8th Generation — Civic (2006–2011) FA1/FA5/FG1/FG2
The 8th gen Civic (FA1/FA5 sedan, FG1/FG2 coupe) has two fuse boxes: one in the passenger compartment (under the driver’s side dashboard) and one in the engine compartment (on the driver’s side, next to the Brake Fluid reservoir). This generation is known for corroded wiring harnesses, blown cigarette lighter fuses from cheap phone chargers, and on Si models (K20Z3), vibration-induced connector issues.
Here’s the unfiltered, garage-tested breakdown of every fuse you need to know — where they are, what they protect, and what fails on these cars.
Quick Reference — Where to Find the Fuse Boxes
| Location | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Bay | Driver’s side fender — behind the air filter box, next to the brake fluid reservoir | Cover clips get brittle with age. Remove carefully — the plastic tabs snap easily. Inside the cover: fuse puller (pincet) and spare fuses are stored there. Don’t forget to check. |
| Under-Dash (Interior) | Under the steering column, above the clutch/brake pedal on the left side | Access is tight — you’ll have to lie on your back on the floor mat. Worth it for the 15A fuse that saves your phone charger. |
Passenger Compartment Fuse Box (Under-Dash)
Location: Under the dashboard, driver’s side — above the pedals.
Most commonly blown fuses in daily life:
| № | Amps | Circuit Protected | Common Failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 15 A | Front Cigarette Lighter / Power Outlet | 🔌 #1 blown fuse — cheap phone chargers, dashcams, and 12V accessories. If your USB port died, start here. |
| 29 | 15 A | Rear Power Outlet (Center Console / Armrest) | Same as #28 — kills the outlet in the armrest if equipped. |
| 2 | 15 A | Fuel Pump | ⛽ Engine cranks but won’t start? Check this first before replacing the fuel pump. |
| 14 | 20 A | Driver’s Power Window | If only one window doesn’t work, it’s this fuse or the switch. All windows dead? Check the main fuse under the hood. |
| 15 | 20 A | Passenger’s Power Window | Same as #14 — individual window fuse. |
| 16 | 20 A | Rear Left Power Window | — |
| 17 | 20 A | Rear Right Power Window | — |
| 35 | 7.5 A | Audio System / Radio | If your radio, display, or amplifier stopped working, check this. |
| 13 | 7.5 A | Turn Signals / Hazard Lights | If your blinkers stopped working, this is the first place to look. |
| 6 | 10 A | SRS (Airbag) Control | ⚠️ SRS light on? If this fuse is blown, the airbags won’t deploy. Have it inspected immediately. |
| 22 | 10 A | Brake Lights / Stop Switch | 🛑 Brake lights not working? This is the fuse — and it also affects the shift interlock on automatics (can’t shift out of Park). |
Engine Compartment Fuse Box
Location: Driver’s side Fender — behind the air filter box, next to the brake fluid reservoir.
These are the “heavy” fuses and relays — the ones that keep the car running or not running.
| № | Amps | Circuit Protected | Common Failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Fuse Block | 80 A / 100 A | Main Fuse (bolted in) | 🔧 Don’t just yank it! This fuse is bolted down — loosen the bolts first, or you’ll destroy the entire block. Blows when someone reverses battery polarity (jump-start with cables swapped). |
| 1 | 30 A | Radiator Fan (Rad Fan) | 🌡️ Car overheating in traffic with A/C on? Check this fuse. If the fan doesn’t spin, you’ll cook the engine. |
| 4 | 30 A | Condenser Fan | Works with the radiator fan. If both are dead, check the A/C relay (see below). |
| 9 | 15 A | Ignition Coils | 🔥 Misfire or rough idle? If one coil fails, the car will run rough. This fuse protects all four. |
| 3 | 15 A | A/C Compressor Clutch Relay (Coil) | ❄️ The legend. The factory Omron relay sticks closed, drains the tiny Group 51R battery overnight. Replace with the Mitsuba relay (39794-SDA-A05) — the updated part solves the problem. |
| 10 | 7.5 A | A/C Compressor Clutch Relay (Power) | Power feed for the same relay. If the relay is fine but the clutch won’t engage, check this. |
| 5 | 20 A | Headlight (Left) | If one headlight is out but the bulb is good — check the fuse. |
| 6 | 20 A | Headlight (Right) | Same as #5 — one fuse per side. |
| 7 | 15 A | Horn | Horn not working? Could be this, or the clock spring. |
Garage Tips — DIY Troubleshooting
🛠️ Multimeter Check — Without Pulling Every Fuse
You don’t need to pull each fuse to check it. Set your multimeter to continuity (buzzer mode) and touch the metal test points on top of each fuse — right in the fuse box. If it buzzes, the fuse is good. If it doesn’t, it’s blown.
