Drain holes

Last update:

03/14/2004

Cleaning the drainage channels and protecting the fuseboxes from water ingress

We have had many reports of Scorpios not starting or exhibiting erratic behaviour which has eventually been tracked down to water ingress into the fuse and relay boxes. The Scorpio has a main and auxilliary fusebox, mounted at both sides of the area below the windscreen. Although both boxes have a clip on lid with foam seal, neither are very effective at keeping out water.

The fusebox is constructed from layers of coppersheet separated by Mylar sheets and water getting inside starts rapid corrosion and shorting. One RAC patrolman reported that he had several Scorpios 'fizzing' from their fuseboxes.

The worst culprit is where the battery cover has been lost - this is absolutely essential on every Scorpio and a replacement must be fitted immediately if it's missing an remedial action taken to remove any moisture from the fusebox - they are not expensive (approx £8+vat) and can be ordered from any Ford Main Dealer. Without it, water falls from the opened bonnet directly onto the fusebox.


This is battery cover that MUST be fitted to every Scorpio. If it's missing get a replacement from your Ford Main Dealer as soon as possible and check for water in the fusebox and get it dried out.
Without the cover you can see that water soaks the Auxilliary Fusebox - this will be the start of major (and expensive) problems shortly.
Here you can see the problem with the Main fusebox which does not have a secondary cover - water drops from the opened bonnet directly onto it. Make sure the lid is firmly clipped in place and check the drain channels beneath it.
The Main Fusebox shown from the front. The lid must be a tight and secure fit.
With the lid removed you can see the complexity and number of relays and fuses. It's a complicated construction comprising sheets of copper separated by Mylar insulators. Damp and water can ruin it very quickly.
Drain holes are located beneath the box and should be cleaned on a regular basis. Most of the debris is from leaves etc that have washed in from the bonnet.
Access to the drain holes is from the front. There is a similar one located on the other side of the car for the Auxilliary Fusebox too! Peel back the insulation and pull out the muck. A small amount of water (kept away from the box itself) can be used to clean it and check that water can run away freely.