Can anyone tell me what this fuse does?

[jrdoubleh]

In my search for loose wires I started at the battery, I found this black fuse box that only has one thread of the wire attached to it. So obviously this could be a problem, whether or not it is "the" problem I don't know. But if I knew what the fuse inside was used for I guess I would have a better idea if it could be the reason why the truck is "selective" in starting. Its a 98 ford ranger. I posted an earlier thread about its issues. Thank you in advance. I do have a picture but I have no idea how to insert it into the thread. The guy at the parts store said it was a "linked in" fuse? Whatever that means.

 

[RonD]

I assume its a 4.0l from the post location.

Is this in the engine bay or cab?

passenger or drivers side?

What is the AMP rating of the fuse?
If you can tell

In line fuses are not uncommon so there are a few.
There are also Fusible Links, these are Wires that will burn out(separate) if amps get too high for too long, so like a slow blow fuse.
Fusible Links are rated by wire size not AMPs, so 14 gauge, 18 gauge, etc....

If you look here, at the bottom, Power distribution
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/EDiagrams/index.htm

You may be able to ID the single wire fuse
In the first diagram there are two fusible links for the charging system, 14 gauge

 

[jrdoubleh]

This is on a wire coming either directly from the battery or right near the battery, I went out just now to pull the fuse to see the amp and oddly enough there is no fuse in it at all. So I know that this is not "the problem" since it has run fine without that fuse for 2 years. But I guess it would be nice to know what it was put there for in the first place. And yes its a 4.0L

 

[jrdoubleh]

And I did look at the diagrams but unfortunately I work in the medical field when I do work and for the most part I'm just a mom. The diagram really doesn't mean much to me other than I can see what you are talking about with the two links. I bought a replacement since the wire is basically barely connected but I have no idea what size fuse to put in it if I even need one in there at all. I do have a friend who is a mechanic who could possibly come by sometime in the near future and take a look as well, but the sooner I figure out this problem the better, I can't stand having to loan my vehicle out for my kid to get to school!

 

[adsm08]

Does your fuse look like the one at the left of this pic?

That kind of thing is not original equipment and should not be replaced since it doesn't do anything with no fuse in it.

Problem is probably in the ignition switch, but that is far from a real diagnosis.

 

[jrdoubleh]

Yes it does look like that. And upon closer inspection, the fuse is wired directely into the battery and then continues on to nowhere- the wires are just open connected to nothing. So my next question is what other wires should I check if I am not getting a spark consistently? And where are they located?