Acura MDX Electrical Fuse
Replacement Guide
How to check or change a blown electrical
fuse or a faulty relay in a 1st generation 2001 to 2006 Acura MDX SUV.
2006 MDX Engine Bay |
Engine Bay Fuse Box |
Push In Two Release Tabs |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically created to assist
owners of the first generation (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006)
Acura MDX in checking or changing a blown electrical fuse or a
faulty relay in any of the electrical panels including the two boxes
in the engine bay, under the driver side dashboard or in the
passenger side kick panel. Owners of other Acura or Honda vehicles such as the RDX, ILX, TLX, RLX, TL, CL, RSX, RL, TSX, ZDX, NSX, Integra, Pilot, Accord, Civic, Fit, Clarity, CR-V, CR-Z, HR-V, Odyssey, Element and Ridgeline may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The MDX is equipped with mini blade electrical fuses which can be purchased at Walmart, any auto parts store or online at Amazon. A black plastic fuse puller tool should be attached to the primary engine bay fuse block. If the tool is missing, you could use a pair of needle nose pliers with rubber insulated handles. |
||
|
||
Fuse Box Cover Removed |
Fuse Location Diagram |
Engine Bay Fuse Block |
There are two
electrical panels located in the engine bay. Open the hood and move to the left (passenger) side of the engine bay to access the primary (largest) electrical panel. The rectangular shaped primary fuse box is located just behind the blue plastic windshield washer fluid filler tube cap and in front of the cowl. Gently push in the two release tabs on the front edge of the engine bay fuse box before pulling the cover straight off. Turn over the cover to view the fuse location diagram. There is also another diagram in your owner's manual. |
||
Black Plastic Fuse Puller Tool |
Driver Side of Engine Bay |
Secondary Under Hood Box |
There is a black
plastic fuse puller tool located at the right rear corner of the primary
fuse box next to three large black relays. Lift the fuse puller tool straight out of its socket. The smaller rectangular shaped secondary engine bay fuse box is located on the right (driver) side of the engine bay. It is situated behind the air intake tube and in front of the cowl near the windshield. |
||
Squeeze Two Release Tabs |
2nd Engine Bay Fuse Panel |
Fuse Location Diagram |
Gently squeeze
together the two release tabs on the left and right side of the small fuse
box before lifting the cover straight off. Turn over the fuse box cover to view the fuse location diagram. There is also another fuse location diagram in your owner's manual. |
||
Driver Side Footwell |
Parking Brake Pedal |
Driver Side Electrical Panel |
There are two small
fuse panels located under the dashboard on the driver side. They are situated near the emergency / parking brake pedal. |
||
Passenger Side Footwell |
Plastic Access Cover |
Pull Open Access Cover |
The last fuse panel
is located in the front passenger footwell in the outer plastic kick panel. Insert your thumb into the front edge of the access cover and pull it open. |
||
|
||
Hinged Plastic Cover |
Fuse Location Diagram |
Passenger Side Fuse Panel |
There is a fuse location diagram on the back side of the access cover. | ||
Place Tool Over Old Fuse |
Pull Out Old Fuse |
Hold Up To Light Bulb |
Pinch the end of
the fuse puller 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 its socket. To check the condition of the old fuse, hold it up to a light bulb. If the thin metal bar 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 strip in the center of the old fuse appears to be intact, the old fuse is probably still good. Since new fuses are so inexpensive, it should still be replaced with a new one. Push a new standard mini blade electrical fuse of the same amperage rating (e.g. 5A, 10A, 15A, 20A) straight into the socket. If you suspect that a faulty relay is your electrical problem, the easiest way to troubleshoot the issue is to simply install a new relay or swap it with a known working relay from another circuit in the electrical panel. |
||
Push In New Fuse |
Close Access Cover |
Replace Fuse Puller Tool |
If you'd like to
install a hard wired 12V power supply for an accessory such as a radar
detector, dash camera, GPS or a gauge, buy an "add-a-circuit"
(also known as a piggyback fuse holder). Be sure to test the fuse socket with a multimeter tool to determine which side is the "hot" 12V side. On most add-a-circuit fuse holders, the "hot" or 12 volt power side is the metal blade located on the opposite side of the red wire. The output or "load" metal blade is closest to the red positive wire. The original fuse should go into the "bottom" socket closest to the two metal blades. The fuse for the new circuit should be pushed into the socket at the "top", furthest from the two metal blades. Close the hinged cover over the passenger side electrical panel in the kick panel. Replace the fuse puller tool into its socket in the primary engine bay electrical panel. |
||
Push On Fuse Box Cover |
Push On Small Cover |
Small Cover Replaced |
Lower the fuse box
cover back into place and push on it to secure the two retaining clips. Push the small engine bay fuse box cover back into place. Test the electrical component that you were having issues with such as the radio, 12V power outlet, power windows, power driver's seat, seat heaters, wipers, headlights, horn, moonroof, fog lights, etc. If you are still having the same problem, there may be a shorted wire some where or the electrical component itself needs to be replaced. For more,
please check out all of my
2001-2006 Acura MDX DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
If you found this guide to be helpful,
please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com
"Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.) |
Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
All Rights Reserved ®
Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. |
Privacy Policy About Paul & Author Contact Info