Chevrolet
Malibu Electrical Fuse Replacement Guide
How to change a blown electrical fuse or
a relay in a ninth generation 2016 to 2023 GM Chevy Malibu sedan.
2020 Malibu 1.5L Engine |
Right (Driver) Side |
Pull Out Rear Clip |
This automotive
maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the ninth
generation 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 GM Chevrolet
Malibu with the Ecotec LFV 1.5L turbocharged I4 engine in checking or
changing a blown fuse or a faulty relay in the engine bay electrical panel
or the interior passenger compartment fuse block.
(The procedure should be the same or very similar for the 2.0L and 1.8L engines.) The 9th generation Malibu was supposed to undergo a "facelift" in 2022 or 2023 and the refreshed vehicle may have continued being produced into the 2024 and 2025 model years but it will now apparently be discontinued after the 2023 model year. Owners of other General Motors vehicles from Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Holden such as the Impala, Corvette, Bolt, Sonic, Spark, Express, Trax, TrailBlazer, Equinox, Traverse, Blazer, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado, Cruze, Volt, Camaro, Encore, Envision, Enclave, Regal, LaCrosse, Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Savana, XT4, XT5, XT6, Escalade, CT4, CT5, CT6 and Commodore may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. This 2020 Malibu LT is equipped with Micro2 type electrical fuses. Please check your vehicle's electrical panels before purchasing new fuses. Earlier model years may be equipped with "low profile" electrical fuses or standard mini blade fuses. A white plastic fuse puller tool should be included on the engine bay electrical panel. If the tool is missing, you could instead use a pair of needle nose pliers with rubber insulated handles. The first two steps are to open the hood and then move to the right (driver) side of the engine bay. The main fuse and relay electrical box is located just in front of the suspension shock tower and behind the 12V automotive battery. Locate the two release tabs for the cover's retaining clips with one situated on the front edge and the other at the rear edge. |
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Gently Pull Out Front Clip |
Lift Off Fuse Box |
Engine Bay Fuse Diagram |
Gently pull out the
tab on the rear retaining clip away from the box and towards the windshield
to release it. Then gently pull out the tab on the front retaining clip towards the 12V battery to release it. Lift the cover off the box and turn it over to view the fuse location diagram. There is also a fuse location diagram in the owner's manual. |
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Primary Electrical Panel |
Plastic Fuse Puller Tool |
Driver Side Dashboard |
There is a white
plastic fuse puller tool located near the center of the engine bay
electrical panel. Pull the tool off its mounting bracket. The interior passenger compartment electrical block is located behind an access cover situated on the driver's side of the dashboard. The access panel is located close to where the driver's left knee would reside while driving and just above the hood release lever. |
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Pry Out Access Cover |
Access Panel Removed |
Interior Fuse Block |
Insert a flat head
screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool into the notch on the right side of
the cover. Gently pry out the access cover and turn it over to view the fuse location diagram. |
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Fuse Location Diagram |
Place Jaws Over Fuse |
Pull Out Old Fuse |
Squeeze the end of
the tool to open the jaws. Place the jaws over the old fuse that you'd like to check or change. Pull the old fuse straight out of the socket. |
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Hold Up To Light Bulb |
Old Micro2 Type Fuse |
Push In New Fuse |
To check the
condition of the old fuse, hold it up to a light bulb. If the thin metal strip or "band" in the translucent plastic center of the old fuse appears to be burnt or broken, the old fuse is most likely "blown" and should be replaced with a new one. If the thin metal bar in the middle of the old fuse looks like it is intact, the old fuse might still be in good working condition. Since new fuses are so inexpensive, I would still recommend changing the fuse as part of your electrical problem troubleshooting process. Push a new fuse of the same amperage rating (e.g. 5A, 10A, 15A, 20A, 25 amps) straight into the socket. If you would like to add a hard-wired 12 volt power source for an automotive accessory such as a digital gauge, a smartphone charger, a dash cam, a back-up camera, a radar detector or an LED lighted Uber / Lyft ride sharing service sign, install an "Add-A-Circuit" fuse tap adapter (also known as a "piggy back fuse holder"). Use a digital multimeter to find either a "switched" or "hot / live" circuit depending on your needs for the device. A "switched" circuit will be off when the ignition is in the "Off" position and only supply 12 volt power when the ignition is in the "On" position. A constant or "hot" / live circuit will always supply 12V power even when the SUV's ignition is switched off. Be careful to not drain the 12V automotive battery if you choose a hot / live circuit that is always on. If you suspect that a faulty relay is the cause of your electrical problem, the easiest way to troubleshoot the issue is to simply install a new relay of the same amperage rating. Carefully pull the old relay straight out of the electrical panel and push in a new one of the same amperage rating. You could also test the old relay with a digital multimeter tool. |
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Re-Insert Tabs On Left |
Snap In Access Cover |
Replace Fuse Puller Tool |
To replace the
access cover for the interior passenger compartment electrical panel, first
re-insert the two tabs on the left side and then gently pop in the retaining
clips on the right side. Double check that the access cover is securely attached. Replace the fuse puller tool on the engine bay electrical panel. |
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Push On Fuse Box Cover |
Fuse Cover Secured |
Fuse Change Complete |
Line up the fuse
box cover and push it down to secure the two retaining clips. You should feel or hear the two retaining clips "click" securely into place. Double check that the cover is securely attached. Test the electrical component that you were having issues with such as the stereo system, horn, headlights, tail lights, power driver seat, A/C system, power windows, windshield wipers, interior lights, tail lights, backup camera, power door locks, etc. If you are still having the same electrical problem, there may be a shorted out wire or the component itself has failed and needs to be replaced. Be sure to write down the fuse change in your car's service records. Please check out all of the
2016-2023 GM Chevrolet Malibu DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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