Section 18-01: Wiring and Circuit Protection | 1993 Mustang Workshop Manual |
A fuse link is a short length of insulated wire, integral with the engine
compartment wiring harness. It is several wire gauges smaller than the circuit
which it protects and generally located in-line directly from the positive
terminal of the battery.
Production fuse links are color-coded:
NOTE: Replacement fuse link color coding may vary from production fuse link color coding.
When heavy current flows, such as when a booster battery is connected incorrectly or when a short to ground occurs in the wiring harness, the fuse link burns out and protects the alternator or wiring.
A burned out fuse link may have bare wire ends protruding from the insulation, or it may have only expanded or bubbled insulation with illegible identification. When it is hard to determine if the fuse link is burned out, perform the continuity test.