The Jeep Wrangler YJ (1987-1995) has a fuse board beneath the dashboard. Its engine-compartment power distribution changed significantly during production. Most 1987-1990 vehicles relied on fusible-link wiring near the starter solenoid; later YJs, particularly 1992-1995 models, used a Power Distribution Center (PDC) with high-current fuses and relays. The 1991 model year is transitional, so match the diagrams and component arrangement to the actual vehicle rather than assuming a single layout fits every YJ.
Fuse box locations and access
Cabin fuse board: With the ignition off, open the driver’s door and look beneath the lower dashboard to the left of the steering column. Remove the fuse panel cover to inspect the blade fuses, wiper circuit breakers and two separate lighting flashers. Right-hand-drive conversions may have different trim access.
Later engine compartment (especially 1992-1995): Open the bonnet and locate the covered PDC next to the battery. Release its catches and check the legend before lifting the cover away. Its main fuses are numbered 1-16; relays are marked A-G.
Earlier engine compartment (1987-1990): Look for fusible links by the starter solenoid, not a modern plastic PDC. Their number, size and routing can differ between 2.5-litre and 4.2-litre engines. A fusible link labelled 14 or 18 AWG is identified by wire gauge, not by an amperage value.
Cabin fuse panel – 1987-1995 variants
Position numbers cover multiple model years. Where the same slot used another value or had no confirmed assignment, the alternatives are kept explicitly. Some wiper locations contain resetting circuit breakers rather than ordinary replaceable fuse blades.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 / – | 1990-1995: rear window wiper and, on some variants, rear washer; no assignment given for earlier years |
| 2 | 20 / – | 1991: horn; the function in other versions is not reliably identified |
| 3 | 15 | Brake lamps; also under-bonnet light and hazard lamps in 1987-1991, warning buzzer in 1992-1995 |
| 4 | 15 | Turn signals; reversing lamps also supplied in 1987-1991 |
| 5 | 20 / 10 | 1987-1991: interior lighting and radio (20 A); 1992-1995: ASD relay, fuel pump and powertrain control module (PCM) control (10 A) |
| 6 | 25 | Heated rear window relay, when a hardtop is fitted |
| 7 | 30 / 20 | 1987-1992: cigarette lighter, radio and cruise control (30 A); 1993-1995: 12 V socket and radio (20 A) |
| 8 | 20 | Parking lights, headlamp switch, instrument illumination, radio and key-in warning; allocation depends on model year |
| 9 | 15 | Instrument cluster, warning lamps and rear demister control; later versions also reverse lights |
| 10 | 5 | Instrument cluster illumination |
| 11 | 6.7 / 5.3 / – | 1989: 6.7 A wiper circuit breaker; 1990-1991: 5.3 A breaker; assignment in 1992-1995 must be checked against the vehicle |
| 12 | 25 | Heater blower and air-conditioning compressor clutch |
| 13 | 6.7 / – | 1987-1988: 6.7 A front wiper circuit breaker; no corresponding assignment on later variants |
Flasher units at the cabin panel
The hazard-light flasher and indicator flasher are separate components on the cabin carrier. They are not standard blade fuses and do not have a fuse amperage rating.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | – | Hazard warning flasher unit |
| R2 | – | Turn indicator flasher unit |
Power Distribution Center (PDC) – 1992-1995
The illustrated PDC is for the later Wrangler YJ. It must not be used to locate a fusible link on a 1987-1990 vehicle. The 1991 transitional fuse arrangement may also differ, particularly for the fog lamps and relay functions.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | Fuel pump and automatic shutdown (ASD) relay |
| 2 | 50 | Alternator and charging system |
| 3 | 50 | Battery main feed and accessory circuits (ACC) |
| 4 | 40 | Ignition and starting circuits |
| 5 | 20 | Hazard warning lights; front fog lamps in the transitional 1991 arrangement |
| 6 | 50 | Second alternator power circuit |
| 7 | 30 | Headlamps |
