Radiator Fan Fuse and Relay Location by Vehicle Make and Model

If your engine is overheating and the radiator fan isn't kicking on, the fuse or relay is one of the first things to check. Knowing the exact radiator fan fuse and relay location for your specific vehicle can save you hours of guessing, unnecessary part replacements, and expensive diagnostic fees. The problem is that every car manufacturer places these components in different spots sometimes in the under-hood fuse box, sometimes inside the cabin, and occasionally in less obvious locations entirely. This article breaks down common locations by popular makes and models so you can find what you need fast.

What Does the Radiator Fan Fuse and Relay Actually Do?

The fuse protects the radiator fan circuit from electrical overload. If a short or power surge hits the circuit, the fuse blows and breaks the connection before damage spreads to the wiring harness or the fan motor itself. The relay is a small electromagnetic switch that allows the car's computer (ECU) to turn the high-amperage fan motor on and off using a low-current signal. Without the relay, the ECU would need to carry the full fan motor current, which it's not designed to do.

When either of these parts fails, the radiator fan stops working. The engine temperature climbs, and you risk a blown head gasket or warped cylinder head if you keep driving. That's why pinpointing the exact fuse and relay location matters it's often the quickest fix for an overheating problem.

Where Is the Radiator Fan Fuse and Relay Located?

The short answer: check your owner's manual first. The fuse box lid usually has a diagram labeling each fuse and relay position. But manuals aren't always handy, so here's a breakdown by popular vehicle brands.

Toyota and Lexus

Most Toyota and Lexus models house the radiator fan relay in the under-hood fuse box (also called the junction block or relay box). Common examples:

Toyota Camry (2002–2017): The fan relay is in the under-hood fuse box near the battery. Look for relays labeled "FAN NO. 1" and "FAN NO. 2." The fuses are typically 30A and also located in the same box.
Toyota Corolla (2003–2019): Under-hood fuse box, driver side. The radiator fan relay is usually a small black cube relay labeled "RDI FAN."
Toyota RAV4 (2006–2018): Under-hood fuse and relay box, passenger side near the firewall. Fan fuses are usually labeled "RDI" at 30A or 40A.
Lexus RX 350: Similar layout to the Toyota Highlander under-hood fuse box, fan relay labeled "FAN 1" or "FAN 2."

Honda and Acura

Honda places most radiator fan fuses and relays in the under-hood fuse box on the passenger side.

Honda Civic (2006–2015): The fan relay is in the under-hood fuse/relay box. Look for the "Cooling Fan Relay" position, often near the top row. The fuse is typically a 20A or 30A mini fuse in the same box.
Honda Accord (2008–2017): Under-hood fuse box, driver side. The radiator fan relay is a standalone relay in the relay section of the box. Some models have both a condenser fan relay and a radiator fan relay.
Honda CR-V (2007–2016): Under-hood fuse box. Fan relay and fuse near the middle of the box layout.
Acura TL and MDX: Under-hood fuse box, similar relay labeling to Honda models.

Ford (F-150, Escape, Explorer, Focus)

Ford uses a centralized Battery Junction Box (BJB) under the hood for most fan-related fuses and relays.

Ford F-150 (2009–2020): The cooling fan relay is in the under-hood fuse box (BJB). Depending on engine size, you may see one or two fan relays. Fuses range from 30A to 60A, sometimes as a maxi fuse or a cartridge-type fuse.
Ford Escape (2013–2019): Under-hood fuse box, relay labeled "Fan 1" or "Fan 2." Fuse is usually 40A.
Ford Explorer (2011–2019): Battery Junction Box under the hood. Cooling fan relay and high-current fuse in the same area.
Ford Focus (2012–2018): Under-hood fuse box. The fan relay is a standard micro relay, and the fuse is typically a 30A blade fuse.

Chevrolet, GMC, and Other GM Vehicles

GM vehicles use an Underhood Fuse Block, often on the driver side of the engine bay.

Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra (2007–2018): The cooling fan relay is in the underhood fuse block. Some V8 models use a cooling fan control module instead of a simple relay. Fuses labeled "COOLING FAN" at 40A or 60A.
Chevrolet Malibu (2013–2020): Underhood fuse block, fan relay and fuse near the back row of the box.
Chevrolet Equinox (2010–2017): Underhood fuse block, driver side. Relay and 30A–40A fuse for the cooling fan circuit.
GMC Terrain: Same layout as the Equinox platform underhood fuse block.

Nissan and Infiniti

Nissan Altima (2007–2018): The IPDM (Intelligent Power Distribution Module) in the engine bay houses the fan relays on many Nissan models. Some owners don't realize the relays are integrated into this module rather than being standalone relay cubes.
Nissan Sentra (2013–2019): Fuse box under the hood. Fan relay is a standalone relay in the relay section.
Nissan Rogue (2014–2020): Under-hood fuse box with standalone fan relay. Fuse typically 30A.
Infiniti G35 / Q50: IPDM-controlled fan relay, similar to other Nissan platforms.

Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep (FCA/Stellantis)

Dodge Charger / Chrysler 300 (2011–2020): The Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) under the hood contains the fan relay in many Chrysler products. The TIPM is a known failure point on these vehicles.
Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011–2020): TIPM under the hood. Fan relay is internal to the module in many model years. Earlier models may have standalone relays in the power distribution center.
Jeep Wrangler (2007–2018): Under-hood fuse box (Power Distribution Center). Cooling fan relay is usually a standalone relay, easier to replace than TIPM-based systems.
Dodge Durango (2011–2020): Similar to Grand Cherokee TIPM-controlled on newer models.

