How to Change Fuses in a Car: 6 Easy Replacement Steps (2024)

Table of Contents
Locating and Diagnosing Fuse Removal and Replacement Expert Q&A Video Tips Warnings You Might Also Like Expert Interview References About This Article Reader Success Stories Did this article help you?
  • Categories
  • Cars
  • Car Maintenance and Repair

Download Article

Diagnose and fix a broken fuse in your car’s electronics

Explore this Article

methods

1Locating and Diagnosing

2Fuse Removal and Replacement

Other Sections

Video

Tips and Warnings

Related Articles

Expert Interview

References

Co-authored byJason Shackelford

Last Updated: January 5, 2024References

Download Article

Learn how to quickly and safely change the fuses in your car and get back on the road without letting a dealership or mechanic get the best of you.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Locating and Diagnosing

Download Article

  1. 1

    Make sure it's a fuse issue. When one circuit has too much electricity flowing through it, the fuse blows to prevent serious damage and even fire. The best way of knowing if a fuse has blown, is if an electric component instantly stops working i.e. window stops while rolling up or down, radio stops workings, or all of the dash lights go out at once. If an electric component has been slowly getting worse, it is not likely a fuse but it is still good to check the fuses regularly.[1]

  2. 2

    Find the fuse panel.[2] Theowner's manual will tell wherethe vehicle's fuse panel is. Most models situate the fuse panel on the driver's side of the dashboard and under the steering wheel, but location varies from vehicle to vehicle. Remove the fuse panel's cover;there will beseveral different color-coded fuses plugged in. These colors, along with the numbers stamped on the fuses, indicate different amperage ratings. On the backside of the fuse panel there will be a diagram that shows which fuse corresponds with which electrical component. If the owner's manual is unavailable, try contacting a dealership for the location or a simple internet search can provide enough information to locate the fuse panel and specific fuses.[3]

    Advertisem*nt

  3. 3

    Try to test fuses before removing. Once the fuse panel is located, remove the cover and locate the fuse puller, most vehicles come with a small fuse puller but not all will have one. Before removing any fuses, it is possible to test a fuse before removing it, this requires either a continuity test light, or a multi-meter / ohm meter.[4]

  4. 4

    Test the suspect fuses. To test a fuse without removing it, using the two probes of either the test light or multi-meter, touch the two small metal tabs located on the top of the fuse. These tabs can be tricky to connect to, but once sure that the probes are making contact, if the fuse has continuity (test light lights up) or has a resistance reading (may read 0 or 0.001milli-ohm) then the fuse is good. If these tools are unavailable, simply use the fuse puller that was in the fuse panel, or a small pair of pliers, or just bare fingers to remove and visually inspect any fuses. If the fuse is bad, it needs to be replaced.[5]

    5. Advertisem*nt

  1. 1

    When replacing a fuse you must use a fuse that has the same amperage rating. Use the fuse panel diagram, the numbered color-coded fuses and the owner's manual to help you determine the correct amperage for your new fuse.Once you have the right fuse gently push it into the correct slot, make sure it's completely installed, and then put the fuse panel back on the car.[6]

  2. 2

    Check the circuit. Once you are done replacing the fuse, turn the ignition and check to see if the circuit giving you trouble is working correctly. If it is working, chances are you just had a temporary surge that blew the fuse. If that's the case, then you just solved the problem.[7]

    3. Advertisem*nt

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

  • Question

    What are the reasons why my car's service light engine is on?

    Jason Shackelford
    Auto Technician

    Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience.

    Jason Shackelford

    Auto Technician

    Expert Answer

    The illumination of a service engine light typically occurs due to a variety of factors, with the most prevalent culprits being a loosely secured gas cap, insufficient fluid levels, malfunctioning sensors, or the presence of other non-critical issues within the vehicle's system. If you've checked everything and the light is still on, you can bring your car to the nearest car repair shop for a scan to properly diagnose the problem.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 0Helpful 0

  • Question

    Can I remove a fuse and start the car to determine what purpose the fuse serves?