| 8 | 20 | Ignition-off draw (IOD) permanent feed; also horn on the 1992-1995 layout |
| 9 | 40 | ABS pump, if fitted |
| 10 | 30 | ABS main supply, if fitted |
| 11 | – | Unoccupied position |
| 12 | – | Unoccupied position |
| 13 | 2 | ABS control module, if fitted |
| 14 | – | Unoccupied position |
| 15 | 10 | Horn and horn relay, 1992-1995 |
| 16 | 10 | Radio and clock memory and permanent IOD supply, 1992-1995 |
Engine-bay PDC relays A-G
These relay functions reflect the 1992-1995 layout, with separate notes where the 1991 installation used the same letter for a different circuit.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| A | – | Horn relay, 1992-1995 |
| B | – | Fuel pump relay |
| C | – | ABS pump relay in 1992-1995; air-conditioning compressor clutch in the 1991 layout |
| D | – | Air-conditioning compressor clutch relay in 1992-1995; ASD relay in 1991 |
| E | – | Automatic shutdown (ASD) relay in 1992-1995; starter relay in 1991 |
| F | – | Starter relay in 1992-1995; fog lamp relay in 1991 |
| G | – | ABS control relay, 1992-1995 |
Early Wrangler YJ fusible links – 1987-1990
These links are deliberately listed with a dash in the amperage column. Their wire gauge (AWG) and insulation colour identify the original circuit protection; 14 AWG does not mean a 14 A blade fuse. The later PDC illustration above does not show the older fusible-link wiring.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | 18 AWG green fusible link – headlamp switch and lighting supply; near the starter solenoid |
| 2 | – | 18 AWG green fusible link – ignition switch; near the starter solenoid |
| 3 | – | 18 AWG green fusible link – intake manifold heater relay and heated rear window |
| 4 | – | Alternator: 4.2-litre engine uses a brown 14 AWG link; 2.5-litre versions use green 18 AWG or brown 14 AWG according to installation |
| 5 | – | 2.5-litre engine only: green 18 AWG link supplying B+, diagnostics, ECU and fuel pump relay |
Relays fitted separately on older vehicles
On 1987-1990 Wranglers, relays can be mounted by the battery, behind a headlamp or below the dash rather than in the later PDC. An additional cruise-control fuse may be secured to the wiring harness near the cruise-control module on certain 1991-1995 vehicles.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | B+ power holding relay near the battery, 1987-1990 |
| 2 | – | Heated rear window relay behind the left-hand trim near the parking brake pedal |
| 3 | – | Front fog lamp relay behind the left headlamp, 1987-1990 |
| 4 | – | Fuel pump relay to the right of the battery, 1987-1990 |
| 5 | – | Horn relay above the cabin fuse board |
| 6 | – | Idle speed control relay near the battery, 1987-1990 |
| 7 | – | Intake manifold heater relay for the 4.2-litre engine, 1987-1990 |
| 8 | – | Starter relay: 1987-1988 2.5-litre models near the battery, 1989-1990 at the battery bracket |
Troubleshooting the lighter, wipers and fuel pump
12 V lighter: On 1993-1995 vehicles first check dashboard position 7 (20 A); on 1987-1992 variants the related circuit can use a 30 A fuse. Never replace the earlier fuse by the later rating without checking the actual wiring and handbook.
Front wipers: Inspect the circuit breaker at dashboard position 13 on 1987-1988 vehicles or position 11 on 1989-1991 vehicles. The listed breaker values are 6.7 A and, on 1990-1991 examples, 5.3 A.
Fuel pump and starting: On a 1992-1995 PDC installation, fuse 1 (30 A) and fuel pump relay B protect the pump supply. Main ignition and starter power involves PDC position 4 (40 A). ABS-equipped versions also populate positions 9, 10 and 13 and have dedicated relays.
A related Jeep of the same period
The Jeep Cherokee XJ (1984-1996) shares some engine families with the Wrangler YJ but uses different fuse box layouts and circuit assignments. Refer to its own year-specific fuse and relay tables.
Technical basis: Jeep Wrangler YJ electrical circuit listings for 1987-1995, distinguishing the later 1992-1995 PDC from the earlier 1987-1990 fusible links. Verify the precise model year and installation before replacing electrical protection components.