Volkswagen Golf IV (Typ 1J, 1997-2003) uses a 44-position passenger compartment fuse box, an additional high-current block mounted on top of the 12 V battery, and relay carriers underneath the driver’s dashboard. Golf IV Variant and certain markets continued beyond 2003, but their fuse assignments may differ. The base circuit table below reflects an early factory reference (December 1997) with engine- and equipment-specific variations noted.
All 90 source table entries are preserved across five tables, including unused locations, alternative petrol/diesel ratings, the engine power and cooling system, and under-dash supplementary relays. Three original diagrams, including a 1600 x 1425 pixel battery fuse illustration, are retained. Do not apply another generation’s current rating without checking the installed car.
Where are the Volkswagen Golf IV fuse boxes?
Cabin: switch off ignition, open the driver’s door and remove the plastic trim at the end of the dashboard. The 44 blade fuses are behind this cover. Engine compartment: the main bolted high-current fuses are under the cover mounted above the 12 V battery. Relays: below the steering column behind lower dashboard trim, on the main and upper supplementary relay carriers. Always identify the actual configuration before pulling a relay or fuse.
Golf IV most frequently checked fuses
Cigarette lighter: cabin 41 (15 A). Radio: 42 (25 A) in the documented base list. Fuel pump: 28 (15 A). Front wipers: 24 (20 A). Rear wiper: 27 (10 A). Horn: 40 (20 A). Use this table only for the documented arrangement.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | 15 | Cigarette lighter |
| 42 | 25 | Radio |
| 28 | 15 | Fuel pump |
| 24 | 20 | Front windscreen wipers |
| 27 | 10 | Rear windscreen wiper |
| 25 | 25 | Ventilation blower / A/C / Climatronic |
| 26 | 20 | Heated rear window |
| 36 | 15 | Fog lamps |
| 40 | 20 | Horn |
| 44 | 15 | Heated seats |
| 12 | 7.5 | OBD diagnostic port |
| 33 | 20 | Headlamp washer system |
Golf IV passenger fuse box, positions 1-44
These 44 positions cover exterior lights, engine management, ABS, power windows and locking, climate, radio and heated seats. Some original positions have alternative ratings for petrol and diesel versions: 29 is 15 A petrol / 10 A diesel, while 32 is 10 A petrol / 15 A diesel. Fuse 17 is unused in the base diagram. Even on a similar Mk4, optional equipment can alter population.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Heated windscreen washer jets |
| 2 | 10 | Turn indicators |
| 3 | 5 | Glove compartment lighting |
| 4 | 5 | Licence-plate lighting |
| 5 | 7.5 | Comfort electronics, cruise control, Climatronic and front heated-seat controllers |
| 6 | 5 | Central locking |
| 7 | 10 | Reversing lamps |
| 8 | 5 | Telephone |
| 9 | 5 | ABS |
| 10 | 10 | Petrol engine management in base layout; later year and engine variants differ |
| 11 | 5 | Instrument cluster and automatic transmission selector interlock |
| 12 | 7.5 | OBD diagnostic socket and telephone supply |
| 13 | 10 | Brake lamps |
| 14 | 10 | Interior lighting and central locking; some versions have a separate 5 A interior lighting supply |
| 15 | 5 | Instrument cluster and automatic gearbox |
| 16 | 10 | A/C electromagnetic clutch and radiator fan after-run |
| 17 | – | Unused in the basic configuration |
| 18 | 10 | Right high-beam headlamp |
| 19 | 10 | Left high-beam headlamp |
| 20 | 10 | Right dipped-beam headlamp and beam levelling |
| 21 | 10 | Left dipped-beam headlamp |
| 22 | 5 | Right parking/position lamp |
| 23 | 5 | Left parking/position lamp |
| 24 | 20 | Front windscreen wipers and washers |
| 25 | 25 | Fresh-air blower, recirculation, A/C and Climatronic |
| 26 | 20 | Heated rear window; heated mirrors on vehicles without electric windows |
| 27 | 10 | Rear window wiper |
| 28 | 15 | Fuel pump |
| 29 | 15 / 10 | Engine management: 15 A petrol or 10 A diesel |
| 30 | 20 | Electric sunroof |
| 31 | 20 | Automatic transmission |
| 32 | 10 / 15 | Engine management and fuel injectors: 10 A petrol or 15 A diesel |
| 33 | 20 | Headlamp washer system |
| 34 | 10 | Engine management |
| 35 | 30 | Trailer electrical socket; later equipment variants may differ |
| 36 | 15 | Front and rear fog lamps |
| 37 | 10 | S-contact supply after key insertion, radio and instrument functions by model year |
| 38 | 15 | Boot lighting and central locking |
| 39 | 15 | Hazard warning lights |
| 40 | 20 | Dual-tone horn |
| 41 | 15 | Cigarette lighter / 12 V socket |
