The first-generation Subaru Forester SF (1997-2002) has two fuse boxes. The passenger-compartment panel is hidden behind a small coin tray in the driver’s lower dashboard; the other is beside the battery under the bonnet. In this reference layout the numbering forms one continuous sequence, positions 1-19 in the cabin and 20-30 in the engine compartment. Engine, trim level, destination market and optional equipment can affect which positions are populated.
Where are the Subaru Forester SF fuse boxes?
Passenger compartment: With the ignition off, look beneath the dashboard by the driver’s left knee on a left-hand-drive car. Open the small coin compartment and slide it straight out to expose the fuse board. The position of the cover can differ on right-hand-drive cars.
Engine compartment: Open the bonnet and locate the rectangular plastic fuse box beside the battery. Release its retaining clips, then use the diagram and the inside lid legend to identify the corresponding position. On this generation, engine-bay fuse numbering begins at 20 rather than restarting at 1.
Passenger compartment fuse box – positions 1-19
The cabin fuses protect accessories, ventilation, lighting, SRS, ABS, radio, seats and windscreen wipers. Two unused positions are retained. Position 10 is shown as unoccupied in the Polish source layout; some markets list a rear fog lamp circuit there, so the actual lid label should take precedence.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | Heater and ventilation blower, first feed |
| 2 | 15 | Heater and ventilation blower, second feed |
| 3 | 15 | Central door locking |
| 4 | 20 | Cigarette lighter / 12 V socket and remote-control exterior mirrors |
| 5 | 10 | Rear and parking lamps |
| 6 | 15 | Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbags |
| 7 | 15 | Front fog lamps, where fitted |
| 8 | 20 | ABS solenoid valves |
| 9 | 15 | Radio and clock |
| 10 | – | Unused in the source specification; some markets/year charts assign a rear fog lamp circuit here, so verify the cover |
| 11 | 15 | Engine ignition circuits and SRS airbags |
| 12 | 10 | Instrument panel brightness control |
| 13 | 15 | Windscreen wiper de-icer at the parked blade position, where fitted |
| 14 | – | Unused in this configuration |
| 15 | 20 | Front and rear wipers and washers |
| 16 | 20 | Stop / brake lamps |
| 17 | 15 | Air-conditioning system |
| 18 | 15 | Reversing lamps, cruise control and ABS control |
| 19 | 20 | Rear accessory outlet and heated seats, depending on fitted equipment |
Engine compartment fuse box – positions 20-30
The under-bonnet board includes both engine cooling fans, the heated rear window, main lighting and transmission electronics. Where an automatic transmission controller is not fitted, its dedicated circuit may be unoccupied.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 20 | Main radiator cooling fan |
| 21 | 20 | Secondary radiator cooling fan |
| 22 | 20 | Heated rear window |
| 23 | 15 | Hazard warning lamps and horn |
| 24 | 15 | Instrument cluster and SRS warning indicator |
| 25 | 10 | Automatic transmission control module, where equipped |
| 26 | 10 | Alternator and charging circuit |
| 27 | 15 | Right-hand headlamp |
| 28 | 15 | Left-hand headlamp |
| 29 | 20 | Main exterior lighting switch |
| 30 | 15 | Clock and interior lighting |
Engine, gearbox and equipment variations
The 2.0-litre petrol range, automatic gearbox and optional fog lamps, heated seats, windscreen wiper de-icer and luggage-compartment accessory socket can change fuse occupancy. Fuse 13 (15 A) is assigned to the windscreen de-icer on equipped cars. Fuse 19 (20 A) relates to rear power accessories and seat heating in the source configuration. Before working on a vehicle for another market, cross-check the actual panel legend.
Cigarette lighter, wipers, audio and cooling-fan faults
12 V lighter and mirrors: Check cabin fuse 4 (20 A). Radio and clock: Check cabin fuse 9 (15 A). Wipers and washers: Cabin fuse 15 (20 A) protects the front and rear wiper circuits, with other components such as switches and motors requiring inspection if it remains intact.
Engine cooling: Fuses 20 and 21 (20 A each) independently protect the main and secondary radiator fan circuits. If one fan does not run, check its fuse and the relevant fan relay and temperature control wiring before replacing the motor.
Forester SF versus later models
The successor Forester SG, introduced in 2002/2003 depending on market, uses a revised distribution system and does not share all these fuse numbers. Among compact four-wheel-drive vehicles from a comparable era, the Toyota RAV4 I XA10 (1994-1997) also has its own separate fuse diagrams. Always use the model-specific wiring layout.
Technical basis: Subaru Forester SF owner’s manual (2002) and first-generation 1997-2002 fuse box drawings. Equipment and regional variations may differ.