Where can I find a Battery/Fuse Panel?

[digi691]

After searching through the threads here I have seen a couple of posts that are similar to my situation. My fiancee's beetle over-heated and previously what I thought were incorrect temp readings. After getting a Haynes manual for her 1998 New Beetle and ripping the front end apart I found out that her radiator fans were unplugged from the fan control module, had a leaking radiator, and the fuse panel above that battery was partly melted around one of the 30 amp fuses. So I replaced the radiator, replaced the thermostat, replaced the fan control module, and I also replaced the radiator fan/temp switch. The only part that I am having a problem getting a hold of is the Battery/Fuse Panel. I've tried calling our local dealership who a pretty unresponsive and since I cannot physically get into the dealership when their parts department is open I am trying to find an alternative. Does anyone know if I can get the Battery/Fuse panel online and/or cheaper than the dealership?

[digi691]

Finally got a hold of the dealership and the part was in-stock for $111.11.

[noR]

ouch.

That's pretty rough for a silly little piece of plastic housing way over-stressed fuses.

[digi691]

I would agree... If anyone has an alternative source for this part please let me know. On the upside I will have these issues fixed along with the front ball joints and tie rod ends for $500 Which is far less than the quote of $2,000 at the local garage.

[noR]

have you tried http://www.worldimpex.com/ ?
or http://www.germanautoparts.com/ ?
or http://www.1stvwparts.com/

You might have to call them if they don't list the item on their website; but I'd try those alternatives.

Please post back w/a value if you find a better deal; just to save someone else from having to check everywhere.

[digi691]

So the list price was $111.11 from the dealer but they actually charge $88. I couldn't find the part online :/

[05yellowbeetle]

I bought mine from 1stvwparts in '04, they were out of stock, it was overnighted to them and then to me (Washington to Florida) and it was still $75+ cheaper than my local dealer.

[digi691]

Just curious what was the reason for your replacement? Dealer told me he had never heard of them melting at the 30 amp fuse.

[noR]

HAH. No, it's very common. Very much so. And a potential fire risk.

If a radiator fan gets excess drag (or something else could contribute, I'm not sure) the fuse ends up generating ALOT of heat. Mine's melted up too; but it still works.

Very common on pre-'01 beetles.

[05yellowbeetle]

My '98 had the melted fuse not long after I bought (2nd owner, it was 4 years old), so my dad moved the wires and everything over to one of the open fuses (no ABS or anything, so it only used 1 slot out of 3). about 2 years later, it did it again, I just replaced the whole thing that time. The funny thing was, it was after one of the '04 hurricanes, we put the car right up next to our back porch for the hurricane, then when we went to move it, the car wouldn't start, dead batttery. Started checked, found that melted again, bought another one. It was over 3 years before I sold the car, no more problems.