The Kia Clarus, known as Credos in some markets (1996-2001), is a mid-size car whose mechanical design shares elements with the Mazda 626. Its electrical distribution has two main fuse boxes: a combined high-current fuse and relay carrier in the engine bay and a passenger-compartment board behind the driver’s side lower dashboard. The complete lists below preserve all 23 engine-bay positions, including relays and one unused slot, and all 21 cabin fuse positions.
Where are the Clarus / Credos fuse boxes?
Under the bonnet: Switch off the ignition and locate the fuse and relay carrier on the left-hand side of the engine bay near the wing. Carefully release its plastic catches. The illustration numbers 23 locations, but several of them are relays rather than fuses, including the circuits for the headlamps, radiator fans, air conditioning and fuel pump.
Inside the car: Open the driver’s door and look at the lower dashboard by the driver’s feet. Remove the small fuse cover and compare the fitted parts with positions 1-21 on the diagram. Layout and access can differ on right-hand-drive vehicles and other market versions.
Engine compartment fuse and relay box – positions 1-23
High-current supply fuses are located alongside smaller engine-management fuses and relays. Locations 5, 6, 7, 14, 15 and 20-23 are relay positions and have no blade-fuse amperage. Position 3 is unused on the illustrated arrangement.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 80 | MAIN – Main electrical supply fusible link |
| 2 | 20 | HEAD LAMP – Headlamp circuit |
| 3 | – | Unused position in the illustrated configuration |
| 4 | 20 | INJECTOR – Fuel injection system |
| 5 | – | Headlamp relay |
| 6 | – | Air-conditioning condenser fan relay |
| 7 | – | Radiator cooling fan relay |
| 8 | 50 | IGNITION – Main ignition-switched supply |
| 9 | 20 | ABS – First anti-lock brake system circuit |
| 10 | 30 | AIR-CON – Air-conditioning system supply |
| 11 | 30 | COOLING FAN – Radiator cooling fan supply |
| 12 | 30 | HEATER – Cabin heating and blower supply |
| 13 | 60 | BATTERY – Main battery power supply |
| 14 | – | Air-conditioning relay |
| 15 | – | Main power relay |
| 16 | 15 | MAIN RELAY – Main engine control relay supply |
| 17 | 20 | ABS – Second anti-lock brake system circuit |
| 18 | 10 | EGR – Exhaust gas recirculation control, where fitted |
| 19 | 10 | REAR FOG – Rear fog lamp |
| 20 | – | Horn relay |
| 21 | – | Front fog lamp relay |
| 22 | – | Small auxiliary relay |
| 23 | – | Fuel pump relay |
Dashboard fuse panel – positions 1-21
The interior fuse board covers electric windows, audio, the cigarette lighter, fuel system control, wipers, exterior lights, locking and rear-window heating. Position 20 holds a spare 15 A fuse instead of serving an active circuit.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | POWER WINDOW – Electric windows |
| 2 | 10 | RADIO – Audio head unit |
| 3 | 20 | CIGAR – 12 V cigarette lighter |
| 4 | 15 | ENGINE – Engine electronic controls |
| 5 | 10 | FUEL TANK – Fuel pump and fuel tank circuit, depending on version |
| 6 | 15 | METER – Instrument cluster |
| 7 | 20 | WIPER – Front windscreen wipers and washers |
| 8 | 15 | SIDE LAMP – Position and side lamps |
| 9 | 10 | AIR BAG – Airbag control module, where fitted |
| 10 | 15 | SUNROOF – Power sunroof, where fitted |
| 11 | 15 | AIR-CON – Air-conditioning control |
| 12 | 15 | FOG LAMP – Front fog lamps |
| 13 | 15 | HAZARD – Hazard warning lights |
| 14 | 30 | DOOR LOCK – Central locking |
| 15 | 15 | ROOM LAMP – Interior courtesy lights |
| 16 | 30 | POWER SEAT – Electrically adjustable seat, where fitted |
| 17 | 20 | STOP LAMP – Brake lights |
| 18 | 15 | TRUNK OPENER – Electric boot lid release |
| 19 | 15 | TURN SIGNAL – Direction indicators |
| 20 | 15 | SPARE – Spare fuse, not connected to a live circuit |
| 21 | 30 | REAR WINDOW HEATER – Heated rear window |
Equipment differences and spare positions
Some Clarus / Credos versions have optional powered seats, sunroof, ABS or additional safety equipment, while others leave the associated fuse or relay position unused. The factory main fuse is 80 A at engine-bay position 1, with a separate 60 A battery supply at position 13. The correct rating and presence of these high-current components should be verified on the vehicle itself.
Radio, cigarette lighter, wipers, fuel pump and cooling fan
Cigarette lighter and stereo: Cabin fuse 3 (20 A) supplies the 12 V cigarette lighter; the audio head unit uses cabin fuse 2 (10 A). Electric windows use cabin fuse 1 (30 A) and central locking uses fuse 14 (30 A).
Wipers and heated rear glass: Cabin fuse 7 (20 A) protects the windscreen wipers and washers. Cabin position 21 (30 A) supplies the rear-window demister.
Fuel pump and engine cooling: The fuel-related cabin position 5 is rated at 10 A, while the fuel pump relay sits at engine-bay position 23. If the radiator fan fails, check engine fuse 11 (30 A), fan relay 7, connectors and the cooling fan motor. Repeated fuse failure suggests a short circuit or overloaded component, not a reason to increase the fuse rating.
Clarus and other Kia electrical guides
Clarus shares some mechanical heritage with the Mazda 626, but its fuse numbering and relay arrangement should be identified from the Kia diagram. For another Kia from the period immediately after Clarus production, see the Kia Carens II (2002-2006) electrical guide.
Technical basis: Kia Clarus / Credos 1996-2001 fuse and relay listings. The actual circuit allocation can vary by engine, market and equipment level; confirm the fitted fuse and cover legend.