player (make sure the new power source has its own fuse).  If the new fuse starts blowing, then there may be a problem with the CD player itself.  If the old fuse keeps blowing, then there's a problem somewhere on that circuit.  If neither fuse blows, then your problem's solved anyway.

Answer 2

no keep the fuse size that it came with, your asking for a car fire if you change amperage. sounds like something is short to ground or wired wrong, but not "too powerful"

Answer 3

bigger fuse could cause a problem. a fuse is there in case there is a power problem (voltage spike, amp spike) things of that nature so the electric devise on the other end of the fuse does not get damaged, a bigger fuse could send the power problem straight to the new deck....not good. there is most likely a problem with the install. a lose wire that's hitting another wire or touching metal, or the ground wire is loose. if you used a aftermarket wire harness kit http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/G... like this one there should be less problems... but if you cut and taped all the wires theres a short somewhere. or if was done at a shop take it in. hope this helps.

Answer 4

no dont use a higher fuse. something is probably shorting out. pull the radio out and make sure the power wire(usually yellow) is hooked up properly and that bare wire isnt showing.