Is this a fuseable link? If so how screwed am I? As you can see it’s no longer attached. What are my options? Will the car run without it for a while?
Welcome!
I think you are going to have to give us a bit more information. What year Cougar is this and is it an XR7 or standard? What stopped working? Can you give us a better idea where we are looking?
That looks like the lead to the ACC back-side of the fuse box that has broken off from the metal plate where the fuse clips are riveted. If so, you’ll not have any ACC fused power anywhere (e.g. backup lights, radio, heater, etc.)
70 base. 351 4 speed. It is the lead to the base riveted on the back of the fuse block. What can I do? Any “easy” fixes?
You can get a wiring pigtail to the fuse block, replacing the broken lead, and splice it to your wire.
WCCC carry those?
I doubt it very much. That fuse clip assembly is a bear to remove/replace, basically you have to remove almost every other fuse clip to access it. I’ve had to do it several times, but I have several fuse boxes available to cannibalize. Once the assembly is out, then you have to splice the wire pigtail into your wire and re-insert the fuse clip assembly.
No possible attempt at a solder or other type of attachment? I’m working upside down in the car. I didn’t want to take out the dash. This all started with a power booster replacement. Don’t ask how we got here cause I can’t explain it except to say ignorance!!
I had a similar problem but my was even worse as someone hacked it up good.
I ended up cutting all the wires to the block and soldered new wires to it.
Worked really well.
I did have the advantage to have the cowl removed at the time so access was a breeze.
You’ll have to clean the metal of course.
Afterwards I filled the back of the fuse block with hot melt glue to protect from shorting.
I would solder it. If the ring terminal broke at the shank, then just solder a new ring terminal on the end of the wire. Open up the hole in the ring terminal to fit around the rivet head. Remove any oxidization with a stiff wire brush. Tin the area around the head of the rivet and then tin the ring terminal. Hold the ring terminal in place over the rivet and apply heat to melt the solder and bond the two parts.
Yes WCCC has the pigtail and it would come with a clean usable fuse clips. I find the clips come out of the fuse block with some hassle but with a little patience it’s not to bad. With some leads you have to work two or more clips out. Once out they will be easy to splice the wire, it will come with about a six inch lead and then it will just clip back in the block. We have many fuse blocks with the leads, and we sell just the blocks so I remove the wires frequently. Maybe cause I do them often it comes easier.
Can you send me the part # with the pigtail? Thank you
Sorry to take so long to reply, WCCC lists the fuse box wires as a package of all the wires. Part #15766. You might call or E-mail them for just the one wire.