Fuses: Locations, Checking, and Replacement
Introduction to Fuses
All the electrical circuits in your car have fuses to protect them from a short circuit or overload. These fuses are located in two fuse boxes.
Interior Fuse Box
The interior fuse box is located underneath the dashboard on the driver's side. To open it, turn the knob as shown [knob]. A diagram illustrates the interior fuse box with a knob mechanism for access.
Under-Hood Fuse Box
The under-hood fuse box is located in the engine compartment next to the battery. To open it, push the tab as shown [tab]. A diagram illustrates the under-hood fuse box with a tab mechanism for access.
Checking and Replacing Fuses
If something electrical in your car stops working, the first thing you should check for is a blown fuse. Determine from the chart on pages 304 and 305, or the diagram on the fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses control that component. Check those fuses first, but check all the fuses before deciding that a blown fuse is not the cause. Replace any blown fuses and check the component's operation.
- Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0). Make sure the headlights and all other accessories are off.
- Remove the cover from the fuse box.
- Check each of the large fuses in the under-hood fuse box by looking through the top at the wire inside. Removing these fuses requires a Phillips-head screwdriver.
- A diagram shows a blown fuse, identified by a broken wire inside the plastic casing, typically rated at 40A-32V.
- Check the smaller fuses in the under-hood fuse box and all the fuses in the interior fuse box by pulling out each fuse with the fuse puller provided in the door of the interior fuse box.
- A diagram shows a fuse puller tool, a plastic device with jaws, being used to extract a fuse from its socket.
Fuse Replacement Guidelines
Look for a burned wire inside the fuse. If it is burned, replace it with one of the spare fuses of the same rating or lower.
If you cannot drive the car without fixing the problem, and you do not have a spare fuse, you can take a fuse of the same rating or a lower rating from one of the other circuits. Make sure you can do without that circuit temporarily (such as the cigarette lighter or radio).
NOTICE: Replacing a fuse with one that has a higher rating greatly increases the chances of damaging the electrical system. If you do not have a replacement fuse with the proper rating for the circuit, install one with a lower rating.
If you replace the blown fuse with a spare fuse that has a lower rating, it might blow out again. This does not indicate anything wrong. Replace the fuse with one of the correct rating as soon as you can.
If the replacement fuse of the same rating blows in a short time, there is probably a serious electrical problem in your car. Leave the blown fuse in that circuit and have your car checked by a qualified mechanic.
If the radio fuse is removed, the audio system will disable itself. The next time you turn on the radio, you will see "Code" in the frequency display. Use the Preset buttons to enter the five-digit code (see page 156).
Under-Hood Fuse Box Details
The following table lists the fuses in the under-hood fuse box:
| No. | Amps. | Circuits Protected | No. | Amps. | Circuits Protected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not Used | 16 | 20 A | Front Fog Light | |
| 2 | 20 A | Stop, Horn | 17 | 20 A | ETS (Electrical Tilt/ Telescope Steering) |
| 3 | 10 A | Hazard | 18 | 15 A | Meter |
| 4 | 20 A | Driver Power Window | 19 | 7.5 A | Back-up, Radio |
| 5 | 15 A | TCS | 20 | 20 A | Interior Lights |
| 6 | 20 A | VSA | 21 | 30 A | Wiper Motor |
| 7 | 20 A | Power Door Lock | 22 | 50 A | Ignition Switch |
| 8 | 20 A | Right Headlight Low | 23 | 40 A | Power Window |
| 9 | 20 A | Left Headlight Low | 24 | 40 A | Heater Motor |
| 10 | 20 A | Cooling Fan | 25 | 120 A | Battery |
| 11 | 10 A | Left Headlight High | 26 | 40 A | VSA Motor |
| 12 | 10 A | Right Headlight High | 27 | 40 A | Rear Window Defogger |
| 13 | 20 A | Condenser Fan | 28 | 50 A | Fuse box |
| 14 | 30 A | Moonroof | |||
| 15 | 30 A | Front Passenger's Power Seat |
A diagram displays the layout of the under-hood fuse box, showing the arrangement and numbering of fuse slots.
Interior Fuse Box Details
The following table lists the fuses in the interior fuse box:
| No. | Amps. | Circuits Protected | No. | Amps. | Circuits Protected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 A | Small Light | 14 | 7.5 A | Starter Signal |
| 2 | Not Used (OP) | 15 | 7.5 A | ACG | |
| 3 | 7.5 A | Rear Window Defogger | 16 | 10 A | ACC Socket |
| 4 | 10 A | Relay, Cooling Fan Relay | 17 | 7.5 A | Power Window MPCS |
| 5 | 20 A | Radio, ACC | 18 | 20 A | Front Right Power Window |
| 6 | 20 A | A/C Clutch, Heated Seat | 19 | 7.5 A | Mirror |
| 7 | 10 A | ECU (PCM) | 20 | 20 A | ECU (Body) |
| 8 | 20 A | SRS | 21 | 20 A | Rear Right Power Window |
| 9 | 20 A | Driver's Power Seat | 22 | 20 A | Fuel Pump |
| 10 | 20 A | Bose Audio System | 23 | 7.5 A | SRS |
| 11 | 10 A | Daytime Running Lights*¹ | 24 | 20 A | Rear Left Power Window |
| 12 | 20 A | Driver's Power Seat | 25 | 30 A | Ignition Coils |
| 13 | 7.5 A | Daytime Running Lights*¹ | 26 | Not Used | |
| 7.5 A | Meter, Moonroof |
*¹: On Canadian models
A diagram displays the layout of the interior fuse box, showing the arrangement and numbering of fuse slots.
