2002 Ford Explorer Fuse Box Diagram: Every Fuse and Amp Rating
Your 2002 Ford Explorer has two fuse boxes. The passenger compartment panel sits below the instrument panel on the driver’s side. The engine compartment power distribution box sits on the left side of the engine bay.
The cigar lighter is fuse 24 in the cabin panel, rated 15A.
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Start 6 Months Free As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Several fuse chart sites publish one combined table for “2002-2005” Explorers. I checked it line by line against a source that splits by single model year. That combined table actually shows the 2004-2005 layout, not 2002, on five fuse positions.
Skip to the correction section if that mix-up is why you are here.
Where are the fuse boxes on a 2002 Ford Explorer?
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There are four boxes total, but two of them matter for almost every repair.
Passenger compartment fuse panel. Below the instrument panel on the driver’s side, pull the cover outward to reach the fuses. Positions 1 through 30 live here, along with a relay panel on the reverse side of the cover.
Power distribution box. In the engine compartment, on the left side. This is the larger box with the high-current fuses, numbered 1 through 46 plus a circuit breaker at position 62.
Auxiliary relay box. On the front right fender well, underneath the speed control module. Mostly open positions on a US-market 2002 truck.
Rear relay box. On the rear passenger side quarter trim panel, behind the interior trim. Only relevant if you are chasing a trailer tow circuit on these years.
Worth knowing: a 2002 Explorer does not share its fuse numbering with the 1996-2001 Explorer or with the 2006-and-newer Explorer. This is a 3rd generation truck (U152), built 2002 through 2005, with its own panel and its own numbering.
Passenger compartment fuse chart: fuses 1 to 30
I pulled this chart from a source that states its own origin as the 2002 Ford Explorer Owner’s Manual. I cross-checked it fuse by fuse against a second source that prints a 2002-2003 column separately from 2004-2005. Both agree on every value below.
| Fuse | Amps | Circuit protected |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30A | Memory seat module |
| 2 | 20A | Heated seats, moonroof |
| 3 | 20A | Radio, amplifier, power antenna, DVD |
| 4 | 5A | Front wiper module |
| 5 | 15A | Flasher relay (turn signals, hazards) |
| 6 | 10A | Right horn |
| 7 | 15A | Heated mirrors |
| 8 | – | Not used (spare) |
| 9 | – | Not used (spare) |
| 10 | 10A | Heated backlight relay coil, heated seat module, temp blend actuator, A/C clutch contact |
| 11 | – | Not used (spare) |
| 12 | 5A | Foglamp switch, 4×4 module |
| 13 | 5A | Overdrive cancel switch, flex fuel sender |
| 14 | 5A | PATS module |
| 15 | 5A | Rear wiper module, cluster, TPMS |
| 16 | 5A | Power mirror, manual climate control, TPMS |
| 17 | 15A | Delayed accessory coil, battery saver, interior lamps, glove box lamp |
| 18 | 10A | Left horn |
| 19 | 10A | Restraint Control Module (RCM), PAD indicator |
| 20 | 5A | PATS, driver seat switch, memory switch, driver seat module, BSM, sunload sensor |
| 21 | 5A | Instrument cluster, compass, flasher coil |
| 22 | 10A | ABS, IVD controller |
| 23 | 15A | Brake pedal position switch, driver brake applied relay, cruise deactivate switch |
| 24 | 15A | Cigar lighter, OBD II |
| 25 | 5A | Mode/temp actuator for auxiliary climate control, trailer tow battery charge coil |
| 26 | 7.5A | Park aid, brake shift interlock, approach lamp relay coil, IVD switch |
| 27 | 7.5A | Electrochromatic mirror, digital transmission range sensor, backup lamps |
| 28 | 5A | Radio (start), DVD (start) |
| 29 | 10A | Digital transmission range sensor, power feed to fuse 28 |
| 30 | 5A | Daytime Running Lamps (DRL), remote solenoid, DEATC climate controller |
Fuse assignments vary with trim and options. A base XLS may not populate every position shown here.
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Listen Free for 30 Days As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Power distribution box: fuses 1 to 46 and 62
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These are the high-current fuses, protecting the engine, drivetrain, and exterior lighting circuits. Mini fuses and larger cartridge fuses share the same box.
