Honda 38221-SNA-A31 Fuse, Blade (7.5A)

Several protective mechanisms such as fuses together with circuit breakers and fusible links safeguard vehicle electrical circuits between the engine compartment main fuse/relay panel and the interior fuse/relay panel located inside the passenger compartment. The fuse blocks employ different fuse sizes ranging from small to medium and large and the removal of small fuses needs pliers or plastic fuse-puller devices. The first step to resolve an electrical component failure is to check the fuse status by using a test light to verify the condition and this check can be doubly confirmed by visual inspection. Replace blown fuses with their specific types because using fuses of improper ratings will cause problems because the amperage value appears directly on each fuse. Before using a replacement fuse for a second time the underlying problem must be fixed because it typically stems from a short circuit condition. Several circuits have fusible links as their protection system through components located in the engine compartment fuse/relay box that look like large fuses. The automatic reset feature of circuit breakers protects individual circuits but users need to inspect such components immediately when reset fails to occur. Checking basic faults requires drawing the circuit breaker out gently to check with a voltmeter that power is detected at both socket ends; replacement will be necessary when no voltage is present and some circuits need manual reset procedures.

The electrical circuits of the vehicle are protected by fuses, circuit breakers, and fusible links, the main fuse/relay box is located in the engine compartment, on the driver-side side of the battery and the interior fuse/relay box is installed under the driver's side of the dashboard. They are the small fuses, the medium fuses, and the large fuses; the blades are all of the same terminal; with the medium and the large fuses being easily pulled out by hand, while the small fuses have to be removed by the use of a pair of pliers or by a small plastic fuse-puller instrument. After turning on on a lighting component for instance, if it does not light, the fuse has to be checked first, use of test light to check for power at the terminal tips; if power is confirmed on one side of the fuse but not the other the fuse is blown and can also be confirmed by checking the element in-between the terminals. It is also very important to ensure in the right type of fuses to replace the blown ones, as may be tempting to use whatever would fit physically into the fuse base; this arrangement is not advisable; every circuit needs special protection and this is denoted by the amperage value printed on the body of the fuse. If a replacement fuse goes off as soon as possible, the problem that has caused the fuses to burn out frequently is usually a short circuit occasioned by faulty wiring and should be corrected. Some circuits are fused using fusible links, especially those not fused or not likely to carry heavy current, such as the one between the alternator and starter motor; these can be replaced with one of the same amperage after disconnecting the negative battery terminal, and if the new fusible link is blown, then the circuit needs to be debugged before fitting another. Circuit breakers protect individual circuits such as a power window or a heated seat and may usually clear on its own after an overload implying for a while that it has failed; if it does not restore, it's a sign that it needs immediate examination. For basic tests, the circuit breaker can just be gently pulled out of its slot to enable the use of voltmeter; sometimes there will be voltages present at one end only, in such instances; the breaker should be replaced, more so if some exhibit signs of needing to be reset manually.

Circuit breakers protect specific circuits like power windows or heated seats and may reset automatically after an overload; if they do not reset, immediate inspection is necessary.

The under-dash fuse and relay box is found in the left kick panel, which must be removed for access to the fuses.

When an electrical component fails, checking the fuse first is essential.