Volkswagen Passat B5 (1996-2005) has a 44-position driver’s dashboard fuse box and several separate auxiliary fuse/relay carriers. The assignments below mainly describe later production, particularly from May 2002. Earlier 1996-2001 cars may have different circuits and currents. Petrol, V6, TDI, automatic transmission and comfort equipment also affect which relays are installed.
All 112 functional source entries are translated in five tables; two additional single-cell section headings remain visible in the relay tables. Four original fuse/relay images are retained with original WordPress file URLs instead of the earlier 300-pixel thumbnails. The drawings themselves remain limited by their original source resolution.
Where is the Passat B5 fuse box?
With ignition off, open the driver’s door and remove the side dashboard cover. The 44 fuse positions are numbered inside. Extra relays and circuit breakers are behind the lower dashboard trim on the main carrier and its upper or rear auxiliary panels. Match the installed carrier, relay position and year before removal.
Passat B5 44 dashboard fuses
The common later-version assignments include cigarette lighter: 33 (15 A), fuel pump: 28 (20 A), radio: 37 (20 A), front wipers: 24 (25 A), rear window heater: 26 (30 A) and heated seats: 44 (30 A). These are not guaranteed for pre-May 2002 cars.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Heated washer nozzle |
| 2 | 10 | Turn signal system |
| 3 | – | Unused |
| 4 | 5 | Licence plate lights |
| 5 | 10 | Power seats, A/C, telematics, multifunction steering wheel, sunroof, mirror adjusters, HomeLink |
| 6 | 5 | Comfort control module |
| 7 | 10 | ABS, cruise control and engine ECU |
| 8 | 5 | Automatic headlamp levelling |
| 9 | 5 | Parking sensors |
| 10 | 5 | CD changer, telematics, multifunction wheel, navigation and radio |
| 11 | 5 | Power seats with memory |
| 12 | 10 | Diagnostic port permanent battery supply B+ |
| 13 | 10 | Brake lights |
| 14 | 10 | Comfort system control |
| 15 | 10 | Instrument cluster, A/C and automatic gearbox |
| 16 | 5 | ABS and steering angle sensor |
| 17 | 10 15 | Power outlet and telematics |
| 18 | 10 | Right high-beam headlamp |
| 19 | 10 | Left high-beam headlamp |
| 20 | 15 | Right low-beam headlamp |
| 21 | 15 | Left low-beam headlamp |
| 22 | 5 | Right parking lamps |
| 23 | 5 | Left parking lamps |
| 24 | 25 | Windscreen wiper circuit |
| 25 | 30 | Fresh-air blower, air recirculation, A/C and electric sunroof |
| 26 | 30 | Heated rear window |
| 27 | 15 | Rear window wiper |
| 28 | 20 | Fuel pump |
| 29 | 20 | Engine ECU and cooling fan |
| 30 | 20 | Electric sunroof |
| 31 | 15 | Hazard lights, cruise control, automatic transmission, mirrors and diagnostics |
| 32 | 20 | ECM and cruise control |
| 33 | 15 | Cigarette lighter |
| 34 | 15 | Engine ECU and fuel injectors |
| 35 | 30 | Trailer power socket |
| 36 | 15 | Fog lights |
| 37 | 20 | Radio and satellite navigation |
| 38 | 15 | Comfort control module |
| 39 | 15 | Hazard warning circuit |
| 40 | 25 | Dual-tone horn |
| 41 | 25 | Telematics |
| 42 | 25 | ABS |
| 43 | 15 | Engine ECM |
| 44 | 30 | Heated seats |
Passat B5 thirteenfold auxiliary relay carrier
Above the main panel, a carrier holds relays for cooling fans, sunroof, air-conditioning clutch, daytime lights, fog lamps, horn, brake servo and starter interlock. Some market-specific vehicles also have taxi/emergency fuses and rear console or boot 12 V socket supplies. All 13 relay slots, supplementary fuse positions and the main relay carrier entries are preserved.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 13-position supplementary relay carrier above main board | ||
| 1 | – | Cooling fan and A/C relay 373 |
| 2 | – | Sunroof relay 79 |
| 3 | – | Air-conditioning compressor clutch relay 267/384 |
| 4 | – | Daytime running light relay 173 |
| 5 | – | Taxi alarm, high beam and emergency warning relays |
| 6 | – | Gear selector illumination relay |