| Fuse | Amps | Circuit protected |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60A | PJB (power junction box feed) |
| 2 | 30A | Body Security Module (BSM) |
| 3 | 20A | GCC pusher fan (export market only) |
| 4 | 30A | Rear defrost |
| 5 | 40A | Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) pump |
| 6 | 60A | Delayed accessory circuit breaker |
| 7 | 20A | Power point #2 |
| 8 | – | Not used |
| 9 | 20A | Power point #1 |
| 10 | 30A | ABS module (valves) |
| 11 | 40A | Powertrain control (PTEC) |
| 12 | 50A | Ignition relay, starter relay |
| 13 | 40A | Trailer tow battery, trailer tow turn signals |
| 14 | 10A | DRL (Canada), foglamps (export market only) |
| 15 | 15A | Memory (keep alive power) |
| 16 | 15A | Headlamp switch |
| 17 | 20A | 4×4 (v-batt 2) |
| 18 | 20A | 4×4 (v-batt 1) |
| 19 | 20A | High beam relay |
| 20 | 30A | Electric trailer brake |
| 21 | 30A | Front wiper motor |
| 22 | 20A | Autolamp, low beam |
| 23 | 30A | Ignition switch |
| 24 | 20A | Rear fog lamps (export market only) |
| 25 | – | Not used |
| 26 | 15A | Fuel pump |
| 27 | 20A | Trailer tow lamps |
| 28 | 20A | Horn relay |
| 29 | 60A | PJB (power junction box feed) |
| 30 | 20A | Rear wiper motor |
| 33 | 30A | Auxiliary blower motor |
| 34 | 30A | Power seats, adjustable pedals |
| 35 | 20A | Rear power point |
| 36 | 40A | Blower motor |
| 37 | 15A | A/C clutch relay, transmission |
| 38 | 15A | Coil on plug |
| 39 | 15A | Injectors, fuel pump relay |
| 40 | 15A | PTEC power |
| 41 | 15A | HEGO, VMV, CMS, PTEC |
| 42 | 10A | Right low beam |
| 43 | 10A | Left low beam |
| 44 | 15A | Front foglamps |
| 45 | 5A | Brake pressure switch |
| 46 | 20A | High beams |
| 62 | 30A | Circuit breaker, delayed accessory |
Positions 31, 32, and 47 through 61 in this box hold relays and diodes rather than fuses. None of them carry an amperage rating on their own.
What changes between a 2002 and a later 3rd generation Explorer? The single most important correction on this page
Ford moved several circuits inside this same generation. A chart built for a 2004 or 2005 Explorer gets five things wrong on a 2002 or 2003 truck.
| Circuit | 2002-2003 | 2004-2005 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuse 2 | Heated seats, moonroof (20A) | Moonroof only (20A) |
| Fuse 11 | Not used | Heated seats (20A) |
| Fuse 6 | Right horn (10A) | Key-in-chime (10A) |
| Fuse 18 | Left horn (10A) | Flexible fuel pump (10A) |
| PDB fuse 8 | Not used | 4×4 shift motor (30A) |
| PDB fuse 26 (fuel pump) | 15A | 20A |
In plain terms, your 2002 truck still pairs heated seats with the moonroof on fuse 2. It still runs its horns off fuses 6 and 18, with a 15A fuel pump fuse.
A 2004 or later truck moved heated seats to its own fuse 11. It also repurposed fuses 6 and 18, and upgraded the fuel pump fuse to 20A.
I checked this against three sources reading the 2002 model year specifically, plus one combined-range source for contrast.
| Source | What it shows for 2002 |
|---|---|
| A fuse diagram site citing the Ford Explorer 2002 Owner’s Manual as its source, published per model year | Matches the 2002-2003 column above on every fuse checked, including the 15A fuel pump fuse |
| A second site that prints its passenger panel as “2002-2003” and its engine box as 2002, 2003, and 2004-2005 separately | Agrees on every value, and additionally shows a change between 2002 and 2003 alone, covered below |
| A forum answer confirming the cigar lighter fuse position | Matches fuse 24 in the cabin panel on both sources above |
| A site publishing one combined “2002-2005” table with no year split | Shows the 2004-2005 values throughout: fuse 2 as moonroof only, fuse 11 as heated seats, fuse 18 as flexible fuel pump, and the fuel pump fuse at 20A |
Trust the two year-specific sources. The combined “2002-2005” chart is not wrong about the truck in general. It is simply showing 2004-2005 data under a label that includes 2002.
If your heated seats work but you cannot find a dedicated heated seat fuse, you are reading a 2004-2005 chart. On a 2002 or 2003 truck, heated seats share fuse 2 with the moonroof.
There is a narrower change too, inside the “2002-2003” grouping itself. Even that combined bucket splits fuse 62 by year: delayed accessory in 2002, power windows circuit breaker from 2003. Your box cover label settles it if the printed function does not match what you expect.
Which fuse is the cigar lighter and the power points?
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The cigar lighter and OBD II diagnostic connector share cabin fuse 24, rated 15A. This position did not move within the 2002-2005 generation.
The two auxiliary 12V power points live in the engine bay power distribution box, not the cabin panel. Power point #1 is PDB fuse 9, power point #2 is PDB fuse 7, both 20A. A rear power point, if your trim has one, runs on PDB fuse 35, also 20A.
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See Annual Plans As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Which fuse controls the radio?
Two different fuses feed the radio, and which one blew tells you what to expect.
