Chevrolet Equinox Fuse Box: Location & Guide
TL;DR
Check the engine-bay fuse box under the hood and the interior fuse box near the driver's left knee area; the fuse legend printed on the box lid (or in the owner's manual) is the only source you should trust for exact positions and amp ratings.
Where the Equinox fuse boxes are located
Across all three generations (1st gen 2005-2009, 2nd gen 2010-2017, 3rd gen 2018-present), the Equinox uses the same basic layout - one underhood fuse and relay block mounted in the engine compartment, usually near the battery or along the front fender, and one interior fuse box mounted low on the driver's side, behind a panel near the brake pedal or under the left edge of the dashboard. The interior box protects circuits like the radio, interior lights, power windows and accessory outlets, while the underhood box carries the higher-current items such as the cooling fan, fuel pump relay and headlights.
How to open each fuse box
The underhood cover usually lifts off after releasing one or two plastic tabs or a latch along its edge - press the tab and lift straight up. The interior cover is typically a small trim panel held by clips or a single screw; gently pry along the seam with a trim tool or flat plastic pry tool until the clips release, or remove the screw first if one is visible. Never force a cover - if it does not release easily, check for an additional hidden clip.
Fuse box locations by generation
| Generation / years | Fuse box | Location | How to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st generation (2005-2009) | Underhood fuse/relay box | Engine bay, near the battery/front fender | Lift the plastic lid by releasing the edge tabs |
| 1st generation (2005-2009) | Interior fuse box | Driver's side, lower dash near the kick panel | Pull or unclip the small trim cover by hand |
| 2nd generation (2010-2017) | Underhood fuse/relay box | Engine bay, front of the compartment near the battery | Unlatch the cover and lift it off |
| 2nd generation (2010-2017) | Interior fuse box | Driver's footwell, behind the end panel left of the brake pedal | Pry the panel loose at the seam with a trim tool |
| 3rd generation (2018-present) | Underhood fuse/relay box | Engine bay, near the battery | Release the tab(s) and lift the cover straight up |
| 3rd generation (2018-present) | Interior fuse box | Driver's side dash/kick panel area | Remove the small cover panel, usually clip-retained |
Where the official fuse legend lives
The definitive fuse map for your exact build is printed on the underside of each fuse box lid as a diagram, and the same information is reproduced in the owner's manual chapter usually titled Fuses and Circuit Breakers or Roadside Assistance/Fuses. Always confirm the fuse number, circuit name, and amperage against that lid diagram before pulling or replacing anything, since running changes within a model year can shift specific assignments.
Commonly blown fuses and their symptoms
- 12V power outlet / cigarette lighter fuse - when blown, the front or rear accessory outlets stop charging phones or powering accessories, often from a plugged-in device with a short or a coin left in the socket.
- Radio/infotainment fuse - a blown fuse here kills the touchscreen, radio, and sometimes the backup camera feed, while other dash functions keep working normally.
- Interior lights fuse - covers dome, map, and courtesy lights; a blown fuse leaves the cabin dark when doors open, and can sometimes affect glovebox or trunk lighting depending on how circuits are grouped.
- Blower motor fuse - when this blows, the HVAC fan stops moving air at all fan speeds even though the climate controls still light up; this is a fairly common wear item due to motor current draw.
- Fuel pump relay/fuse - a blown fuse or failed relay here causes a no-start or stall condition because the fuel pump loses power; this circuit is safety-relevant and worth diagnosing carefully.
How to check and replace a fuse safely
With the engine off, pull the suspect fuse using the plastic fuse-puller tool usually clipped inside the fuse box lid, and look through the clear plastic body for a broken or melted metal strip - that confirms it is blown. A test light or multimeter on the two exposed prongs (with the fuse still in place and ignition on for the relevant circuit) gives a more certain answer than eyesight alone. Replace a blown fuse only with one of the identical amperage rating shown on the lid diagram - never a higher rating, since that removes the protection the circuit was designed with and can allow wiring to overheat.
When a fuse keeps blowing
If a fresh fuse of the correct rating blows again quickly, that almost always signals a short circuit or an overloaded component downstream rather than a bad fuse, and simply upsizing the fuse is not a safe fix. In that case it is worth having the vehicle's computer scanned for stored fault codes, since many circuits tied to fuses (fuel pump, blower motor, lighting modules) will also set a diagnostic trouble code that narrows down which wiring section or component to inspect.
Summary
| Underhood fuse box location | Engine bay, near the battery/front fender |
|---|---|
| Interior fuse box location | Driver's side, lower dash or kick panel |
| Fuse legend source | Fuse box lid diagram + owner's manual chapter |
| Common trouble spot | 12V outlet, radio, interior lights, blower motor, fuel pump relay |
| How to test | Visual check for melted strip, or test light/multimeter |
| Replacement rule | Match the amp rating printed on the lid - never go higher |
| Repeat blows mean | Likely a short circuit - scan for fault codes |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Chevrolet Equinox: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the interior fuse box on a Chevrolet Equinox?
On every Equinox generation the interior fuse box sits low on the driver's side, either behind a small kick panel near the brake pedal or tucked under the left edge of the dashboard; it is usually reached by pulling or gently prying off a clip-retained trim cover, and it protects circuits such as the radio, interior lights, and power accessories.
Why does the 12V power outlet in my Equinox stop working?
This is almost always a blown fuse dedicated to the accessory power outlets, often caused by a shorted phone charger, a dropped coin bridging the contacts, or another plugged-in device drawing too much current; check the fuse listed for power outlets on the fuse box lid diagram, and replace it with the same amp rating if it is blown.
Why does my Equinox blower motor fan not blow air at all?
A blown blower motor fuse is a common cause, especially since the blower motor draws relatively high current and its fuse can wear out over time; the fan will not move air at any speed even though the climate control display still works, so check that specific fuse against the lid diagram before assuming the motor itself has failed.
Is it safe to put a higher amperage fuse in my Equinox if it keeps blowing?
No - a fuse that repeatedly blows even at the correct amp rating almost always means there is a short circuit or an overloaded component in that circuit, and installing a higher-rated fuse removes the protection the wiring was designed around, risking overheating or fire; instead have the circuit diagnosed, including a scan for stored fault codes.