    How to Change Fuses in a Car: 6 Easy Replacement Steps (13)

    Aksh*t Sharma

    Community Answer

    It is most likely written on the fuse box, and is 100% written in the owner's manual, so you don't need to do that.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 3Helpful 6

  • Question

    Do I need to reconnect the battery before replacing fuses?

    Logic Johnson Lafontaine

    Top Answerer

    Yes, it's impossible to check if the fuse is working without having battery power.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 5Helpful 5

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

      Advertisem*nt

      Video

      Tips

      • Repeatedly replacing the same fuse means there is an underlying issue in that system of the vehicle, this will likely require further electrical diagnosing or a trip to a mechanic.

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      Submit a Tip

      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

      Submit

      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Advertisem*nt

      Warnings

      • If you use the wrong amperage fuse, you could cause much worse damage to your vehicle than just a blown fuse.

        Thanks

        Helpful10Not Helpful1

      • DO NOT attempt to diagnose or change fuses with the vehicle running or with the key in the ignition.

        Thanks

        Helpful13Not Helpful3

      • Be careful when removing any trim pieces or access panels to get to the fuse panel as these can break.

        Thanks

        Helpful4Not Helpful8

      Advertisem*nt

      You Might Also Like

      How toFix Dashboard Lights That Won't LightHow toChange an Electric Fuse
      How toTest a Fuse With a MultimeterHow to Set and Use a Torque WrenchHow toLoosen Lug NutsHow to Connect Jumper Cables to a Dead CarHow toAdd Oil to a Hydraulic JackHow toCalibrate a Torque WrenchHow toUse Jack StandsHow toClean Battery TerminalsHow toRemove Lug Nuts and TiresHow toChange an AlternatorHow toCheck FusesHow toClean an Automotive Paint Gun

      Advertisem*nt

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about car maintenance and repair, check out our in-depth interview with Jason Shackelford.

      About This Article

      How to Change Fuses in a Car: 6 Easy Replacement Steps (28)

      Co-authored by:

      Jason Shackelford

      Auto Technician

      This article was co-authored by Jason Shackelford. Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. This article has been viewed 84,030 times.

      63 votes - 74%

      Co-authors: 11

      Updated: January 5, 2024

      Views:84,030

      Categories: Car Maintenance and Repair | Automotive Tools

      • Print
      • Send fan mail to authors

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 84,030 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • How to Change Fuses in a Car: 6 Easy Replacement Steps (29)

        Anonymous

        Jan 12, 2017

        "Resolved my fuse issue! Thanks!"

      Did this article help you?

      How to Change Fuses in a Car: 6 Easy Replacement Steps (30)

      Advertisem*nt

      How to Change Fuses in a Car: 6 Easy Replacement Steps (2024)
      Top Articles
      Hln Near Me
      Cost of Living in New York
      hartford free stuff - craigslist
      Balmorhea Fishing Resort & Rv Spaces
      Christine Paduch Howell Nj
      Christmas Ideas In Texas 2024: Unforgettable Holiday Experiences - Christmas Greetings Card 2024
      Toro Mx5050 Drive Belt Diagram
      P2C Guilford County
      Craigs Tampa
      Celebrity Couples Who Have Been Together For 15 Years Or Longer
      Best Modular Kayak Review - Top 6 Options To Consider In 2024
      Best Modular Kayak Reviews 2024: [Full Buyers Guide]
      Latest Posts
      ‘You have earned today’: UCLA’s class of 2024 gets the commencement it always deserved
      Paul Mccombs Nashville
      Article information

      Author: Jerrold Considine

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5635

      Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

      Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Jerrold Considine

      Birthday: 1993-11-03

      Address: Suite 447 3463 Marybelle Circles, New Marlin, AL 20765

      Phone: +5816749283868

      Job: Sales Executive

      Hobby: Air sports, Sand art, Electronics, LARPing, Baseball, Book restoration, Puzzles

      Introduction: My name is Jerrold Considine, I am a combative, cheerful, encouraging, happy, enthusiastic, funny, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.