heater problem

[my70chevyc10]

just found out the wire coming from the back of fuse box is broke at the box. is it possible to run a wire stright from battery with an inline fuse to the switch and not have it burn down my truck.

[swamp rat]

Getting cold?? I beleve the power wire on the heater now is a switched power wire so it only has power with the key on, if you wire direct to battery it will have power all the time. It shouldn't be a problem tho as long as the fuse you use is the same amp rating as in the heaterfuse in the fuse block. I would check for an additional accessory switched terminal in the fuseblock tho and use it instead of the battery if possible.

If you post this in the electrical section someone may even be able to tell you how to repair and reattach the wire to the backside of the fuseblock..

[68C10HotRod]

Agree with Swap Rat on picking an ign powered blade in the fuse block if you can. Just discovered a similar problem with mine only didn't track it down to which wire from the heater harness. Ran a fused line from the box to toggle switch in the cig location & then to blower motor. It's crude but def/htr on/off is better than NOTHING.

On fixing the OEM, you should be able to remove the fuse block & the dark brown wire running to the heater switch/harness with some effort. The connectors can usually be removed with a very small screwdriver holding a little tab down & pulling back on the wire. Get new connectors & wire to put it all back together. I just wanted something quick for now.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 68C10HotRod

On fixing the OEM, you should be able to remove the fuse block & the dark brown wire running to the heater switch/harness with some effort. The connectors can usually be removed with a very small screwdriver holding a little tab down & pulling back on the wire. Get new connectors & wire to put it all back together. I just wanted something quick for now.

in over 20 years of owning this truck i have never pulled the fuse block, i assumed it would be about like any other electrical connector in a plug but i didn't want to post bad advice..

[68C10HotRod]

I used to have a 96 Impala SS that I pulled the fuse block on to ADD some circuits this way. It was easier to lay on my back in there after removing the driver seat that's for sure. Overall, not easy to do BUT all the wiring looked stock & all I had to do was find a few open spots on the block. Plug in the new fuse when done & it worked great. NAPA had the funky little connectors that I needed. The BB I frequented for that car had some of the parts #s & such so the research was much easier.