Toyota Tacoma
Electrical Fuse Replacement Guide
How to check or change a blown electrical
fuse or a faulty relay in a 3rd generation 2016 to 2021 Toyota Tacoma.
2020 Tacoma TRD Sport |
12V Battery & Fuse Box |
Engine Bay Fuse Box |
This automotive
maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third
generation (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and probably also the 2022
and 2023 model years) Toyota Tacoma pickup truck in checking or changing a
blown fuse or a faulty relay in either the engine bay or the interior
passenger compartment electrical panels. Owners of other Toyota or Lexus vehicles such as the Tundra, 4Runner, Hilux, Highlander, C-HR, Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Supra, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Mirai, Sequoia, Sienna, Yaris, CT 200h, ES 300h, RX 350, GX 460, LX 570, NX 300, RX 450h, UX 200 and UX 250h may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. This 2020 Tacoma TRD Sport was equipped with the relatively newer style of Low Profile Mini Blade Electrical Fuses. There should be a white plastic fuse puller tool attached to the underside of the engine bay fuse box cover. If the tool is missing, you could use a pair of needle nose pliers with rubber insulated handles. The first two steps are to open the hood and move to the right (driver) side of the engine bay. The primary electrical fuse and relay panel box is situated just behind the 12V automotive battery and in front of the brake fluid reservoir. |
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Push In Left Release Tab |
Push In Front Right Tab |
Release Rear Clip |
There are three
retaining clips holding the fuse box cover in place.
Push in the tab on the left front retaining clip, the right front retaining clip and the rear retaining clip. |
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Pull Off Fuse Box Cover |
Fuse Location Diagram |
Driver Side Dashboard |
Gently pull the
cover off the top of the electrical panel. Turn over the cover to view the fuse location diagram. There is also another fuse location diagram in the owner's manual. The white plastic fuse puller tool and a few spare low profile mini blade fuses attached to the underside of the cover. The interior passenger compartment fuse block is located under the dashboard close to where the driver's left knee would reside while driving. |
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Interior Fuse Panel |
Pull Off Plastic Cover |
Interior Electrical Panel |
Look under the
dashboard near the hood release lever and locate the white plastic fuse
panel cover situated to the left of the OBD2 (OBDII) diagnostics port. Gently pull the cover off the fuse panel. There is a fuse location diagram on the outside of the cover. |
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Plastic Fuse Puller Tool |
Place Jaws Over Old Fuse |
Pull Out Old Fuse |
Pinch the base of
the fuse puller tool to open the jaws. Place the jaws over the old fuse that you would like to check or change. Pull the old fuse straight out of the socket. |
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Hold Up To Light Bulb |
Push In New Fuse |
Replace Plastic Cover |
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 probably "blown" and should be replaced with a new fuse. This 2020 Tacoma TRD Sport is equipped with Low Profile Mini Blade Electrical Fuses. Push a new fuse of the same amperage rating (e.g. 5A, 10A, 15A, 20 Amps) straight into the socket. If you would like to add a hard-wired 12V power source for an automotive accessory such as a digital gauge, a smartphone charger, dash cam, back-up camera, radar detector or an LED lighted Uber / Lyft sign, you can 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 truck'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. Push the plastic cover back into place over the interior fuse block. |
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Engine Bay Fuse Block |
Pull Out Old Fuse |
Low Profile Mini Fuse |
Repeat the process to check a fuse in the engine bay electrical panel. If you suspect that a faulty relay is the cause of your problem, the easiest way to check is to simply replace the relay with a new one of the same amperage rating. You could also test the old relay with a digital multimeter tool. |
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New Fuse Into Socket |
Replace Fuse Puller Tool |
Line Up Plastic Cover |
Push the white
plastic fuse puller tool back into place on the underside of the cover. Orientate the fuse box cover with the three retaining clips in the correct position. |
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Push To Secure Clips |
Fuse Box Cover Secured |
Fuse Change Complete |
Push down on the
cover to secure it into place. You should feel or hear the retaining clips "click" securely into place. Test the electrical component that you were having issues with such as the stereo, horn, headlights, tail lights, power driver seat, A/C system, power windows, interior lights, tail lights, backup camera, 120V outlet, trailer connector, power door locks, etc. If you are still having the same electrical problem, there may be a shorted out wire or the component itself needs to be replaced. Be sure to write down the fuse change in your truck's service records. Please
check out all of the
2016-2021 Toyota Tacoma DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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