If you have done many DIY auto repair and maintenance projects, then you may find one of the easiest and fastest projects to be replacing a broken fuse. The interior lights of a car can stop working because of a bad fuse. After checking and replacing the bulb of the dome light, you should examine the fuse box. The entire repair process is simple and replacing the fuse only takes a few minutes.
Locating the Fuse Box
The fuse box that is needed may be located inside the car near the steering column. The owner’s manual will contain a complete diagram of all the fuse boxes for the vehicle. For example, the fuse for a Nissan Sentra’s interior lights are located in the dashboard, but other vehicles have their own configurations. It is always recommended that you check the manual and remove items that may be in the way. The Sentra has a second fuse box in the engine compartment.
Locating the Broken Fuse
A car’s fuse box has a simple cover that needs to be removed. You may not need any tools to remove it. All the fuses are color coordinated and labeled. The diagram in the owner’s manual and the inside of the cover has a complete description of each fuse’s function, so it is easy to locate the ones you need. You can use a small pair of tweezers to remove the faulty fuse and examine it.
It is very easy to determine if the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced. The small wire in the middle of the fuse will be broken. The fuse box contains extra fuses that fit the amperage you may need. All you have to do is place one of the extras into the slot and replace the cover.
Extra Tips
The vehicle must be parked and turned off before changing fuses. Although all of the fuses are color coordinated, it is not recommended to change them in the dark. They are small and easy to lose. It is also crucial that the fuses are replaced with the same amperage because serious electrical problems can be created by using the wrong one. There is a risk of blowing the fuse again or severely damaging the corresponding electrical part with the wrong amp.
Most vehicles have fuses with amps ranging from 5 to 20. A simple surge can cause one of them to blow. In many cases, replacing the fuse fixes the problem, and the interior lights will work again. However, if replacing the fuse does not fix the issue, then it is beyond the scope of a simple DIY project and could indicate a serious electrical problem.