COOL CATS

Fuse Panel Layout

If your Cougar did not come with an owner’s manual, then you don’t have what could be some of the most important information about your car: the layout of the fuse panel. Short of buying an expensive shop manual, here’s a complete layout of the fuse panel for all 1983-88 Cougars (base GS, LS, XR7). This chart also works for Thunderbird (non-turbo) models as well.

The fuse panel is located underneath the dash, to the left of the steering column, next to the emergency brake pedal. You need to remove the underdash insulation to access some parts of the fuse panel.

NOTE: This chart may differ slightly from year to year.


 

Fuse Panel

1983-88 Cougar Fuse Panel
1983-88 Cougar Fuse Panel
FUSE NO.
AMPERAGE / COLOR
FUNCTION
1
15A
Lt. Blue
Stop Lamps, Hazard Warning Lamps, Speed Control, Cornering Lamp Relays
2
6A – CB
Windshield Wiper/Washer Pump
3
 
[ Spare – Not Used ]
4
15A
Lt. Blue
Taillamps, Parking Lamps, Side Marker Lamps, Instrument Cluster Illumination, License Lamps, A/C and Heater Illumination, Radio Illumination, Digital Clock Illumination, Autolamp Relay
5
15A
Lt. Blue
Turn Signal Lamps, Electronic Day/Night Mirror, Lighted Vanity Mirrors*, Backup Lamps, Illuminated Entry, Keyless Entry, Cornering Lamps
6
20A
Yellow
Rear Defrost Timer, Chime, Back-Up Lamps, Cornering Lamps, Rear Reading Lamps, Trunklid Release, Digital Clock Display, Illuminated Entry, Anti-Theft Module, Turbo Buzzer
7
15A
Lt. Blue
Fog Lamps (Turbo Only)
8
15A
Lt. Blue
Courtesy Lamps, Key Warning Buzzer, Illuminated Entry Module, Glove Box Lamp, Door Lock Relays, Radio Memory, Cluster Memory, Outside Mirrors, Tripminder Module, Analog Clock, Anti-Theft Relay
9
30A
Lt. Green
A/C Heater Blower Motor
10
20A – CB
Horn, Cigar Lighter, Fuel Filler Door, Flash-to-Pass, Speed Control
11
20A
Yellow
Radio, Tape Player, Premium Sound Amp, Power Antenna, Graphic Equalizer
12
20A – CB
Power Seats, Power Locks, Keyless Entry
13
5A
Tan
Instrument Cluster Illumination, Radio, Climate Control
14
20A – CB
Power Windows, Power Moonroof
15
10A
Red
Taillamps, Rear Side Markers, License Lamps, Electoluminescent Coach Lamps
16
4A
Yellow
Electronic ATC
17
15A
Lt. Blue
Electronic Cluster, Tripminder Display, Fuel Gauge (non-electronic cluster), A/C Clutch, Speed Control Module, Graphic Warning Display Module, Electronic Blower Speed Controller
18
10A
Red
Warning Indicator Lamps, Autolamp System, Throttle Position Sensor, Low Fuel Module, Dual Timer Chime, Tachometer, Washer Fluid Level Indicator

CB = Circuit Breaker
* NOTE: The lighted vanity mirrors also use a 2A fuse in each visor assembly.

Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers are the silver shiny boxes found in the fuse panel. Circuit breakers are used on high power drain circuits on which one wouldn’t necessarily want to have a fuse. When a circuit overload exceeds the rated current amperage, they will trip open, similar to how your typical household circuit breaker will work. Some circuit breakers are the cycling type, in which the power will come back through the breaker after a certain amount of time. However, the circuit breaker will continue to open and close until the problem is fixed. These are used on the headlamps and the windshield wipers. With the non-cycling type, the circuit breaker will stay tripped open until the problem is resolved; these are used on the power windows and power door locks. The following chart lists circuit breakers.

1983-88 Mercury Cougar Circuit Breakers
1983-88 Mercury Cougar Circuit Breakers
CIRCUIT
CIRCUIT PROTECTION RATING
LOCATION
Windshield Wiper/Washer
6A
Fuse Panel (position 2)
Headlights, High Beam Indicator
22A
Part of Headlight Switch (requires new switch)
Power Door Locks, Power Seats
20A
Fuse Panel (position 12)
Power Windows
20A
Fuse Panel (position 14)
Horn, Lighter, Flash-to-Pass
20A
Fuse Panel (position 10)
 

Fusible Links

These are circuit protection devices incorporated into the wiring harness for some select electrical equipment, such as the alternator, and are typically found around the starter solenoid area. Just like fuses, these will blow open when the circuit load exceeds the amperage rating but unlike a circuit breaker, it will not reset itself and must be replaced. You can buy new ones at your local parts store or through the Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer. You MUST replace the blown fusible link with the same gauge new fusible link!

The following chart lists fusible links.

CIRCUIT
CIRCUIT PROTECTION RATING
LOCATION
Lamp Feed
16 GA
Near Starter Solenoid
Ignition Feed
16 GA
Near Starter Solenoid
Charging Circuit
14 GA
Near Starter Solenoid
Heated Backlite
(Rear Defroster)
16 GA
Near Starter Solenoid
Engine Compartment Lamp
20 GA
Near Pass. Side Strut Tower

Some common colors for fusible links, and their corresponding gauge wires:

  • 12 Gauge – Grey
  • 14 Gauge – Dark Green
  • 16 Gauge – Black
  • 18 Gauge – Brown