Introduction

Cars run on electricity as well as gas, and almost all of it runs through fuses. Learn where they are, how to spot a blown fuse, and how to replace them. It takes about five minutes, costs about $1, and it'll save you the hassle of a trip to the repair shop.

Cars run on electricity as well as gas, and almost all of it runs through fuses. Eventually, those fuses blow and need to be replaced. Know that next time your car radio, windshield wipers or other device stops working, chances are a blown fuse is the culprit. The good news is that checking and replacing a car fuse is simple enough for any DIYer to take on the project and save time and money.

Car fuses are color-coded by amp rating. For example, a standard blue fuse has a 15-amp rating, while yellow is 20 amps and green is 30. Before buying and replacing car fuses, remember that the fuse panel cover often contains spare fuses and even a fuse puller. If you do use those spares, be sure to replace them. You can buy car fuses at any auto parts store and at well-stocked service stations. The location of a vehicle’s fuse panel varies, so refer to your owner’s manual to locate yours. Some standard locations for fuse boxes include under the dash, beneath the sidekick panels and under the rear seat.

A professional car mechanic is not required to replace a car fuse; however, if your new fuse blows soon after installing it, you might have problems with that circuit. Schedule an appointment with your service station or dealer for an expert diagnosis to repair the problem.

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