Rusty fuse box in 68 Cutlass Supreme
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 913
Rusty fuse box in 68 Cutlass Supreme
hey everyone. i recently bought a 68 cutlass supreme 4dr. i posted about it in the cutlass forums and mentioned that it has some electrical issues. the gen light stays on and the previous owner had changed the alternator and battery with no luck. it charges normally with no draining.
the a/c is disconnected and so are all the speakers. when i bought it only the left power windows would open. i decided to try check/replace the fuses today and ran into an issue. i noticed that the connectors have rusted. once i removed the fuse for the power and replaced it...none of the windows worked and the car did not make the "click" noise ignition was put on acc. the car powers up fine and the front/tail lights power. the radio fuse and heater fuse were blown out. i did not attempt removing the fuses for the lights in case they wouldnt go back on.
does this sound like i need to have the whole fuse box replaced? is it a complex/pricey replacement? thanks
the a/c is disconnected and so are all the speakers. when i bought it only the left power windows would open. i decided to try check/replace the fuses today and ran into an issue. i noticed that the connectors have rusted. once i removed the fuse for the power and replaced it...none of the windows worked and the car did not make the "click" noise ignition was put on acc. the car powers up fine and the front/tail lights power. the radio fuse and heater fuse were blown out. i did not attempt removing the fuses for the lights in case they wouldnt go back on.
does this sound like i need to have the whole fuse box replaced? is it a complex/pricey replacement? thanks
Oldsdruid
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,629
From: Southside Vajenya
Before you start digging around much in the electrics of the car you need a 1968 chassis manual with good clear wiring diagrams. I believe it will also show you how to remove the fuse box clips so you can clean them.
You can clean them up some in the fuse box by disconnecting the battery and then using some Scotchbrite, fine sandpaper or sometime even a pencil eraser to clean the rust off the fuse clips. Then put NEW fuses in, replacing them with the same type shown on the fuse box. The owners manual if you have it will show you which ones to use.
Or ask here, some of us have 1968 service literature and we can tell you what to get.
Just remember that wiring can definitely cause a car fire and you don't want that.
You can clean them up some in the fuse box by disconnecting the battery and then using some Scotchbrite, fine sandpaper or sometime even a pencil eraser to clean the rust off the fuse clips. Then put NEW fuses in, replacing them with the same type shown on the fuse box. The owners manual if you have it will show you which ones to use.
Or ask here, some of us have 1968 service literature and we can tell you what to get.
Just remember that wiring can definitely cause a car fire and you don't want that.
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,802
From: Northern VA
The problem is that the fuse box is wired into the dash harness. The bigger problem is that if there's rust on the panel, there's a water leak and likely rust around the windshield, particularly at the base under the wide stainless strip.
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Oldscutty72
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