Volkswagen and Audi

VW Jetta / Golf (2011–2018): The engine bay fuse box on top of the battery or near the driver side fender area. Fan relays are sometimes mounted separately on the fan shroud or near the radiator support rather than inside the main fuse box.
VW Passat: Under-hood fuse box, fan relay in the relay carrier section. Some models have a fan control module on the fan assembly.
Audi A4 / A6: Fan relays are often in the electronics box under the hood. Some models use a dedicated fan control module mounted on the fan shroud.

Hyundai and Kia

Hyundai Sonata (2011–2019): Under-hood fuse and relay box, usually on the driver side. Fan relay labeled "Condenser Fan" or "Radiator Fan." Fuses at 30A–40A.
Hyundai Elantra (2011–2020): Same general layout under-hood fuse box with labeled relay positions.
Kia Optima / K5: Under-hood relay box. Fan relay is a standard micro relay, easy to swap.
Kia Sportage: Under-hood fuse box, passenger side area on some model years.

How Do I Find the Exact Fuse and Relay Location for My Car?

If your specific year and model isn't listed above, here's how to track it down:

Check the owner's manual. The fuse and relay section shows diagrams with each position labeled. This is the most reliable source for your exact vehicle.
Look at the fuse box lid. Most fuse box covers have a printed diagram on the inside showing which fuse or relay goes where.
Search online for your year, make, and model + "fuse box diagram." Automotive forums and manufacturer tech sites often have images that show fuse layouts clearly.
Look for labels. On the fuse box itself, you'll often see abbreviations like "RDI FAN," "COOL FAN," "RAD FAN," "FAN 1," or "FAN 2."

If your fan still doesn't work after checking the fuse and relay, the issue might be deeper in the circuit such as a faulty ECU signal or wiring problem. This guide on what to do when your radiator fan isn't spinning when the engine gets hot walks through a broader diagnosis approach.

What Are Common Mistakes When Looking for the Fan Fuse and Relay?

Even experienced DIYers make these errors:

Checking only one fuse box. Some vehicles have two or three fuse boxes one under the hood, one in the cabin (often near the driver's kick panel), and sometimes one in the trunk. The fan fuse could be in any of them depending on the manufacturer.
Confusing the A/C condenser fan relay with the radiator fan relay. Many cars have two separate fans or two separate relay circuits one for the A/C condenser and one for the engine cooling radiator. Make sure you're testing the right one.
Assuming a good-looking fuse is actually good. A fuse can look fine to the naked eye but still have a broken internal strip. Always test with a multimeter on continuity mode.
Swapping the relay without testing it first. Relays are cheap, but blindly replacing one wastes time if the real problem is a bad ground, corroded connector, or failed fan motor. If you suspect an ECU signal issue, testing the ECU signal to the radiator fan with a multimeter is a smart early step.
Ignoring the fan control module. On some vehicles (especially GM and European cars), a dedicated fan control module sits on or near the fan shroud. This module can fail independently of the fuse and relay, and it's often the actual culprit.

How Can I Tell If the Fuse or Relay Is the Real Problem?

A quick diagnostic process:

Visual fuse check: Pull the radiator fan fuse and hold it up to light. Look for a break in the metal strip inside. Better yet, test it with a multimeter for continuity.
Relay swap test: Many cars use identical relays for different systems (horn, A/C, fuel pump, etc.). Swap the suspected bad fan relay with an identical one from another circuit. If the fan works, the relay was the problem.
Relay bench test: Remove the relay and apply 12V power to the coil pins. You should hear an audible click, and the switch pins should show continuity when energized.
Check for power at the fan connector: If the fuse and relay both test good, use a multimeter or test light at the fan motor connector to see if voltage is reaching the fan. If voltage is present but the fan doesn't spin, the fan motor itself is bad.

For a deeper look at how the wiring connects from the ECU through the relay to the fan, check out this wiring diagram explanation for the electric cooling fan circuit. It helps you trace the full path and spot where the signal drops out.

Helpful Tips Before You Start

Always disconnect the battery before pulling fuses or relays in the engine bay, especially high-amperage fuses. Some fan circuits carry 40A+ and can cause a dangerous short if a tool bridges the wrong terminals.
Buy the correct relay rating. Not all 4-pin or 5-pin relays are the same. Check the part number printed on the old relay and match it exactly, or cross-reference with a parts store lookup using your VIN.
Inspect the fuse box terminals. Corroded or melted fuse box terminals are more common than people realize, especially on older vehicles. If the terminal is damaged, a new fuse or relay won't fix the problem.
Carry a spare relay. Fan relays are small, cheap, and can leave you stranded on a hot day. Tossing a $5–$10 spare in the glove box is smart preventive maintenance.
Don't ignore intermittent fan operation. If the fan works sometimes but not always, the relay coil may be failing or the ECU trigger signal may be dropping out. Intermittent problems usually get worse, not better.

Quick Checklist: Finding Your Radiator Fan Fuse and Relay

☐ Locate your vehicle's fuse box(es) under the hood and inside the cabin
☐ Check the fuse box lid diagram or owner's manual for the fan fuse and relay position
☐ Test the fuse with a multimeter (continuity mode) don't just eyeball it
☐ Swap the fan relay with an identical relay from another circuit to test
☐ If both fuse and relay are good, check for voltage at the fan motor connector
☐ Inspect for corrosion or melted terminals in the fuse box
☐ If voltage reaches the fan but it won't spin, replace the fan motor
☐ If no voltage reaches the fan, trace the circuit back through the relay, ECU signal, and wiring

Next step: Grab your owner's manual or fuse box diagram, identify the fan fuse and relay positions, and test them both before buying any replacement parts. Starting with the simplest and cheapest components first is the fastest path to getting your radiator fan working again and your engine temperature back to normal.