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Fuses: 2002 B5.5 (1.8t) WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

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9.2K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  Wahobbert  
#1 ·
If you're looking for a fuse that isn't in the side-of-dashboard fusebox, it's probably buried behind the underbelly of your dashboard.

The fuses I needed to replace were
-Rear Seat Cigarette Fuse
-Rear 12v Power Plug

To access the area behind your fuse panel, you need to remove four hex-head bolts. I recommend using the proper tool for this (found at any hardware store). Never damage any part of your car if its unavoidable. The bolts are located
1. Under the fuse panel cover
2. Under the fuse panel cover
3. Along the top edge of the coin-pocket (lower left side of dash belly)
4. Along the top edge of a big void in the underbelly (right side of dash belly)

Once the screws are removed, pop the underbelly from its plastic clips along the top seam. I used my fingers, you can use a screwdriver or a plastic wedge tool but DO NOT DAMAGE YOUR CAR at all costs. After those clips have been pulled apart, pull the entire plastic belly forward about 4 inches to slide it out of its mounting clip (deep in the footwell). The belly is now free, and you can rest it on the floor. It should look like this:

Image

Full size image: http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/4636/imag3370.jpg

The rear seat cigarette lighter fuse is in an orange bracket. It is a 20 amp fuse.
The trunk compartment 12v plugs are the lowest two 20 amp fuses. They are side by side, as are your outlets. The two outlets are individually fused.

There are also a few other fuses under this panel, as well as two 50 amp fuses (probably a/c..etc) which I don't know the identity of.
 
#2 ·
Thanks for this ... with the visual ID, I could reach in and replace the rear lighter fuse without taking the knee bolster off. Looked hopeless when I was peering in there without knowing where it was.
 
#3 ·
Old post but it just helped me out! That rear seat outlet sat there not working for a good 15 years after my daughters stuffed a foil gum wrapper in the socket. FWIW I was able to reach in the opening above the fuse panel and swap the 20A fuse. Had to do it by feel, but it didn't take too long.

Graham
 
#4 ·
If you take a board about 18" wide by 4' long, and place the board with one end of it across the bottom of the door opening, and the other end on blocks (I find a plastic milk crate works well) you can lay on that board and work under your dash without breaking your back and having to contort yourself to see up under and work up under your dash. You can lay a floor creeper in there like that and have a similar convenient result. These specific back boards are made by some tool vendors too, but just a board or a propped creeper work well enough unless you're one of those mechanikkers that finds yourself working under car dashes a lot.