Volkswagen Passat B4 (3A2 saloon and 3A5 Variant, 1993-1996) uses the CE2 central fuse/relay carrier underneath the dashboard on the driver’s side. It contains 22 main blade-fuse positions, relay sockets 1-12 and further accessory/relay sockets 13-24. The factory fuse assignment differs with engine, climate control, ABS, automatic transmission, estate body, market and option packages.
The tables preserve all 47 original fuse and relay entries from the Polish source, including the separate 50 A diesel glow-plug strip fuse. Circuits at positions 10, 13 and 14 and several upper relay sockets can vary across production and market versions. Always use the label and wiring of the actual vehicle when selecting the correct current rating.
Where is the Volkswagen Passat B4 fuse box?
Switch off the ignition, remove the key and open the driver’s door. Kneel beside the driver footwell and remove the lower storage tray or knee panel beneath the steering wheel. Behind it is the CE2 fuse and relay carrier with a row of 22 blade fuses and the lower bank of relays. Additional relay positions can sit immediately above the main plate. Refit the panel and its retaining clips after checking; avoid pulling at wiring behind the relay holder.
The large numerals stamped on an individual VW relay case, such as 18, 21, 53, 99 or 109, identify the relay type, not its slot number. Position R11 is not necessarily a relay marked “11”. Some fuse and circuit-breaker holders are fitted into upper relay positions.
Main fuse panel – positions 1-22
The cigarette lighter and main 12 V socket share fuse 21 (15 A) with several interior electrical loads. Fuse 18 (20 A) protects the petrol fuel pump and exhaust oxygen-sensor heater. The left/right dipped and high beams have separate 10 A fuses. On a saloon, the optional rear-wiper function at fuse 4 is normally absent.
Fuse 10: the archived Polish chart lists a 15 A front/rear fog-lamp assignment where fitted; some market-specific factory lists show an empty position. Fuse 13: 10/15 A horn and fan-after-run alternatives. Fuse 14: 10/15 A reversing, mirrors and equipment branches. Do not treat the highest listed rating as a permitted upgrade.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Left dipped-beam headlamp and left beam height adjustment Right dipped-beam headlamp and right beam height adjustment Instrument cluster illumination and number plate lights Variant estate rear wiper, optional sunroof and self-levelling suspension; absent on many saloons Front windscreen wipers and washer; heated washer jets where fitted Cabin fresh-air blower and air conditioning Right-side parking, tail and position lamps Left-side parking, tail and position lamps Heated rear window and heated exterior mirrors Front and rear fog lamps, equipment and market dependent Left high-beam headlamp and blue high-beam warning indicator Right high-beam headlamp Horn and, on some versions, radiator fan after-run control Reverse lights, electric mirrors, heated washer nozzles, heated seats and selected automatic gearbox / cruise control Engine electronics and overrun fuel cut-off / idle speed control depending on engine Instrument cluster, warning indicators and glove compartment lamp Turn indicators and hazard warning lights Fuel pump and oxygen sensor heater on petrol engines Radiator cooling fan and air-conditioning relay Brake lamps and cruise control brake switch Interior and luggage lamps, digital clock, central locking, cigarette lighter / 12 V socket and cluster memory Radio receiver |
