Blown Fuse = No Fuse?

I have a few general electronic questions that I was hoping you guys may be able to help me with.


I am trying to repair an airbag computer in my car. The airbag light icon on the dashboard is flashing a code of 5 1. After some research I discovered that means the main thermal fuse of the airbag computer circuit board has blown.


To check this theory, I took out the airbag computer to examine the circuit board and I used my volt meter to test the thermal fuse. The reading told me that the fuse was indeed blown. I wanted to order online a new fuse to solder in in it's place, so I cut out the blown one (it was resting on a resistor) to examine closely and find the type of fuse.


In the context of an electronic circuit board, is a blown fuse exactly the same as no fuse at all? I mean, did cutting the blown fuse out change anything in the functioning of the device? I was under the impression that either a blown or missing fuse would be the same end result.


The writeup I am following (http://forums.probetalk.com/showthread.php?t=1701278739) tells me that when I put in the new fuse, I need to make sure it is touching the resistor. Otherwise it will not work. I don't know much about electronics, but I am interested in learning about the relationship between a fuse that is touching a resistor. Is the fact that there is no fuse there to touch the resistor significant?