What Is a Fascia Fuse Box?

Location

• The fascia fuse box in many automobiles is located below the dashboard on the passenger side of the car. This fuse box is usually covered by a panel door of some type that matches the car's existing decor. The fuse box is usually located on the passenger side because it allows for easier access than if it were found on the driver's side, where more of the electronic instruments are found.

Fuses

• Fuses located in the fascia fuse box will generally protect the car's electrical devices from the power supplied by the battery. Fuses are used to break the electrical circuit whenever there is a surge or electrical problem. This prevents the electrical devices from overheating and potentially melting down. The fuses protect the relay box, along with the car's fan motor, headlights, starter, coolant pump, wipers, radio and any other device dependent on electrical supply.

Troubleshooting

• If your vehicle has a problem related to a motorized or electronic item, you may need to inspect the fuses in the fascia control panel. This will typically involve removing or opening the panel's door. Use your vehicle's instruction manual to determine which fuses protect the malfunctioning piece of equipment. In most cases, you should be able to simply grip the fuse with two fingers and pull it out gently. Examine the metal connection for evidence of overheating. Black burn marks are usually a sign of overheating, indicating a blown fuse. Replace the fuse if necessary before moving on to the specific electrical device itself as the source of the problem.

Removal

• In some cases, the entire control panel may need to be removed and replaced. In that case, you may wish to employ the help of a qualified professional. However, if you want to venture out on your own to do the work, be prepared to spend several hours removing the dashboard along with all of the instrument control knobs and other related equipment. This can be a time-consuming and tedious process. Pay close attention to the order in which you remove these items and install them in reverse order.