| 7 | – | Fog lamp relay 381 |
| 8 | – | Multifunction steering wheel electronics 451/452 |
| 9 | – | Multifunction steering wheel electronics 451/452 |
| 10 | – | Brake servo relay 373 |
| 11 | – | Taxi alarm/emergency lighting relay 200 |
| 12 | – | Dual-tone horn relay 53 or taxi alarm relay |
| 13 | – | Park/neutral interlock relay 175 or clutch starter relay 53 |
| Separate fuses on 13-position relay carrier | ||
| A | 25 | Fuse A for taxi equipment |
| B | 20 | Fuse B for taxi equipment |
| B | 10 | Left high-beam headlamp fuse B |
| C | 15 | Fuse C for brake-system vacuum pump |
| D | 20 | Fuse D for rear centre console 12 V power socket |
| E | 5 | Fuse E for taxi equipment |
| E | 10 | Right high-beam headlamp fuse E |
| Main dashboard relay panel | ||
| 1a | – | Dual-tone horn relay 53 |
| 2b | – | Load-reduction relay 370 |
| 3c | – | Unused |
| 4d | – | Fuel pump relay 372/409 |
| V | – | Intermittent wiper/washer relay 377/389 or rain-sensor wiper relay 192 |
| VI | – | Intermittent wiper/washer relay 377/389 or rain-sensor wiper relay 192 |
| Separate fuses on main relay panel | ||
| A | 20 | Luggage compartment 12 V socket 1 |
| B | 20 | Luggage compartment 12 V socket 2 |
| C | 10 | Taxi equipment fuse |
Passat B5 eightfold relay carrier and circuit breakers
The auxiliary relay board can protect cooling fans, ABS/ESP, power windows, powered seats and alarm wiring, with alternative high-current ratings according to installed equipment. Do not replace a thermal breaker with an ordinary fuse.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| Auxiliary 8-position relay carrier | ||
| 1 | – | Unused |
| 2 | – | Unused |
| 3 | – | Cooling fan relay, 80 W |
| 4 | – | Unused |
| 5 | – | First speed radiator fan relay |
| 6 | – | Radiator cooling fan relay |
| 7 | – | ABS with ESP relay |
| 8 | – | Cooling fan control relay |
| Auxiliary relay-carrier fuse and thermal breakers | ||
| 30A | – | ABS hydraulic pump fuse |
| 30A | – | Electric windows fuse |
| 30A 40A 60A | – | Radiator fan high-current fuse, alternative ratings |
| 5A | – | Cooling fan control supply |
| 30A 50A | – | ABS hydraulic pump fuse, alternative ratings |
| 30A | – | Passenger seat resettable circuit breaker |
| 30A | – | Driver power outlet / seat circuit breaker |
| 30A | – | Anti-theft alarm with telematics |
| 15A | – | Anti-theft warning system |
Additional engine circuit fuses and relays
Extra engine protection can cover injectors, the secondary air injection pump, ECM supply, ignition coils and coolant circulation. Factory engine codes and installed relay labels determine the precise assignment.
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| B | 10 | Fuel injector circuit fuse S116 |
| B | 5 | Auxiliary coolant pump fuse |
| D | 50 | Secondary air injection pump fuse S130 |
| E | 40 | Ignition coil thermal fuse S115 |
| F | 5 | ECM supply fuse S102 |
| G | 10 | Engine electronics fuse S282 |
| – | – | Unspecified separator row from source |
| 1 | – | Motronic ECM power relay 167, engine BDP |
| 2 | – | Secondary air pump relay 373/100 |
| 3 | – | Motronic ECU relay 429/219 or additional coolant pump relay 53/411 |
Passat B5 quick fuse lookup
| Pozycja | Amperaż [A] | Chroniony obwód / funkcja |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | 15 | Cigarette lighter, dashboard fuse 33 |
| 37 and 10 | 20 and 5 | Radio/navigation fuse 37 and CD-changer/communications fuse 10 |
| 28, relay 4d | 20 | Fuel pump fuse 28 and engine-specific fuel-pump relay |
| 20 and 21 | 15 each | Left and right dipped-beam headlamps |
| 18 and 19 | 10 each | Left and right main-beam headlamps |
| 24, relay V/VI | 25 | Windscreen wipers and intermittent control relays |
| 42 and hydraulic pump | 25; auxiliary 30/50 | ABS main and auxiliary hydraulic pump fuses |
| 44 | 30 | Heated seat circuit |
Where is the cigarette lighter fuse?
In the documented later layout, dashboard position 33 (15 A). