Need Help with fuses

I have a 1999 Camry. Dome lite doesn't work. Replaced the bulb. Initially it did work but then it stop working within a couple of seconds. I suspect the fuse is blown. My wife also said that the power locks stopped working. The challenge is, although I have found the fuse box location under the dash on the left of the steering wheel, I don't know which fuse is which. Coincidentally, the cover for the fuse box is missing. I suspect that their is a map on the missing door that explains which fuse does what. If someone could tell me what size the fuse is that would give me a start. Also, is there an easy way to remove fuses. I have a needle nose pliers that I could try but maybe there is another tool that would be more appropriate.

Thanks

Bruce

Reply to
bruce6230
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This fault is a good opportunity to either buy yourself a cheap $10 multimeter, which will indicate the prescence of volts (DC 12V) or a simple test light. The latter is made by connecting (soldering preferabley) two wires to a festoon bulb (like the one in the dome-light), one on each end. You then put a alligator clip on one wire, which you clip onto the car's chassis or earth, and some sort of probe on the other wire to touch on electrical contacts. If good volts are present, the bulb will light.

Sometimes the clips the replacement bulb fits into get spread slightly,..so note that the new bulb is secure. Your test device will also quickly tell you which fuse is blown.

Jason

Reply to
Jason James

I am not sure how this helps me locate the fuse that is blown.

Reply to
bruce6230

If a fuse has voltage on one side but not the other it is blown. The ATM style fuse used on most autos now as well as the ATC style, both have the two tabs sticking out of the square plastic head, have a small metal point you can touch with a tester to check. You don't even have to take the fuse out. If you want to do your own work and don't know how to do simple tasks, you definately need a repair manual. Dave

Reply to
davidj92

What I am really looking for is someone who has this vehicle or has access to a diagram of the fuse layout.

Reply to
bruce6230

The owner's manual should list all the fuse locations and functions. On my '94, the dome light fuse is under the hood in the fuse holder near the air filter. That fuse also controls the lighted ring around the ignition switch and the radio and I think also the trunk light. So if the illumination around the ignition key works, it is probably not that fuse. Also, when you remove the cover, there should be a small plastic tool for removing fuses. If you're blowing fuses, you will need to determine the cause of course, or the new fuse will also fail. Sometimes the wiring near the door hinges goes bad with flexing over time, which might explain the power lock problem. In my experience, the most common problem with the dome light is the pin switches in the door jambs. Check those also.

Reply to
Daniel

If you just check you'll find the fuse that may be bad. The fuses that are only on with ignition won't have power on either side, while the fuses that are hot constantly, like the dome light circuit, will have power all the time. There should only be less than 20 fuses, which could be checked in less time than it takes to write an email asking for the exact location of the fuse. Dave

Reply to
Dave

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