This saves time and avoids accidentally resetting the ECU or radio memory.
🚫 No “Bugs” — Do Not Use Higher Amp Fuses
Never replace a 15A fuse with a 20A or 30A. If a 15A fuse keeps blowing, you have a short circuit, not a bad fuse. Putting in a higher amp fuse will melt the Wiring Harness — and that’s a $1,000+ repair when it burns the under-dash harness.
If it blows, find the short. Don’t band-aid it with a bigger fuse.
💡 A/C Relay TSB — The $10 Fix That Saves the Battery
The factory A/C compressor relay (Omron) is known to fail closed, keeping the compressor clutch engaged even with the engine off. This drains the 51R battery overnight.
Fix: Replace it with the Mitsuba relay (39794-SDA-A05). It’s a known TSB item. Costs about $10-20 and takes 2 minutes to swap.
Complete Fuse Chart — 8th Gen Civic (2006–2011)
Passenger Compartment Fuse Box (Under-Dash)
| № | Amps | Circuit Protected |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 A | Accessory (Power Mirror, Seat Heat) |
| 2 | 15 A | Fuel Pump |
| 3 | 10 A | Daytime Running Lights (DRL) / High Beam (Left) |
| 4 | 10 A | Daytime Running Lights (DRL) / High Beam (Right) |
| 5 | 10 A | Headlight Low Beam (Left) |
| 6 | 10 A | SRS (Airbag) Control |
| 7 | 7.5 A | Headlight Low Beam (Right) |
| 8 | 10 A | Instrument Panel / Gauges |
| 9 | 15 A | Stop Lights / Brake Switch |
| 10 | 10 A | Sunroof / Moonroof |
| 11 | 10 A | ABS Unit (Control) |
| 12 | 15 A | ECU (Engine Control Unit) — Main Power |
| 13 | 7.5 A | Turn Signals / Hazard Lights |
| 14 | 20 A | Power Window — Driver |
| 15 | 20 A | Power Window — Passenger |
| 16 | 20 A | Power Window — Rear Left |
| 17 | 20 A | Power Window — Rear Right |
| 18 | 10 A | ECU — Back-up |
| 19 | 15 A | Door Lock (Power Locks) |
| 20 | 10 A | Heated Seats (if equipped) |
| 21 | 10 A | Heated Mirrors (if equipped) |
| 22 | 10 A | Brake Lights (Stop Switch) |
| 23 | 10 A | Tail Lights / Parking Lights (Left) |
| 24 | 10 A | Tail Lights / Parking Lights (Right) |
| 25 | 10 A | O2 Sensor (Heater / Control) |
| 26 | 15 A | Ignition Switch (Accessory Power) |
| 27 | 15 A | Wiper / Washer (Front) |
| 28 | 15 A | Front Cigarette Lighter / 12V Outlet |
| 29 | 15 A | Rear Power Outlet (Center Console) |
| 30 | 15 A | Rear Wiper (Si / Hatchback — not US coupe/sedan) |
| 31 | 15 A | Audio System (Amplifier / Display) |
| 32 | 10 A | Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC) — OBD-II |
| 33 | 10 A | ECU (Engine Control Unit) — Sense Power |
| 34 | 10 A | Instrument Panel Lights / Dimmer |
| 35 | 7.5 A | Audio System / Radio (Memory) |
Engine Compartment Fuse Box (Under-Hood)
| № | Amps | Circuit Protected |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Fuse | 80 A / 100 A | Main Fuse — bolted, do not pull without unscrewing |
| 1 | 30 A | Radiator Fan |
| 2 | 60 A | ABS Pump (VSA Modulator) |
| 3 | 15 A | A/C Compressor Clutch Relay (Coil) |
| 4 | 30 A | Condenser Fan |
| 5 | 20 A | Headlight (Left) |
| 6 | 20 A | Headlight (Right) |
| 7 | 15 A | Horn |
| 8 | 50 A | Electric Power Steering (EPS) |
