Hi,
My radio/clock/cigar lighter stopped working on my Mk 6 (N-reg) Escort through the week. The fuse was OK, so today I took the plunge and had a look at the fusebox itself.
When I removed the long multi-connector from the top-left of the fusebox, the problem soon became clear. The pin that should have stayed sticking out of the fusebox decided to come away with the connector itself. A continuity test showed that that was the wire that powers the radio etc.
So...after a bit of head-scratching and a trip to Halfrauds, I fixed it. I removed the red wire from the connector block and connected it via an in-line 15A fuse to the 12V supply on the fusebox, where fuse 29 used to be.
I now have tunes, can charge my phone and know how late I am - but I'm a bit concerned about the state of the fusebox. Some other pins near the one that broke looked a bit corroded. I couldn't see any evidence of water, so I guess they've been getting a bit hot over the years (no, I've not got a "blingin'" sound system!). I gave 'em a wipe with cotton buds and WD40.
Everything else seems to be working, with the exception of the courtesy light - but that was giving me grieff anyway so I'm not too bothered.
But, I suppose at some point something more crucial will stop working...so if I was to get a new fusebox how much would I expect to pay, and are they all fairly similar or do they differ depending on your car's accessories (the fuses that are 'missing' from the current one don't appear to have connections where the fuses would go if I had things like aircon or abs)?
Cheers,
Iain