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How to Fix a Faulty Car Fuse

Fuses protect your car from electrical short circuits and power overloads that can damage equipment or start a fire. Often, a fuse will blow due to a momentary overload, and replacing the bad fuse as directed below will fix the problem (a car's horn or interior lights may cease to work, for example). If a fuse blows repeatedly, it indicates an electrical problem that will require a trip to your mechanic.

Difficulty:
Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

  • Fuse Puller Or Needlenose Pliers
  • New Fuse (same Amperage And Type As The One You Are Replacing)
    • 1

      Find the fuse box (see A). It is usually located under the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel, at about knee level. Many cars have additional fuse boxes in the engine compartment. Check your owner's manual or call the dealer for the exact location(s).

    • 2

      Open the fuse box cover and locate the blown fuse. There are two ways to find the bad fuse: Look for a fuse with a melted center strip (see B, which shows two types of broken fuses). Or, if you know which device isn't working--for example, the radio--look for the fuse that handles that device. The fuse panel may have labels for each device, or the information may be in your owner's manual.

    • 3

      Remove the bad fuse with a fuse puller (a small pair of plastic tweezers that should come with the fuse box). Or use a pair of needle-nose pliers.

    • 4

      Check the number on the bottom or side of the bad fuse. This indicates the amperage.

    • 5

      Buy a new fuse with the same amperage and push it into the slot in the fuse box with your fingers.

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