Audi A3 8P (2003–2012) fuse box location and fuses
Updated:
The Audi A3 8P has 3 fuse boxes. The first is here: left end of the dashboard behind a cover (open the driver's door). Below we show where to find the fuses for the cigarette lighter, ABS, engine control unit, fuel pump, lights and wipers, and what to do if a fuse keeps blowing.
Always verify against the label on the box lid. Fuse layouts change with year and equipment.
Where the fuse boxes are
- 1Left end of the dashboard behind a cover (open the driver's door)
- 2Engine bay, left side next to the battery, in a box with a lid
- 3On top of the battery (large strip fuses, a workshop job)
The diagram shows roughly where the boxes are, not the fuse layout.
Always check the lid or owner's manual: VAG changed fuse numbering by model year and equipment, so a 2005 and a 2008 car can differ.
Some entries are unverified. Unverified: not confirmed by two sources. Check your owner's manual or the fuse box lid.
1 Left end of the dashboard
How to open it
Illustration- Open the driver door (1).
- Insert a flat screwdriver, plastic trim tool or key into the notch and gently pry off the dashboard end cover (2).
- The fuse box (3) is next to the door pillar. The fuse colours in the picture are illustration only; the real layout is in the diagram below and on the box lid.
Fuses
Arrangement from public diagrams · 49 slots
- 3 A
- 5 A
- 7,5 A
- 10 A
- 15 A
- 20 A
- 25 A
- 30 A
- 40 A
- free slot
- ? = amps unknown
Slot arrangement and shape are drawn from public fuse box diagrams; model year and equipment can differ. Colour shows the amp rating per ISO 8820. Grey slot = a rating without a standard colour (the number shows the amps). Always check the box lid.
| No. | A | What it powers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Data link connector (DLC), engine control module (ECM), headlamp leveling system, headlamp switch, trailer control module |
| 2 | 10 | Automatic transmission control module (TCM), direct-shift gearbox (DSG), anti-lock braking system (ABS), stop lamp switch (brake pedal position sensor), … |
| 3 | 5 | Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) / Airbags |
| 4 | 5 | Engine oil level/temperature sensor, HomeLink garage door opener, auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, navigation system, heated seats, HVAC control … |
| 5 | 5 | Xenon headlamp control module (left) / Auxiliary Relay Panels Mounted on the left side, beneath the instrument panel. Diagrams |
| 6 | 5 | Xenon headlamp control module (right) |
| 7 | – | Not used / reserve |
| 8 | – | Not used / reserve |
| 9 | – | Not used / reserve |
| 10 | – | Not used / reserve |
| 11 | – | Not used / reserve |
| 12 | 10 | Door control module (driver), door control module (passenger) |
| 13* | 10 | Door control module (rear left), door control module (rear right), multifunction control module 2 |
| 14 | 10 | Automatic transmission control module (TCM), direct-shift gearbox (DSG), anti-lock braking system (ABS) (if equipped), park assist control module |
| 15 | 10 | Interior lighting |
| 16 | 10 | Rain/light sensor, auxiliary heater remote receiver, HVAC diagnostic connector |
| 17 | 5 | Immobilizer / Anti-theft alarm system |
| 18* | ? | Unused |
| 19 | – | Not used / reserve |
| 20 | – | Not used / reserve |
| 21 | – | Not used / reserve |
| 22 | 40 | HVAC blower motor |
| 23 | 30 | Driver's door power window motor |
| 24 | 20 | Audi A3 “Cigarette Lighter” |
| 25 | 30 | Rear window defogger |
| 26 | 20 | Auxiliary 12V power receptacle |
| 27 | 15 | Fuel pump control module (if equipped), fuel pump relay (if equipped), starter relay (fuel system) (if equipped) |
| 28 | 30 | Power window motors (rear left, rear right) |
| 29 | – | Not used / reserve |
| 30 | 20 | Automatic transmission control module (TCM) |
| 31 | 20 | Brake booster vacuum pump (if equipped) |
| 32* | 30 | Headlamp washer pump |
| 33 | 20 | Power sunroof module |
| 34* | 20 | Heated seat control module |
| 35 | – | Not used / reserve |
| 36* | 10 | Power seat adjustment |
| 37 | 20 | HVAC system, heated seats |
| 38 | 30 | Passenger's door power window motor |
| 39 | – | Not used / reserve |
| 40* | 40 | HVAC blower motor / system |
| 41 | 15 | Rear window wiper motor |
| 42 | 15 | Windshield/rear window washer pump |
| 43* | 20 | Multifunction control module 2 |
| 44 | 20 | Trailer control module |
| 45 | 15/20 | Trailer control module |
| 46* | 10 | Trailer wiring harness receptacle |
| 47 | 5 | Cellular telephone preparation |
| 48* | 10 | Driver instruction vehicle (dual controls) |
| 49* | 5 | Special-purpose vehicles, driver instruction vehicle |
* sources differ, check the box lid.
2 Engine bay, left
How to open it
- Open the bonnet. The fuse box is next to the battery (1).
