458 cigarette lighter fuse replacement

Well this is embarrassing, how do I replace the F44 in Fusebox B behind the lower left trim panel?

I found this macarbon page with some instructions but mine (2015) was a little different. Mine did not have the center hex bolt, but two screws as mentioned. After removing them, I tried and tried to pry from lower left as mentioned but nothing gave, and the vent was moving as I tried prying the lower left trim panel towards me... I didn't pry too hard afraid to damage the vent. Did I miss something?

BTW appreciate MAcarbon's instructions and photos. I realize how little DIY contents are available online for this car.

Thanks

Happy driving

 

Well still no luck. I can see that lower right and upper right pins are out but left side esp where meets the left main/vda control is just not moving at all. It seems like those two are connected together .

On the other hand my fingers can get behind the panel from below and there seems to have a block of something that's freely moving around...

As for blowing the fuse, I plug in an air pump for tire, as soon as motor tried to run and it died... I cannot believe a little air pump draws more than 20 amps...

So so far
Panel 2
Jess 0

 

Thanks RayJohns for the manual pages. I did go thru them... but my imagination isn't too great connecting those dots ..

 

Okey, pried it open, will share some pics

 

Okey, once it's out it's more clear about what's happening in there. On mine, there were two screws and no hex bolt below the steering wheel. Once those two screws were out, the lower right pin could easily be pulled. I'd go to upper right pin next. I used some masking tapes to protect the leather, then pulling the upper right pin out using some trim tools to help get behind the panel.

The lower left "pin" is actually more like a hook, so to me that would be the last step.

The upper left pin is right under the Main/VDA controls so the best place to pull would be the back of upper left side. You'll have to manage the finger in there and pull. This one was stubborn, but eventually it did come out with some force.

With the 3 pins loose, the lower left "hook" would come out easily.

To put things back, I would first transferred the two clips that came off along with the pins on the panel to the slots hosting the clips on the dash side. There's a "guide" next to the upper left corner pin which helps moving the panel into the correct position. While holding the panel in place, I tried to get the "hook" roughly in place first and pushed panel in with two upper pins aligned. Once in place, I then made sure the lower right pin was fully seated.

Don't forget to replace the two screws.

ps. I am not sure how to insert pictures with text so i'll upload all pics as attachments. I've marked up the important parts that I mentioned to help visualize the steps.

I hope this helps the next person
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Thanks for checking out for the air pump power draw.

I have a high rate pump and its rated at 15 amp. Come to think of it the pump has an inline fuse as well at the plug and it's intact...

After replacing the fuse, the pump worked fine thereafter and did not blow the fuse again so who knows... it might have been a faulty fuse. I'll let the fuse do it's work for now, unless it keeps blowing fuse then I may consider adding a 2nd circuit with a breaker.

Happy driving

 

Hi Melvok,

The two screws are located on the bottom of the panel. If you slide your fingers across the bottom of the panel you would be able to feel them easily. I should mention that according to the manual there should be a 3rd screw that uses a hex key and not the usual cross style screws. The said screw isn't present in mine, so YMMV.

There was no other marking/sticker for the fuses but fuses nowadays are color coded and as well as labeled with amperage. In this case it's the yellow fuse circled in the picture with number 20 on it. The F44 mark is to the right side of the slot if you look closer at the pics of the fuse box. Also, the diagram you attached shows sideways where in the car it is mounted vertically. See the pic above for the orientation.

Hope that helped