2012 Toyota Venza - Fuses & Flashers

Fuses, Flashers, and Circuit Breakers

The electrical system in your vehicle is designed with fuses and circuit breakers that help prevent damage due to short-circuiting, overload, and more. Both circuit breakers and fuses are designed to interrupt the flow of power when too much amperage is drawn through the system, preventing electrical wiring from melting or suffering other damage and electrical accessories from being ruined due to a power surge. Flashers offer a type of self-contained relay which allow turn signals and hazard lights to flash when activated and alert other drivers to your presence and intention. All of these components are integral to your vehicle's operation and safety, and if any part of your electrical system is not working as it should, checking the fuse, flasher, or breaker for the system is often the first diagnostic step.

What Causes Fuses to Blow?

Though some circuit breakers are designed for higher amperage and may be able to be reset, blown fuses will need to be replaced when they have failed. This is because fuses are designed with an internal metal element designed to melt at a set amperage. If the current draw through the fuse exceeds its rating, the element will fail and power to the circuit will be disconnected. In some cases, fuses may also fail over time and become more sensitive to amperage below their threshold. In any case, if any of the electrical systems on your vehicle are no longer working, check your owner's manual or the diagram on your fuse box to locate the appropriate fuse and check its condition. You can learn more about why fuses blow and how to test fuses with our helpful article.

Turn Signal and Hazard Flashers

Though a blown fuse may keep a circuit from working entirely, turn signal flashers and hazard light relays can fail in a few different ways. Often if the flasher has gone bad, it will simply fail to deliver power to the turn signals or flashers and prevent the lights from activating at all. In other cases, the turn signal relay may fail in the closed position, which will cause the turn signal or hazard lights to come on and stay on without flashing. Flashers on most vehicles will also cause the turn signals to hyperflash, or blink more rapidly, when one or more of the bulbs have burned out. This is designed to alert the driver to a problem so that they can make a repair.

No matter what type of electrical system maintenance or repair you are taking on, O'Reilly Auto Parts has the right replacement fuses, circuit breakers, fusible links, and flasher relays for your vehicle. We carry a variety of blade-type fuses, glass fuses, and fuse assortments, as well as fuse box accessories, flashers, and fuse holders that allow you to add a fuse to an aftermarket circuit. Shop our full selection of fuse and electrical components and find what you need for your next repair.