Hi there.

Its been a while for me... Yes, my Stilo (1.8 16v 2003) was perfect till yesterday when cabin light / air condition-heating / audio system / alarm sound switched off. The f39 fuse (cabin fuse box) is bye-bye.

Today, I have tried to replace it, turned off everything, replaced it with another - and "PSSFFTT!!" - burned it too instantly.

Now, when it happened yesterday, engine was running, music on (Sony CD) and I think it died when door opened (cabin lights turned on-off?), cant remember exactly. Cooling/heating was off.

What should I check before going to service and dodge the "possibility of being ripped-off" :devil:. Cabin bulbs maybe? Audio? Just to mention, I know the concept but I am no expert for electrics.

I'd put the culprit at the ISO connector on the back of your stereo! If you've not spliced or taped up the switched live properly into life it might have popped out and earthed on the stereo enclosure! I popped a F3* fuse recently like this (my own daft fault, can't remember if it was F39 though).

I haven't done nothing to that stereo recently. I did change its connections to run independently (no ignition key contact needed) over a year ago.

But, since the F39 fuse popped today without anything being switched on (ignition key was out the key lock), it might be the audio because it is connected that way.

Am I right to assume that nothing else can be the problem since I haven't switched the ignition on - the key wasn't even in the key lock?

borislavdj said:

I haven't done nothing to that stereo recently.

Click to expand...

So what have you done

Fuse failure (and shorts) are quite rare on Stilos so good chance it's something you've done :chin:

borislavdj said:

I haven't done nothing to that stereo recently. I did change its connections to run independently (no ignition key contact needed) over a year ago.

But, since the F39 fuse popped today without anything being switched on (ignition key was out the key lock), it might be the audio because it is connected that way.

Am I right to assume that nothing else can be the problem since I haven't switched the ignition on - the key wasn't even in the key lock?

Click to expand...

Like I say, maybe its not your switched live thats popped out the ISO connector then, maybe its the live connector? Soon as it hits the stereo chassis it'll blow the fuse!

Its a two minute job to pull out the stereo and check, and if its not that then at least you'll have ruled out an easy posibility.

Hi Argo!

I am happy to hear that shorts are rare. Everything I have done is to connect the stereo with "continuous power supply" instead of "switched power supply" as Sony manual calls it - simple as it can be. For those who wonder, I have a PDF manual.

The thing is it was done in March last year and it died last night killing the fuse - as you guys blame the audio. "Shame on you, Sony boy!"

I’ll inspect it later.

Doesn't mean because a wiring fault doesn't happen
for 9 months it's not the cause of the problem.
Wires chaff or insulation stretches and poof to earth.
At least the fuse went and the cars still with you,
it could be a smoldering wreck.

Also check the other items fuse 39 protects - ingression
of water or a blown heater motor may have caused it
to blow.

John

John, it is possible you are right, hope not, though.

Many things go over that fuse:
+ 30 Sound system/Connect-Navigator/
Heating-climate control unit/EOBD system diagnostic socket/
Volumetric-antiraising sensors/Alarm siren/
Bluetooth system control unit

The question is: does any of these can make a short without ignition key in the key lock?

Something to add: km numbers on dashboard are blinking when car starts and runs.

borislavdj said:

Something to add: km numbers on dashboard are blinking when car starts and runs.

Click to expand...

That's the body computer saying it's lost communication with something on the CAN network.

Could be a clue if you get fault codes read :chin:

Should rule out the radio though as the Sony can't be connected to CAN network (at least I hope it isn't )

EDIT: with a fuse blown I suspect that may be normal.

yep climate would def be on the CAN and with it out...

borislavdj said:

The question is: does any of these can make a short without ignition key in the key lock?

Something to add: km numbers on dashboard are blinking when car starts and runs.

Click to expand...

A permanently switched live stereo could cause a fuse to blow when the key wasn't in the ignition! The key to this could be the fact you say it blows even without a key in the ignition!

As for the CAN "blink" - it could mean that climate does not "respond" as it is off because of dead fuse?

@ Stiloboy - a have mentioned at the beginning the "key out of the lock" fact.

Now, I’ll check the stereo soon and report back tomorrow.

Thank you, all.

Nope! Stereo is out and another fuse is burned.
Out of fuses now!

I have called a guy here (car mechanic and electrician) who said it is probably heating/cooling fan electrics. He said that happens to Stilos.
Have to wait several days to fix it. Windshield gets foggy from passengers breath and its chilly here in Serbia now. Perfect timing for a such problem to appear.

Since Argo said that shorts are rare, I am a bit concerned about whole thing. Wish me luck.

borislavdj said:

I have called a guy here (car mechanic and electrician) who said it is probably heating/cooling fan electrics. He said that happens to Stilos.
Have to wait several days to fix it. Windshield gets foggy from passengers breath and its chilly here in Serbia now. Perfect timing for a such problem to appear.

Since Argo said that shorts are rare, I am a bit concerned about whole thing. Wish me luck.

Click to expand...

Problems with the heating/cooling fan are indeed fairly common (they just stop working due to a fault with motor control module) but never heard of one blowing a fuse - but there's always a first time.

Time to get the circuit diagram out I guess

Maybe you could show them to Deckchair5 - :worship: - Man with the plan, as always.

Showing them to me ... now that is something else. We have a saying here concerning if one is looking at something he couldn't understand: Why are U staring at that like a calf to a spotty door.

It seems like I have forgotten something very important.
In August this year, while on the vacation, a parking ticket (some7x14 cm big made from paper like magazine cover) slided from the dashboard (in front of the passenger seat) under the windshield!
There is some space, several millimeters and there was no way that I could remove it. I repeat, not in the "hole" made for air to flow under the windshield but directly at the gap under the glass.

And I have forgotten about it! How stupid. :bang:

Now, its possible that some moisture from the air did soften the paper (or not) and that airflow brought the paper (or the pieces) to the fan and ... you know the rest!

What do you think? Is it possible for me to check the matter or should I wait for the end of the week to drive the car to the service?

Thanx.

OK, thanks, that will do.

But one question: I don't mind the paper being there if it cant do any harm. Is it possible that it can get close to anything "back there" and make a mess by stopping the fan or something similar that can cause my problem - short I get on the fuse?

If it's in the place described then it should do no harm at all


...but you never know what you might find

Yeah, its there. Fine, I will not mention that in service now. Thanks Argo.