98 Ford Contour ABS light-how to replace fuse

[Frankey222]

Ok here is what you do when the light comes on:

1. remove battery

2. locate 60 amp fuse that is blown ( yellow fuse in bank of three)
you can see the blown one through the window of fuse.)

3. Lift the fuse bank up, will be hard to do because the three fuses are connected to wires under the fuses themmselves. NOTE: you can lift it high enough to place 1/4" socket wrench for a 5/16" socket.

4. loosen screws (2) one on each side of fuse, just enough to lift fuse up and out.

5. Purchase replacement and reverse steps above.

The fuse is for the heater blower and the ABS brakes (FORD %&@) the fuse sometimes blows when the blower is on and then the brakes are applied at the same time. Good luck.

[qyx]

I used your post to replace my blown fuse on my 98 Contour. Thanks. I will add some additional help for new readers.

The fuse bank is held in by a plastic clip at the short side toward the front of the car. You must pull up on the bank with a lot of force to provide room for your socket. After I loosened the bolts (screws) holding the cables, I was unable to pull the fuse out. I had to remove the bolts because the original fuse uses "through holes" and not the open clip down style I got at the parts store. I have photos but don't know how to add them.

A further complication was that It seems that the two bolts are different threads, as I switched them and then was unable to insert the one on the passenger side.

Once I was done, the fan works, but the ABS light is still on. Anyone with an idea why it won't go out?

[baarstad]

Hey, thanks! the two previous posted comments really helped me out.
However, there appear to many variables in the replacement process for the ( abs,blower) fuse-60amp yellow one of three. It does take some effort to lift the 3 fuse bay, and my original equipment fuse came with the "slide out" open connections, whearas the replacement part fuse was closed! Sooo....I did have to completely remove the two bolts/screws on both sides to replace the stubborn fuse. The two screws/bolts ARE NOT the same width one is fatter then the other, so for you others doing this job, remember which screw/bolt goes on which side. After following the above posted advice, it made this job of replaceing the blown fuse MUCH easier.

Also some sidenotes: The ABS light in dash does eventually go off ( as mine did after a day or so ) The small bolts/screws that hold the fuse inplace are unpredictable to unskilled hands, and will fall into the most difficult places if not held in the socket, or fingers. If you live in a ice or snow covered area, your most likely to encounter this blow fuse issue over again, as I was told by various ford/mercury technicians, the reason? the ABS activates often on ice or slick surfaces and most of the time Me or You, have the nice toasty blower going on high keeping us warm and finally keep your blower setting on 1 or 2, when you plan on brakeing on solid ice or packed snow on a weekly or monthly basis ( south and north dakota, minnisota etc)