How to tap into a car fuse box for accessory or amp turn-on power (2024)

• Paul

  Posted on 2/25/2024

  Hey there Crutchfield family. Love you guys. I have a weird problem I believe is tied to the REM/fuse tap. Installed a JBL BassPro powered sub in my 2023 Honda HR-V that rocks. My only problem is that the sub "thumps" when I change the gear from drive/reverse/neutral back to PARK. It only happens when switching to PARK. I've tried using two open slots and it seems to happen in both. Sanded down the grounded connector to exposed in the wheel well. Should I try to tap some different fuse locations or do you think this is a different problem. Any help would be much appreciated

  

  

  Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

  on 2/26/2024

  Paul, Try disconnecting the sub entirely - power, ground, and input signals - and see if the thump noise still happens when you move the shifter to Park. Is so, it's your vehicle's transmission, not the sub, making bad noises. If not, try it again with just the power and ground reconnected. If the thump returns, the power wiring has some issues. Could be a loose connection at the battery, fuse, or any other point in the circuit. If there's still no thump, then try it again with the input wiring reconnected. Then, if the thump returns, you'll at least know which wiring you'll need to tighten, fix, reroute, or isolate.

• Murphy from Phoenix

  Posted on 12/1/2023

  2024 Camry. Subwoofer pops when turning car off. Running Fosgate sub and amp. Using LC2i pro as well. Equipment is all brand new. I'm assuming I need to tap into my fuses but unsure which to use. Radio fuse gives constant power. Any other fuse suggestions or should I just start going one by one?

  

  

  Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

  on 12/4/2023

  Murphy, Most new vehicles have complex factory audio systems that include noise control modules as well as accessory power management systems that play havoc with aftermarket systems. These vehicles require interface devices that will preserve all factory functions and allow your aftermarket gear to operate properly. Give us a call, and an Advisor will help you find the interface module and wiring harness that'll work for you and your vehicle.

• MGM from Parrott

  Posted on 11/16/2023

  Good and accurate reading - - Once a fuse tap is installed the cover won't go back on the fuse box (2008 Grand Marquis)

• William from Portage

  Posted on 8/18/2023

  98 mustang GT popping noise from sub when turning off ignition. If I remove the remote wire from the head unit and hook to a fuse under the dash will this cure my issue?

  

  

  Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

  on 8/21/2023

  William, It's difficult to impossible to know if your amplifier is causing this without knowing the brand and model amp and how it's wired. Maybe you need a tined relay, in order for the pop to disappear.

• Joseph

  Posted on 8/16/2023

  So if I add a fuse tap to the radio/power off cig lighter (it's an 86 truck) that has no power with ignition off then what ever i connect to the fuse tap will also have no power when the ignition is off?

  

  

  See Also

  How to Change Fuses in a Car: 6 Easy Replacement StepsHow to Remove a Car Fuse and Replace It (12 Steps) - Off-Roading ProHow to replace car fusesA Comprehensive Guide on How to Identify Your Car's Fuse Type - Tips, Guides, & Tutorials for Your Dash Cam | GRDIAN

  Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

  on 8/17/2023

  Joseph, Yes - anything you connect to a switched circuit will turn on and off with that circuit. It will also already have a fuse in it (the car's).

• Steven from Newport News

  Posted on 7/9/2023

  I'm looking for a solution and hope you could offer an answer. I have a 2004 Tacoma and like most late models the cigarette lighter socket and other auxiliary power sockets do not energize until the ignition is turned on. I would like to mount a solar panel battery trickle charger on the dash and plug into the cigarette lighter or other auxiliary power socket to charge the battery. This is important to me since my truck is left on the streets for weeks at at time. Is there a way to keep the power sockets on while the ignition off (since by doing so will allow charging) by doing some modifications in the fuse box? I think a lot of people would be interested if there's a simple solution allowing them to charge electronics in their car while the ignition is off. Thanks.

  

  

  Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

  on 7/10/2023

  Steven, You should not use your vehicle's auxiliary power socket to charge the battery. That circuit passes through the vehicle's fuse box and ignition switch. You do not want a charger on that part of the vehicle's electrical system. Connect your battery charger directly to the battery, like it was designed to do.

• Jim

  Posted on 6/10/2023

  The fuses in my truck are low-profile, and a low-profile fuse tap is a tiny bit too fat to push all the way down into the socket. The mini-ATC plugs in just fine, but if I use it, I can't snap the cover onto my fuse panel. I don't want to leave the cover off of the fuse panel and risk having electrical problems due to dirt, dust, etc. If I could get a low-profile fuse that would allow me to insert a wire into one side (the draw side), that would solve my problem; but so far, I can't even find any discussion on this topic, let alone a fuse of that nature.

  

  

  Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

  on 6/13/2023

  Jim, This is one of many challenges that often come up in car audio installations. Rather than modifying your vehicle's fuse box, which may compromise safety, you might consider running a dedicated fused wire directly to the battery in order to create your new voltage source.

• Marc from Allentown

  Posted on 2/16/2023

  Can I use one of these to add a secondary car horn to my car. My real question is if I put the tap into the current horn will that drain the battery? Looking for tap location in fuse box. Thank you.

  

  

  Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

  on 2/17/2023

  Marc, Installing a second fused device to an existing fused circuit may draw too much power and blow a fuse when both devices are energized at the same time, but it shouldn't drain the battery. It may be better to use a spare active fused circuit for your second horn to get power from.

• Jamie Tolassi from Falmouth

  Posted on 1/22/2023

  Hi, I have a 2013 Ford Fiesta se that has no accessory wire and I'm trying to install an aftermarket radio. I need to tap into a fuse but am a little confused. I install the factory fuse in one slot of tap, where does the other fuse come from? Do I use the one from the back of the radio? Thanks

• Clint moore from San Antonio

  Posted on 1/21/2023

  Saw this product in a YouTube video for hooking up Led fog lights with DRLs, does the hook up you show work the same way with the lights and is there anything special I should know about, what size fuse should be used for the fog/drl lights

  

  

  Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

  on 1/23/2023

  Clint, This article is about adding a low-current accessory power source. Higher current devices like lighting will require a larger fuse - the value of which depends on the lighting system used and its current draw specifications.

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