glow plug fuse

[Burnt Monkey]

Whats the consensus on the wierd glow plug fuse (not the relay) for the plugs on a 89 Jetta w/ 1.6NA? I mean - I broke the think trying to take it apart to clean it and decided that I'd just scrap it and wire the two wires together. Car starts, but am I risking the death of the glow plugs (or the electrical system in general) by by-passing it? Thanks, BM

[rebuilder]

The biggest problem that I have had with the fuse (mounted on the firewall) is that the flat metal element cracks due to vibration after about 80,000 miles driving. I carry a few spare fuses in the glove compartment.

I have never blown a fuse and that with over 1,000,000 miles driven on a series of vw diesels. So I can't say the fuse is essential but it makes sense that it is there because any fault in the relay could do a meltdown on harness wiring if one of the glow plugs faulted to ground or a wire can off.

[stopping]

Would it not be a fire hazard? If the relay sticks on then the glows will keep drawing energy untill something gives. Most likely it would be the glow plugs overheating that would end the flow of power. That is lots of power! And I was thinking the wires (depending on your wires) may melt and short to the body. Like any fuse it's there to prevent damage.

[Burnt Monkey]

Rebuilder - where do you get the fuses? I've search around and not found any. BM

[rebuilder]

I get them from my local vw dealer. They don't cost much and I don't use that many.

[libbybapa]

Lifeboats weren't really necessary on the Titanic.

Andrew

[Fatmobile]

That fuse is one of the only things I can go to the dealer for.... and actually expect them to have it in stock.
About $1.40.