| 2 | 10 | Air-conditioning relay Rear window wiper relay on Passat Variant estate Digifant engine management / idle stabilization relay on some petrol engines; otherwise unoccupied X-contact load-reduction relay Low engine coolant warning controller Turn signal and hazard warning flasher relay Headlamp washer relay where equipped, otherwise unoccupied Intermittent front wiper and washer relay Seat belt reminder module, equipment / market dependent Front and rear fog lamp relay where fitted; alternatively unoccupied Horn relay or jumper link with a single-tone horn Petrol fuel pump relay; on some diesel engines, heating or glow-control equipment Automatic transmission reversing lights protected circuit or optional accessories Radiator cooling fan after-run controller ABS hydraulic pump relay ABS control relay Usually empty or special-equipment relay Usually empty or special-equipment relay Air-conditioning relay or 30 A protected feed in some variants Starter-inhibit and reverse lamp relay for automatic transmission ABS hydraulic pump 30 A or electric windows 20 A fuse / circuit-breaker, dependent on equipment ABS valve protection 30 A on fitted systems Cruise control or market-dependent supplementary protection Unoccupied position or special equipment |
| 3 | 10 | Separate 50 A strip fuse S39 for diesel glow plugs, mounted by the bulkhead above brake servo; not part of the 1-22 cabin fuse row |
| 4 | 15 | undefined |
| 5 | 15 | undefined |
| 6 | 20 | undefined |
| 7 | 10 | undefined |
| 8 | 10 | undefined |
| 9 | 20 | undefined |
| 10 | 15 | undefined |
| 11 | 10 | undefined |
| 12 | 10 | undefined |
| 13 | 10 / 15 | undefined |
| 14 | 10 / 15 | undefined |
| 15 | 10 | undefined |
| 16 | 15 | undefined |
| 17 | 10 | undefined |
| 18 | 20 | undefined |
| 19 | 30 | undefined |
| 20 | 10 | undefined |
| 21 | 15 | undefined |
| 22 | 10 | undefined |
Relay carrier – positions R1-R24
R1-R12 are the standard relay sockets. Positions R13-R24 above the plate can hold auxiliary relays, current-limiting devices, or be empty. For example, R21 can carry a 30 A ABS pump fuse or 20 A electric window breaker depending on equipment; R22 can protect the ABS valves at 30 A. A dash in the amp column indicates a relay/module or unknown fuse rating, not permission to fit any fuse.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | – | undefined |
| R2 | – | undefined |
| R3 | – | undefined |
| R4 | – | undefined |
| R5 | – | undefined |
| R6 | – | undefined |
| R7 | – | undefined |
| R8 | – | undefined |
| R9 | – | undefined |
| R10 | – | undefined |
| R11 | – | undefined |
| R12 | – | undefined |
| R13 | – | undefined |
| R14 | – | undefined |
| R15 | – | undefined |
| R16 | – | undefined |
| R17 | – | undefined |
| R18 | – | undefined |
| R19 | 30 | undefined |
| R20 | – | undefined |
| R21 | 20 / 30 | undefined |
| R22 | 30 | undefined |
| R23 | – | undefined |
| R24 | – | undefined |
Diesel glow plugs – separate S39 strip fuse (50 A)
On the 1.9 TDI installation, the glow plug power circuit has a separate 50 A strip fuse S39 near the engine-bay bulkhead, typically above the brake servo. It is not included in the main dashboard row 1-22. With the ignition off and the manufacturer’s isolation procedure followed, inspect the strip, its threaded terminals and the holder for heat damage. Poor contact can interrupt preheating even when the metal strip is not visibly broken.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| S39 | 50 | undefined |
Practical checks for Passat B4
No power at the cigarette lighter: check fuse 21 (15 A) and remove any metal particles from the socket. Heated rear window or mirrors do not warm: inspect fuse 9 (20 A) and the associated wiring. A single failed mirror heater will not necessarily blow the shared fuse.
Petrol engine cranks but does not start: inspect fuse 18 (20 A), fuel pump relay R12 and injection power feeds according to the engine code. Rear wiper on a Variant does not work: inspect fuse 4 (15 A), relay R2 and the tailgate wiring; the corresponding circuit may be absent in a saloon.
ABS warning: check the fitted R15, R16, R21 and R22 positions without assuming every car has the same protection. Cold starting on a diesel: S39 (50 A) and the glow relay are more relevant than the petrol fuel pump circuit. An incorrect fuse or improvised bridge can damage the harness and electronics.
The later Volkswagen Passat B5 (1996-2005) uses a different fuse distribution and wiring architecture. The older B3 shares the CE2 concept, but several relay slots changed with equipment and production year.