Blown fuse

[radioarno]

I think I’ve blown a fuse that is part of my clock and radio circuit cuz my clock and radio have died. How do I locate, remove, buy, and replace the fuse. I now have an 07 Matrix

[andrewclaus]

It's probably not the fuse--it's more likely the radio itself. In the wiring diagram for the 2003 Corolla, which is very similar to the Vibe, the following items are on the DOME fuse:

ABS
Clock
Combination Meter
Cruise Control
Headlight
Illumination
Interior Light
Light Reminder Buzzer and Key Reminder Buzzer
Radio and Player
Seat Belt Warning
SRS
TVIP System
Wireless Door Lock Control

[joatmon]

If it's like one of my Vibes, it's the CIG fuse, located in the very awkwardly placed under dash fuse block. On mine, the 12V outlet under the HVAC controls was bad, and if I wasn't super careful, it would short out and take out the fuse, which also provides power to the radio in the 03-08's (don't know about 09-10) It's a 15A fuse, likely blue. I think they are called mini blade fuses

In a pinch, if you're not using it, you can borrow the INV fuse, which provides power to the 110V AC inverter. On the 03-04s, there was a second 12V outlet inside the console between the front seats, but they dropped that for the 05-08's. However, the wiring for it is still there. It got power from the P/POINT fuse, which, if that fuse is there in your 07, does nothing and can be used as a spare for the CIG fuse

cigfuse.jpg (50.07 KiB) Viewed 119 times

[radioarno]

Oh this is brilliant. So, a few questions. 1. Where would I find this fuse block? 2. Are you saying that I coukd replace the blown Cig fuse with either the Inv from the bottom far left column, or the ppoint from bottom second column?

[joatmon]

Oh this is brilliant. So, a few questions. 1. Where would I find this fuse block?

On the left side of the steering wheel, there is a small fold out storage bin. The fuse block is inside the dash, under that bin. The fuses are on the bottom of that fuse block, to get to them you have to stick you head under the dash and look up with the door threshold digging into your back. It's brutal. There's a black plastic cover that snaps on, hiding the fuses, has a fuse map printed on it. Don't know the history of the car, so that cover may or may not still be there.

I blew mine often enough that I left the cover off, and got pretty good at using a flashlight, a mirror, and some clamping foreceps (which I kept in the car) while kneeling next to the open driver door, but you'll probably end up having to do it the most painful way the first few times. Sorry.

2. Are you saying that I coud replace the blown Cig fuse with either the Inv from the bottom far left column, or the ppoint from bottom second column?

The INV fuse and the P/POINT fuse (if its there) are two of the same type and rating fuses that can be pulled and used to replace a blown CIG fuse with no impact. (other than disabling the 110V AC inverter)

However, fuses don't blow because they got old, they blow because something caused too high of a current draw, such as a short. If it is in fact the CIG fuse, then it could be that putting a good fuse in there will cause that fuse to blow also, if the original short isn't fixed. Then you'd have to figure out what the real cause is. If the fuse doesn't blow, then be extra careful when using the 12V outlet. Don't rotate anything plugged in to it while its in the outlet.

If replacing the CIG fuse gets your radio back, then it would be prudent to hit up some auto parts store or department and buy a little box of those 15A fuses, because if it was due to a failing 12V outlet, odds are you'll blow that fuse again

If its a factory radio, once you do get power back to it you'll need to set the clock, but radio should still have any radio presets you had set.

[radioarno]

Thanks for all the detail!!