fuel tank baffle question

[flkeysdude]

I pulled the fuel baffle on my '97 GS and am awaiting the arrival of a replacement float. Since I already have the unit torn apart, I've decided I'm going to remove the F1 fuse. I'm looking at the excellent sticky by RX951 regarding removing the F1 fuse (and replacing with solder) in the top of the fuel baffle. My question is why are there two (2) openings cut in the baffle ?? It appears that the bottom opening allows access to the fuse, so why is there another cutout immediately above the first ?? Does that serve a purpose and if so...what...???

Thanks in advance !

 

[JJinSC]

I believe the author of that sticky had to explore on his first attempt to find the fuse. This is why the extra opening exist. you only need to make the hole that the fuse was found in.

 

[flkeysdude]

I used a hack saw to cut 2 parallel slots into the baffle. (The bottom hole as illustrated in the sticky, not the top hole). I then took a Stanley Utility (razor knife) and with a perpendicular cut, joined the two parallel cuts. I did this so that I removed a minimal amount of material (to reduce the size and effort of the repair). The baffle tube material is a VERY tough nylon type material. Now I had a "door" that I could fold back, exposing the circuit board. "SURPRISE...no fuse..."!!! What the****??? Sooooooo...thinking that I might have cut the wrong side, I turned (radially) the baffle and did the same thing on the opposite side. Guess what...??? SURPRISE...no fuse...!!! I looked this thing up and down and on both sides...no fuse. So, now I'm REALLY cranky...I had enough of this crap and I simply "welded" the holes back up, changed the float, cleaned the bottom filter and put the d*mn thing back in the gas tank... :rant:

 

[jhjesse]

Did you realize that the "fuse" that you were looking for is very, very small, maybe jut a bit larger that the head of a pin.

 

[flkeysdude]

Yes...that's why I was surprised not to find it. I realize it simply acts as the "weak link" and completes a circuit. In addition, there were no markings to indicate "F1". There were a bunch of electronic components but nothing to indicate a solderable fuse...