2008 Nissan Frontier - Fuses

Do I Have a Blown Fuse?

Fuses are electrical safety components designed to protect the circuits in your vehicle. Fuses function as a link between the power distribution unit or fuse block and the individual electrical circuits and are designed to protect against damage to accessories and wiring harnesses by disconnecting power if excessive current passes through the fuse element. Fuses contain wire elements that "blow", melt, or break if the current is too high, or if a short-circuit occurs, which could otherwise cause an electrical system failure. If a fuse is blown, it must be replaced before the circuit can be completed and continue to power any of your vehicle's electrical systems. Each electrical system in your vehicle is protected by fuses, including your radio, power locks, power windows, interior lights, and all other interior and exterior electrical systems. All of your vehicle's fuses are housed in one or more fuse boxes - the primary fuse box usually contains engine-related fuses and is typically located under the vehicle's hood, while the secondary fuse box usually contains accessory fuses, including those for your radio and interior lighting electrical systems. Refer to your owner's manual to find specific fuse locations, or check the fuse block diagram that may be located under the lid of the fuse box that labels each group of fused circuits. If you are experiencing loss of power to any of your electrical systems, such as interior or exterior lights, turn signals, heating and air conditioning controls, or radio controls, you might have a blown fuse. If you check the fuse for that system and the inside of the fuse is black, or if the wire inside the fuse casing is broken, you will likely need to replace the fuse. Keep in mind that a blown fuse is typically an indication of a deeper electrical system problem, so if the fuse fails again, it is likely that you will need to complete further diagnosis to permanently repair the problem. O'Reilly Auto Parts carries a variety of fuses and fuse accessories for most vehicles, and can also provide information about what can cause a fuse to blow in our How-To Hub.