Audis are renowned for being innovative vehicles full of advanced technology. However, like all other vehicles, your Audi needs a functioning fuse box to keep all its technology running. Therefore, if your Audi’s fuse box suffers from water damage, it can seriously impair your vehicle’s functioning. If your vehicle’s fuse box has gotten waterlogged, below are some important tips on how to get it up and running again.
Understanding the Fuse Box
The main purpose of the fuse box is to prevent your Audi’s electrical system from overheating. In order to do this, it routes each of your vehicle’s wires through a fuse, which will disconnect the circuit if the wire takes on too much power.
Because the fuse box centers all of your vehicle’s wires in one place, water damage to this component can put the entire electrical system out of commission. Typically, the casing around this component is very water-resistant and can prevent damage from standard moisture exposure, such as that from rain or car washes. However, if the casing cracks or the vehicle is submerged in water, then the fuse box will likely become waterlogged.
Symptoms of a Waterlogged Fuse Box
Since a waterlogged fuse box can affect the entirety of your Audi’s electrical system, there are several symptoms you can look for to determine if your vehicle’s fuse box has suffered water damage. First, because water is such an excellent conductor of electricity, it can increase electricity current in your vehicle’s wires, leading to an overheated electrical system and blown fuses.
In turn, these blown fuses will cause specific parts of your vehicle to stop working. Depending on the location of the water damage and the blown fuses, your Audi’s entertainment system, lights, transmission, or engine may stop working. In fact, if the damage is severe enough, your vehicle may not start at all. If you notice that any of these systems are behaving unusually, you should consider examining the fuse box for blown fuses and corresponding water damage.
Another potential symptom of a waterlogged fuse box is a clogged plenum tray. The plenum tray is a component under your Audi’s hood that collects and drains water out of the engine. The plenum tray is designed to withstand heavy rain, but it can become clogged by leaves, dirt, and other debris. When this happens, water leaks out of the plenum tray and into both the vehicle’s engine and its cabin. Therefore, if you notice water seeping into your Audi just beneath the HVAC blower, you should check the rest of the engine, especially the fuse box, for water damage caused by a clogged plenum tray.
Known water exposure is another excellent reason to consider checking the fuse box for water damage. In other words, if your vehicle’s engine has recently been submerged in water, then you should definitely check the fuse box for water damage, as there is a considerable chance that the casing surrounding it failed. Doing this earlier rather than later will help prevent more significant issues, such as the blown fuses mentioned above, from developing.
Fixing the Problem
The best way to solve the problem of a waterlogged fuse box is by preventing it in the first place. In order to do this, you should regularly take your Audi to a professional mechanic for routine maintenance. Additionally, you should avoid driving through flooded roads, as the water may be unexpectedly deep and may submerge your vehicle’s fuse box.
Unfortunately, a waterlogged fuse box may not always be avoidable. If your vehicle’s fuse box is subjected to water damage, you should not attempt to solve the problem on your own. If a waterlogged fuse box is handled incorrectly, the problem can easily become much worse, and you may even end up electrocuting yourself. Therefore, if you suspect that your Audi’s fuse box has become waterlogged, you should take your vehicle to an experienced technician as soon as possible.
Turning Wrenches Will Help
If your Audi has suffered from water damage, 
you’ll want a professional to help you get it back on the road as soon as possible. Here at Turning Wrenches, our auto experts have provided top-notch service to customers in Louisville, KY for several decades. European cars are our passion and we’d love to help you keep yours in excellent shape, so give us a call or visit our shop today.