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
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.
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