| 42 | 25 | Radio; on some versions also amplifier or factory navigation |
| 43 | 10 | Engine management |
| 44 | 15 | Heated seats |
Golf IV battery-top high-current fuses
The battery block carries eight documented S-numbered fuses. S162 and S163 are 50 A engine and preheating supplies; S164 is 30 or 40 A depending on cooling system; S176 is 110 A cabin electrical power; S177 is a 110 or 150 A alternator fuse, depending on alternator output; S178-S180 protect ABS and cooling-fan circuits. These large fuses and terminals should be serviced following the manufacturer repair procedure.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| S162 | 50 | Engine preheating system, glow plugs or additional heating depending on diesel engine |
| S163 | 50 | Engine management; on selected diesels fuel pump or glow-plug relay circuit |
| S164 | 30 / 40 | Radiator cooling fan and fan control: 30 A in the 12.97 factory chart, 40 A in later variants |
| S176 | 110 | Main interior electrical system and relay panel supply |
| S177 | 110 / 150 | Alternator: 110 A fuse with a 90 A alternator or 150 A with a 120 A alternator |
| S178 | 30 | ABS hydraulic pump |
| S179 | 30 | ABS control system |
| S180 | 30 | Radiator fan |
Volkswagen Golf IV main under-dashboard relay positions
Relay sockets 1-4 include horn, load reduction, unused and fuel-pump positions. V and VI support windscreen wiper operation, with different relay types for rain sensor and headlamp washer equipment. Fuse locations A, B and C are also present on the main carrier in certain versions.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | Dual-tone horn relay, often relay type 53 |
| 2 | – | Terminal X load reduction relay, often type 18 |
| 3 | – | Unused in base configuration |
| 4 | – | Fuel pump relay, commonly type 167; on diesel models a glow-plug relay may occupy this area |
| V | – | Windscreen wiper and washer control position, equipment dependent |
| VI | – | Intermittent wiper relay 377 without headlamp washers, 378 with washers, or rain-sensing relay 192 |
| A | – | Powered seat adjustment fuse |
| B | – | Unused position |
| C | – | Power windows, central locking and heated mirrors fuse on equipped cars |
Golf IV supplementary 13-position relay carrier
Optional relays include fog lamps, tailgate release, starter interlock, telephone, EPC, daytime running lights, cooling fans, alarm and terminal 30 supply. The extra D, E, F and G locations are listed with the source’s unused positions and separate anti-theft alarm circuits. These positions are not part of the 44-position cabin fuse box.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | Fog lamp relay, type 53 |
| 2 | – | Remote tailgate opening relay, type 79 |
| 3 | – | Starter interlock relay, type 185 |
| 4 | – | Unused |
| 5 | – | Unused in base configuration |
| 6 | – | Telephone relay, type 147 |
| 7 | – | Electronic power control EPC relay, type 94, with possible variant uses |
| 8 | – | Daytime running light relay, type 173 |
| 9 | – | Taxi alarm controller; also a fuel pump relay on some diesel Syncro variants |
| 10 | – | Taxi alarm controller; on certain US models TDI OBD-II glow-plug relay 180 |
| 11 | – | Starter interlock and reversing light relay, type 175 |
| 12 | – | Terminal 30 supply relay, type 109 |
| 13 | – | Radiator cooling fan relay 53 or after-run relay 181 |
| D | – | Unused |
| E | – | Rear electric window fuse |
| F | 15 | DWA anti-theft alarm turn-signal supply, 15 A |
| G | 15 | DWA anti-theft alarm horn supply, 15 A |
Golf IV fuse box FAQ
Which fuse protects the cigarette lighter?
Fuse 41, 15 A in the documented passenger compartment chart.
Where are the fuel pump fuse and relay?
Cabin fuse 28, 15 A, and a fuel pump relay commonly on position 4 of the main relay board in petrol models.
Which fuse controls the front wipers?
Passenger compartment position 24, 20 A in the base reference. Relay function depends on rain sensor and headlamp washer equipment.
Are all 1997-2006 Golf IV fuse ratings identical?
No. Hatchback, Variant, country, engine and model year differences can affect installation. Verify the correct factory manual and fuse card.
For a later generation, see the Volkswagen Golf V fuse and relay diagram, followed by the Golf VII reference. The fuse configurations are not directly interchangeable.
Never bridge a fuse or fit a higher amperage to cure repeated fuse failure. Check for shorts, damaged wiring, failed sockets and unsuitable accessories.