: > Tim McNamara wrote:
:
: I spun all of then in their holders and pulled out #16 for closer
: examination, since the manual indicated that fuse is involved with a
: number of these circuits. There was no obvious oxidation or tarnish on
: the ends of the fuse or the holder contacts.


Hi Tim,

Re the fuses, if they are the usual ceramic type with grey end contacts I
would remove all of them. Thoroughly clean the fusebox contact strips
using fine sand paper, then spray them with electrical contact cleaner and
coat them with dielectric grease. Get new ceramic fuses with brass/copper
end contacts. My local Volvo dealer did not stock them but an outfit
catering to VW's did. Your fuses should then be reliably trouble-free for a
long time.

The problem with the original setup is the two dissimilar metals in contact
(Copper and Zinc). This can cause "Galvanic action" and the resulting
corrosion.

Good Luck.
Andy I. ('58 445 "Duett"; '65 122S wagon; '67 121 2-door direct
import; '74 145 wagon; '74 142; '86 240 wagon; '93 240 "Classic" wagon; '97
850 AWD wagon)