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05monacoer · 10-14-2011, 07:57 AM

We have a 2007 Saturn Vue toad and instructions call for pulling the ignition fuse before towing. Can someone tell me the purpose of this?... And the risk of not doing it? Seems unnecessary... and it is a little inconvenient. Thanks... RB

jacmat · 10-14-2011, 08:23 AM

On most GM cars or SUV's you have to pull the fuses, otherwise your battery will be dead within 3 or 4 hours.

To avoid pulling the fuses, you can have a technician install a switch that will cut power from those fuses.

danes-on-tour · 10-14-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacmat

To avoid pulling the fuses, you can have a technician install a switch that will cut power from those fuses.

We have a 2007 Saturn Vue and for the first year we did remove the fuse every time the Saturn was on tow. Then we visited an auto electrician who, in about 20 minutes, installed a switch, and now it only takes 1 second to do what would previously take us a lot longer and would get our hands dirty.

If you position the switch out of sight it will also work as theft protection. It's a "no brainer" - go and have it done.

336muffin · 10-14-2011, 02:35 PM

We have a 2009 Vue and have to pull a 2amp fuse also. I was wondering why! On a trip back to the house I decided not to pull it and see what happened. On the way home at sundown I noticed the automatic headlights had came on! Pulled into a rest area and pulled the fuse!

KenM · 10-14-2011, 06:22 PM

Go to this site. They have a an attachment that installs so you don't have to pull fuse.
RV parts, accessories and supplies, rv, rv accessories

336muffin · 10-14-2011, 06:34 PM

That's Rob Lowe, met him and his wife at the Tom Johnson's BBQ week back in September and bought the device you mentioned and love it. We camped together, he's a great guy!

firedoc · 10-14-2011, 08:54 PM

Have self installed the switch from RV Parts Plus. Works great and was easy to install. We have 08Vue

RV'nOldTimer · 10-14-2011, 10:56 PM

Let me tell you my fuse pulling story.

We (wife, sister in law and I) made an extended trip to Newfoundland/Labrador this past summer and planned on a three day rest-over in New Hampshire in the Mt. Washington area. With my Malibu toad I am supposed to pull the ignition fuse to avoid running the battery down. On shorter trips, I had discovered that the car would run fine without replacing the fuse, so while en route, we used the car without the fuse re-installed without issues. In the Mt. Washington area we continued this practice. We decided to drive up Mt. Washington despite the weather at the peak -- fog, rain, winds at 70+ mph and 42* F. so away we went. At the summit, we got soaked, froze and were buffeted by the wind. After hustling back to the car and recovering our wits, I turned the ignition key and -- nothing.

I spent about an hour checking everything I could think of, realizing that our road service was probably useless there. Battery was fine, electrical items functioned normally. A dash light gave a clue that the anti-theft system was preventing the start system from operating. I tried the remote start as a work around and the car started -- but the gear shifter was locked in park.

My non mechanic wife asked at this point, "Didn't you pull a fuse for towing" and I said "Yes, but it doesn't have anything to do with the starter but I'm out of other ideas so lets put it back in." So I did and tried the starter. VOOOOMMMM.

JT

paz · 10-15-2011, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05monacoer

We have a 2007 Saturn Vue toad and instructions call for pulling the ignition fuse before towing. Can someone tell me the purpose of this?... And the risk of not doing it? Seems unnecessary... and it is a little inconvenient. Thanks... RB

We have an '06 Vue (same as the '07), and I installed my own switch on the dash (got a switch and in-line fuse holder at Walmart) so I don't have to pull the fuse. Once I forgot to flip the switch, and the battery did go dead.

The fuse you pull in the '04 to '07 Vue is 30 amps (as opposed to only 2 amps for later models), so if you're going to install a switch, just make sure the switch, wiring and in-line fuse are all rated for 30 amps.

H. Miller · 10-15-2011, 06:01 AM

On our '04 Vue it also prevents the accumulation of "towed mileage" on the toad... We made our own switch disconnect which took an hour. With a "kit" it should require less than 30 minutes with basic tools.

05monacoer · 10-15-2011, 09:48 AM

Thanks guys... Looks like I'll be installing a switch real soon!
Happy motoring... RB

JesseJ1826 · 10-15-2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H. Miller

On our '04 Vue it also prevents the accumulation of "towed mileage" on the toad... We made our own switch disconnect which took an hour. With a "kit" it should require less than 30 minutes with basic tools.

I pull the fuse on my 06 Vue on long trips but for trips of an hour or less I don't bother. My Vue doesn't accumulate mileage either way, fuse in or out. Seems off that the 04 would be different.

rwelchsd · 10-16-2011, 01:13 PM

We installed the inline switch day one and it is so easy. It is my understanding that it keeps things from running down your battery while traveling like the radio and lights. All we do is hook-up the brake buddy flip the switch put it in neutral and away we go.