Fuse box

[Craig m]

Did I see on here a replacement fuse box for a Mk 2 Escort that took the twin blade type fuses or did I just imagine it.?

[rwdrs]

There is a thread where Leon describes them being used.
I don't know if in the meantime there is actually a blade type fuse box that you can buy off the shelf for the mk2.


I bought a cheap blade fuse box but never got around to adapting it, I was very squeamish about chopping the rubber blocks off OR trying to get hold of sturdy bullet connectors to push into the rubber terminal blocks and connect up to the fuse box.
The other problem is that most of the proprietry fuse boxes connect left-to-right, whereas on the Escort (mk1&2), the connection goes through 90 degress.

[Craig m]

Thank you for the informative reply.

[rwdrs]

Hi there Craig, you got me thinking about it again and one way of fitting a blade type fuse box 'might' be to repurpose a mk1 or mk2 Fiesta unit. The mk1 unit has the Escort type bullet fuses and the mk2 has the blade type.


I have two solutions

1. Use a Mk1 Fiesta fuse box, as it has the offset holes like the Escort fuse box (so that you cannot fit the fuse box the wrong way around). You would need to strip out the old contacts for the bullet fuses, then buy and insert blade (fuse) connectors into the shell of the old mk1 fuse box. Last job would be to run wires from the new FB connectors to the Escort's rubber blocks. Job done.
2. Use a mk2 Fiesta fuse box, which has blade fuses fitted as standard. A used one with wires attached (as chopped out of a loom) would make sense as it has the wires still cimped on from the factory. Just rim off the extraneous plastic and and cut the fuse box down to suit, i.e. it has 14 fuses, so 7 fuse positions would need to be cut out and the half with the hole for screwing to the body glued back on. Last job would be to run wires from the new FB connectors to the Escort's rubber blocks. Job done.

Of course you could do neither and buy a replacement Escort fuse box

[rwdrs]

Do you have any accessories, e.g. fog light etc.?
It might be easier to take the feed off the wires coming out (inside the car) for the accessory if you use a Fiesta fuse box. I suppose it depends on whether you need to keep a standard look or not…
Mind you that's going to be difficult if you convert the fuses to blade-type fuses anyway. You'll probably have to make a couple of jumper wires/pins for the pins that "jumped" in the Escort fuse box too…

[Craig m]

Thank you, definitely something to think over.

Been constantly having to take out the fuses for the lights and rub with sandpaper due to bad connections, not good as last time driving into Mot station.

Thanks again.