Changing A Fuse On Avensis 2007 (Petrol)

[Galad]

Guys

I installed 3 LED bulbs to replace the lousy Toyota bulbs in the overhead courtesy light box (including the map reading lights) and seem to have blown a fuse (I stupidly tried to fit the bulbs with the switches still in on position). The handbook on this car is frankly rubbish with guidance on changing a fuse spread over 3+ pages in different sections which is really confusing!! Can some kind soul point me to the correct fusebox please (are there 3 in this car???) and how to access the fuse? Handbook suggests under the dash down to the right hand side of the steering wheel (RHD) but I can't see a fusebox just a black plastic tag that may be hiding something else but I'm reluctant to do anything for fear of doing any damage. Also, I may have to draft in a limbo dancer if that's where the fusebox actually is!!

Incidentally, since blowing the fuse (if that's what I've done) the clock has defaulted to 12:00 and the rev counter/fuel and temp gauges are resting in odd positions only when ignition is swtiched off. Is this because a separate circuit has been interrupted?

Many thanks in anticipation!

[BALIKBAYAN]

I believe it is the 7.5 A fuse called Rad1. It also goes to the combination meter and other stuff. The fuse is supposed to be in the driver side junction box. I am sure you will find where it is placed if you read the manual.

Good luck!!!

[Galad]

Thanks but I think it's the fuse labelled 'Dome 7.5A' but my difficulty is locating and accessing the junction box - does a panel come away beneath and to the right of the steering column to reveal it? What is the combination meter?

[BALIKBAYAN]

I saw that name on one wiringdiagram but most of them said rad 1.

I used the good cd workshop for the T25 avensis I found at e-bay for almost nothing.

[BALIKBAYAN]

I will try to attach the wiring diagram and also the power source matrix. The dome fuse is inside the lower finish panel. I didn't find the dome fuse first in the power source matrix that is why I said it was the rad1 fuse.

interiorlight.pdf

power source.pdf

[Galad]

Thanks Balikbayan but that's too technical for my simple brain! As I've just said on a similar thread I'm trying to get access to the fusebox where I believe the blown fuse is located and another poster has helpfully uploaded a useful diagram that points me in the right direction. Is it okay for a rank amateur like me to take out the old fuse and replace it without the need to disconnect the Battery first (I won't even contemplate doing that myself BTW!)?

[Konrad C]

Hi Galad,

The Dome fuse is located in the engine bay. It is 7.5A and standing by the front nearside wheel, it is the highest of the first column of fuses. It also stops the central locking from working too.

It seems that quite a lot of the cars system runs though this fuse.

What year version of Avensis do you have? My suggestion is related to the T22, which ran from 1997 to 2002. That's the mk1(my car). The T25 is mk2 and may or may not be the same.

Hope this helps.

[Konrad C]

Hi Galad,

The Dome fuse is located in the engine bay. It is 7.5A and standing by the front nearside wheel, it is the highest of the first column of fuses. It also stops the central locking from working too.

It seems that quite a lot of the cars system runs though this fuse.

What year version of Avensis do you have? My suggestion is related to the T22, which ran from 1997 to 2002. That's the mk1(my car). The T25 is mk2 and may or may not be the same.

Hope this helps.

[Galad]

Thanks Konrad. It's a 2007 model and the central locking isn't affected (thankfully). With a slipped disc I'm afraid I'll have to ask my friendly mechanic to do the needful in this instance as getting under the steering column at 6 foot 2 and with a bad back is simply out of the question. Still very disppointed that something as basic as a fusebox is in such an inaccessible place-SWMBO's Corsa by contrast is within easy reach.

[Konrad C]

Oops. I should have read the title!

My much older Avensis handbook is detailed enough to help me, plus I have the Haynes manual to assist. Occasionally I use ToyoDiy to assist, not forgetting this forum.

Having not seen your handbook, I cannot see what progress Toyota have made or not.

Hope you fuse issue is sorted soon.

[Galad]

Update on this saga and a salutory lesson for all who try to change humble light bulbs!

A tail light bulb blew on Thursday night and handbook indicates a 'simple' procedure for replacement - surely not a specialist job? Struggled for an hour to dislodge the bulb holder from the rear lens and even had to climb into the boot to get a reasonable (but only a partial) view of the set up. Dreadful ergonomics for the DIYer. Finally got it out and turned on the lights to make sure I removed the correct bulb-the fuse tripped and I was left with no rear lights or indicators all round! Luckily, nearside brake and high level brake lights were on a different circuit so I was able to drive to an Auto Spark the next day. Cost me £10, but money well spent! Mind you even the Spark found it tricky to get the bulb holder back into place. I thought that the headlights bulbs were the only worries. Not looking forward to brake and tail lights blowing in future as it will be a tenner a go!

Auto Spark says that modern vehicle fuse systems are now so sensitive to protect the delicate electronics that even the simple act of changing a bulb requires all relevant switches to be in the 'off' position before touching or removal. How a bulb can be changed successfully out on the roads is beyond me when you now run the risk of tripping all of the lights/intsruments that happen to be on the same circuit! Will AA/RAC etc come out just to replace a bulb or for that matter a blown fuse if caused by trying to change the bulb in the first place? The T&C in my policy specifically exclude faults caused by tampering with the vehicle: you have been warned........!