| 9 | 15 A | Ignition Coils |
| 10 | 7.5 A | A/C Compressor Clutch Relay (Power) |
| 11 | 15 A | Alternator (Field Control) |
| 12 | 30 A | Starter Motor (Solenoid) |
| 13 | 7.5 A | Daytime Running Lights (DRL) — Module |
| 14 | 10 A | Engine Control (ECU) — Main Relay |
| 15 | 10 A | Fuel Injectors (Main Power) |
| 16 | 15 A | Windshield Washer Pump |
| 17 | 7.5 A | Transmission Control Unit (TCU) — CVT/5AT |
| 18 | 10 A | O2 Sensor (Heater) — Front / Rear |
💡 Garage Pro Tip: The Group 51R battery on the 8th gen Civic is undersized. If you replace the A/C relay but still have Battery Drain, check the ELD (Electronic Load Detector) in the under-hood fuse box — it’s a known failure point that causes Parasitic Drain.
❓ 8th Gen Civic Fuse Box — Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the 8th gen Civic interior fuse box located?
Under the dashboard on the driver’s side, above the pedals. You’ll need to lie on your back to see it — it’s tucked up high near the steering column.
2. Where is the 8th gen Civic engine bay fuse box located?
On the driver’s side fender, right behind the air filter box and next to the brake fluid reservoir. The black plastic cover has clips — open carefully.
3. Which fuse is for the cigarette lighter on an 8th gen Civic?
Fuse #28 (15A) in the interior fuse box. If your 12V outlet isn’t working, this is the #1 culprit — especially if you’ve been using cheap phone chargers.
4. Which fuse is for the fuel pump on an 8th gen Civic?
Fuse #2 (15A) in the interior fuse box. If the engine cranks but won’t start, check this fuse first.
5. Which fuse is for the radio on an 8th gen Civic?
Fuse #35 (7.5A) in the interior fuse box for memory and Fuse #31 (15A) for the amplifier/display power.
6. Which fuse is for the A/C on an 8th gen Civic?
The A/C compressor is protected by fuse #3 (15A) and fuse #10 (7.5A) in the engine bay fuse box. But the real problem is the relay — the Omron relay sticks closed and drains the battery. Replace it with the Mitsuba relay (39794-SDA-A05).
7. What is the main fuse amperage on an 8th gen Civic?
The main fuse is rated AT 80 A or 100 A (depending on trim) and is bolted into the engine bay fuse box. Do not pull it without loosening the bolts.
8. Why does my 8th gen Civic keep blowing the cigarette lighter fuse?
You’re using a cheap phone charger or accessory that draws too much current. Replace the fuse with another 15A and use a higher-quality charger. If it blows again, there’s a short in the wiring.
9. Why does my 8th gen Civic battery keep dying overnight?
#1 cause on 8th gen Civics: the A/C relay sticks closed (Omron relay fails). The compressor clutch stays engaged with the engine off and drains the 51R battery. Replace the relay with the Mitsuba relay (39794-SDA-A05) — it’s a known fix.
10. Does the 8th gen Civic have a fuse for the power windows?
Yes — four separate fuses, one per window: #14 (Driver, 20A), #15 (Passenger, 20A), #16 (Rear Left, 20A), #17 (Rear Right, 20A) in the interior fuse box. If all windows are dead, check the main power window relay (under-Hood).