- Press the clip on the front edge of the cover (2) and lift the cover off.
Fuses
Schematic arrangement · 54 slots
- 3 A
- 5 A
- 7,5 A
- 10 A
- 15 A
- 20 A
- 25 A
- 30 A
- 40 A
- free slot
- ? = amps unknown
The arrangement is schematic (number order) because no source confirms this box's physical layout. Colour shows the amp rating per ISO 8820. Grey slot = a rating without a standard colour (the number shows the amps). Always check the box lid.
| No. | A | What it powers |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | 30 | Anti-lock braking system (ABS) module |
| F2 | 30 | Engine coolant pump relay (AXX/BHZ/BMJ/BPY/BUB/BWA) / Anti-lock brake system (ABS) / Starter motor relay |
| F3* | ? | From 2007: Multifunction control module 2 |
| F4* | 5 | Multifunction control module 1 |
| F5 | 15/20 | Horn |
| F6* | 5/15/20/30 | Engine control module (ECM) |
| F7* | ? | Unused |
| F8* | ? | Unused |
| F9 | 10 | Engine control module (ECM) |
| F10 | 10 | Engine management |
| F11* | 10/25 | Engine management / Engine management-petrol |
| F12* | 10/15 | Engine management |
| F13 | 15/20 | Transmission control module (TCM) (Automatic / Direct-shift gearbox [DSG]) |
| F14 | – | Not used / reserve |
| F15 | 10/40 | Coolant pump motor |
| F16 | 5/15 | Steering column control module (SCCM) |
| F17 | 5/10 | Instrument cluster control module |
| F18 | 30 | Audio system |
| F19 | 15/25 | Audio system, navigation system |
| F20 | 5 | Navigation system, telephone preparation |
| F21* | ? | Unused |
| F22 | – | Not used / reserve |
| F23 | 5/10 | Engine control module (ECM) |
| F24* | 5/10 | Data link connector (DLC) |
| F25 | – | Not used / reserve |
| F26* | ? | Unused |
| F27* | 5/10 | Exhaust flap control valve (BHZ) |
| F28* | 20/25 | Engine control module (ECM) |
| F29 | 5/10/20 | Coolant pump relay, secondary air injection (SAI) pump relay |
| F30* | 20 | Auxiliary heater |
| F31 | 25/30 | Windshield wiper motor |
| F32* | ? | Unused |
| F33* | ? | Unused |
| F34 | – | Not used / reserve |
| F35 | – | Not used / reserve |
| F36 | – | Not used / reserve |
| F37 | – | Not used / reserve |
| F38 | 10 | Radiator fan control module, engine control module (ECM) |
| F39 | 5 | Stop lamp switch (brake pedal position sensor), clutch pedal position sensor |
| F40* | 20/30 | Engine control module (ECM) |
| F41 | – | Not used / reserve |
| F42 | 5 | Engine control module (ECM) |
| F43* | 20/30 | Engine control module (ECM) |
| F44* | ? | Unused |
| F45* | ? | Unused |
| F46* | ? | Unused |
| F47* | 30/40 | Multifunction control module 1 |
| F48* | 30/40 | Multifunction control module 1 |
| F49 | 30/40 | From 2007: Interior fuse/relay panel, multifunction control module relay 2 |
| F50 | – | Not used / reserve |
| F51* | 40 | Engine control module (ECM) |
| F52 | 40/50 | From 2007: Interior fuse/relay panel, auxiliary circuit relay, multifunction control module 1. |
| F53 | 50 | From 2007 : Power seat adjustment, interior fuse/relay panel |
| F54* | ? | Unused |
* sources differ, check the box lid.
We do not show these boxes yet because we have no checked picture and no layout confirmed by two sources: On the battery.
The engine-bay box comes in more than one version; you can tell under the lid. In the other version the horn is F17 and the wipers F19.
Sources
We compared public fuse tables and owner-manual extracts. An entry counts as confirmed when number and function match in at least two sources.
Common faults and fuses
Cigarette lighter / 12 V socket dead
Look for the socket or cigarette symbol, usually 15–20 A
ABS light on
ABS usually has two fuses: pump (large, 30–60 A) and control unit (5–15 A)
Related fault code: P0500
Engine won't start, dash lights on
The engine control unit (ECU) fuse and main relay are in the engine-bay box
Related fault code: P0606
Fuel pump silent at key-on
Look for the fuel pump symbol, usually 15–25 A, often with a relay
Related fault code: P0230
One headlight or tail light out
Bulb first, then fuse. On many cars a body control module drives the lights and there's no separate fuse
Wipers not working
The wiper fuse is large (20–30 A). If it's fine, the relay or motor is often to blame
How to check a fuse
Switch the ignition off and pull the fuse with the plastic puller. A blown fuse has a broken wire inside. Fit one of the same rating. If the new one blows straight away, there's a short in the wiring that needs diagnosing.
Data confidence: medium
Want a definite answer?
Bring the car to our workshop in Estonia for diagnostics. We read the fault codes, test the sensors and tell you what is wrong. Repair price depends on the work involved, generally €45 per hour.