Chevrolet Aveo Fuse Box: Location & Guide
TL;DR
The Aveo sedan uses a driver-side dash fuse box plus an engine-bay fuse/relay box near the battery; the exact fuse map is printed on each box's lid diagram and repeated in the owner's manual.
Where the Chevrolet Aveo fuse boxes are located
Every Chevrolet Aveo sedan (both the 2004-2011 first generation and the 2011-2020 second generation) uses two fuse/relay boxes rather than one. The interior fuse box sits on the far left side of the dashboard, in line with the driver's door, and is reached by pulling open a small hinged cover panel (on some model years this cover is instead just left of the steering column, low on the dash trim). The engine compartment fuse and relay box is mounted at the front corner of the engine bay, close to the battery, under a black plastic lid held down by spring clips or a couple of quarter-turn fasteners or screws.
How to open each box
The dash-side interior box cover typically unclips by pulling it toward you or prying gently at a finger notch on one edge - no tools are usually needed. The engine-bay box lid is unlatched by releasing the side clips (sometimes squeezing tabs) and lifting straight up; if screws are present, a small Phillips screwdriver is enough. Always work with the ignition off before opening either box.
| Generation / years | Fuse box | Location | How to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st gen (2004-2011, T250) | Interior fuse panel | Left edge of dashboard, driver side | Pull open small hinged cover, no tools needed |
| 1st gen (2004-2011, T250) | Engine bay fuse/relay box | Front corner of engine compartment, near battery | Release side clips, lift lid; screws on some units |
| 2nd gen (2011-2020, T300) | Interior fuse panel | Lower dash, driver side near door or steering column | Pull open hinged cover panel |
| 2nd gen (2011-2020, T300) | Engine bay fuse/relay box | Front corner of engine compartment, near battery | Release clips or quarter-turn fasteners, lift lid |
Where to find the official fuse legend
Do not rely on generic fuse-position lists found online, because exact numbering and amperage can shift between trims, engines, and production years even within the same generation. The authoritative source is always printed on the underside of each fuse box lid as a diagram matching fuse number to circuit function, and the same diagram is reprinted in the owner's manual chapter usually titled Fuses or Fuses and Relays. Match your specific car's lid diagram before pulling any fuse.
Fuses that most commonly blow, by function
- Cigarette lighter / 12V accessory outlet: often blows from phone chargers, air compressors, or other aftermarket accessories drawing too much current; symptom is the outlet going dead while everything else works fine.
- Radio / infotainment: a blown fuse here kills the screen, sound, and sometimes the clock display simultaneously.
- Interior lighting: covers dome light, map lights, and sometimes glovebox or trunk light; symptom is one or more interior lights failing together.
- Blower motor (HVAC fan): when this fuse blows, the heater and AC still may blow cold or hot air from vents but with zero fan airflow, or the fan stops on all speeds.
- Fuel pump relay/fuse: a blown fuse or failed relay here typically causes a no-start or the engine cranking but not catching, since the pump never primes.
Checking and replacing a fuse correctly
Pull the suspect fuse straight out with the plastic fuse puller usually clipped inside the box lid (or fine-tip pliers). Visually inspect the thin metal strip inside the fuse body - a blown fuse shows a broken or melted strip. If it looks intact, a test light or multimeter across the two terminals with the circuit powered confirms whether current passes through. Replace only with a fuse of the identical amperage rating, never a higher one, since the fuse is sized to protect the wiring, not just the component.
When a repeat blown fuse means a deeper problem
If a fuse blows again shortly after replacement, that is not bad luck, it means a short circuit or an overloaded component is drawing excess current, and simply fitting a higher-rated fuse to make the fault go away is unsafe and can start a fire. At that point the smarter move is pulling stored diagnostic trouble codes with a scan tool, since many of these circuits (fuel pump, blower control module) also throw codes that point directly at the failing component or wiring section rather than guessing at bare wires.
Summary
| Number of fuse boxes | 2 (interior dash box + engine bay box) |
|---|---|
| Interior box location | Left edge of dashboard, driver side |
| Engine bay box location | Front corner of engine compartment, near battery |
| Official fuse legend source | Printed diagram on box lid + owner's manual fuse chapter |
| Common blown fuse: 12V outlet | Outlet dead, rest of car normal |
| Common blown fuse: blower motor | No fan airflow on any speed |
| Repeat blown fuse | Indicates a short - scan for fault codes, do not upsize fuse |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Chevrolet Aveo: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the fuse box on a Chevrolet Aveo sedan?
The Chevrolet Aveo sedan has two fuse boxes: one inside the cabin on the left edge of the dashboard near the driver's door (reached by opening a small hinged cover), and one in the engine bay at the front corner near the battery, under a clipped or screwed-down plastic lid. This layout applies to both the 2004-2011 and 2011-2020 generations.
Why did my Aveo's cigarette lighter or 12V outlet stop working?
A dead 12V outlet on the Aveo is almost always a blown fuse in that circuit, commonly caused by plugging in a high-draw accessory like an air compressor or inverter. Check the fuse legend on the interior fuse box lid or owner's manual to find that fuse, pull it, and inspect the metal strip for a break before replacing it with the same amperage rating.
Why does the Aveo's blower fan or heater fan stop working?
A dead HVAC blower fan on the Aveo is often a blown blower motor fuse or a failed blower motor resistor/relay rather than the fan motor itself. Locate the relevant fuse using the box lid diagram, test it with a test light, and if it keeps blowing after replacement, the blower motor or resistor circuit likely has a short that needs deeper diagnosis.
Is it safe to use a higher amperage fuse if the original keeps blowing on my Aveo?
No. Never install a higher-rated fuse than specified on the Aveo's fuse box lid diagram or owner's manual, because the fuse rating protects the wiring harness from overheating, not just the component. A fuse that blows repeatedly signals a short circuit or overloaded component that needs proper diagnosis, ideally with a scan tool to read stored fault codes, rather than a bigger fuse.