How to Check Replace Fuses 2004-09 Subaru Outback

Hi, I’m Mike from 1A Auto. We’ve been selling auto parts for over 30 years!

The under hood fuse panel is located here on the driver side. There's two push locks at the edge, so I use two hands. Unclip it, and then lift it off. And on the inside, it actually tells you with an arrow to the front. So this is the fuse panel layout, so it matches the fuse panel if you're looking at it straight down.

This is the same layout, so if you are looking for the say, the auto amp, so that'd be the stereo 20 amp. And we'll find it—the 20 amp fuse right here. So if you're looking for the horn relay, it's going to be this one right here. This will match that. It also has some spare fuses located on the inside, if you do happen to blow a fuse. And this little white piece here is a fuse pulling tool.

So, say we want to pull that 20 amp fuse because it's blown, you just squeeze over it, and pull it right out. And I don't have a spare 20 amp here, but you'd pull it out here. It's probably missing, and then you'd reinstall it. You can actually use the tool to help you reinstall it. Get it lined up and go in with a little bit of force. Once it's lined up, you take that tool off and just make sure it's in there. And of course, put the tool back, reinstall the cover, and you're all set.

Interior fuse panel is located on the driver's side, just above your left knee. You pull this little door down and pops in place. You can actually snap it off. It just unclips. And then, if we turn this around, the fuse panel is inside here. This again, when you're looking right at it, matches up with your fuse diagram here.

So if you're looking for the cigarette lighter, which is actually marked as "Cigar Lighter" here, or your 12 volt plug, they would be in the second row. It's a ten amp fuse, so it's this red fuse right here. And then your 20 amp, sorry, your 12 volt plug for charging phones has a 20 amp fuse. So that's right here. If you needed to replace that, you'd go get the tool from under the hood, pull it out, replace your 20 amp fuse, and that would be all set. So typically, that's the reason.

So the outlets for charging phones have a higher amp fuse. This one would be for lighting cigarettes or cigars—that's why they're a larger size. That's why their cigarette lighters are such an odd size. They're actually designed for cigars. You could replace that ten amp fuse, but it's most likely that might actually blow if you put a phone charger in there, because it's designed for much lower amperage. Of course there's tail amps, blower motor, fog light, washer... so if you get an electrical issue, you should always go here and check the fuses first.

I'll reinstall the cover, just clip it back into place, and then lift it up and push it in