- Fuse 3, 20A: radio, amplifier, power antenna, DVD. Blow this and the whole system goes dark, no display and no sound.
- Fuse 28, 5A: radio start signal. This wakes the radio with the ignition key. Blow it and the radio may stay silent even though it still has power.
- Fuse 17, 15A: delayed accessory power. This is why the radio keeps playing briefly after you shut the engine off.
Which fuse controls the heat, A/C, and the blower?
Climate control on this truck splits across several circuits, so the right fuse depends on exactly what stopped working.
| Symptom | Check this |
|---|---|
| No blower at any fan speed | PDB fuse 36, 40A: blower motor |
| A/C compressor clutch never engages | PDB fuse 37, 15A: A/C clutch relay, transmission |
| A/C clutch contact or temp blend actuator dead | Cabin fuse 10, 10A: heated backlight relay coil, heated seat module, temp blend actuator, A/C clutch contact |
| Manual climate control panel unresponsive | Cabin fuse 16, 5A: power mirror, manual climate control, TPMS |
| Heated seats and moonroof both dead (2002-2003 only) | Cabin fuse 2, 20A: heated seats, moonroof |
| Rear wiper or rear defrost not working | Cabin fuse 15, 5A (rear wiper module) or PDB fuse 4, 30A (rear defrost) |
Fuse 36 is a 40A cartridge fuse in the power distribution box, not a mini blade fuse. If the blower is silent on every speed, pull that one first.
Replacing a fuse yourself takes a minute with the right tool. A cheap fuse assortment kit costs less than a single dealer fuse and saves the second trip. Any brand meeting the ATO/ATC mini fuse standard fits this truck.
What is in the auxiliary and rear relay boxes?
Both boxes hold relays, not fuses, so they rarely need opening.
Auxiliary relay box, front right fender well. On a US-market 2002 truck, this box sits mostly open, reserved for police package AdvanceTrac equipment. Canadian and export trucks populate more of it.
Rear relay box, rear passenger side quarter trim panel. It covers trailer tow back-up lamps, trailer tow park lamps, trailer tow battery charge, and approach lamps. Only worth opening if you are chasing a trailer wiring fault.
How do you tell if a fuse is actually blown?
Pull it and look through the plastic window at the thin metal strip inside. An intact fuse shows an unbroken strip. A blown one shows a visible gap, or the window looks smoked.
A hairline break is easy to miss by eye. Test continuity with a multimeter set to ohms. Near zero resistance means the fuse is still good.
Never guess the replacement rating. Match the number printed on the fuse itself, and cross-check your own box cover label. A higher rated fuse lets the wiring act as the fuse instead, which costs far more to repair.
Cartridge fuses in the power distribution box need a puller, not pliers. A small plastic puller usually clips inside the box cover. Pliers tend to crack the housing.
Why does the same fuse keep blowing?
A fuse that blows once is usually a one-time surge. One that blows again within days is telling you something upstream is wrong.
Unplug whatever you added most recently. Trailer wiring, a phone charger left in a power point, an aftermarket stereo or amplifier. Added accessories cause most repeat blows on a truck this age.
Look for chafed insulation where the harness flexes. Door jambs and anywhere routed near the steering column take the most wear over 20-plus years.
Check for water intrusion. A connector that only shorts when wet explains a fuse that survives a dry week and fails in the rain.
Consider the load itself. A blower motor drawing too much current on its way out keeps taking fuse 36 with it.
If a fuse blows the instant you push it in, that circuit has a hard short. Stop replacing fuses and trace the wiring with a proper diagnostic tool instead of guessing.
A parasitic draw that drains the battery overnight is a different problem from a blown fuse. It needs a different test.
If your truck is dying between drives rather than tripping a fuse, start with a battery health check. Do that before you chase the wiring.
2002 Ford Explorer fuse quick reference
The fuses owners look up most, in one place.
| What you want | Fuse | Amps |
|---|---|---|
| Cigar lighter, OBD II | 24 | 15A |
| Power point #1 | PDB 9 | 20A |
| Power point #2 | PDB 7 | 20A |
| Radio, amplifier, DVD | 3 | 20A |
| Blower motor | PDB 36 | 40A |
| A/C clutch relay | PDB 37 | 15A |
| Fuel pump | PDB 26 | 15A |
| Heated seats, moonroof | 2 | 20A |
| Right horn | 6 | 10A |
| Left horn | 18 | 10A |
| Horn relay | PDB 28 | 20A |
| Front wiper motor | PDB 21 | 30A |
| Rear defrost | PDB 4 | 30A |
| High beams | PDB 46 | 20A |
| Low beams | PDB 22 | 20A |
| ABS pump | PDB 5 | 40A |
| Starter relay | PDB 12 | 50A |
Have a newer Explorer instead? Check the 2013 Ford Explorer fuse box diagram, which is a different generation with its own panel and numbering entirely.
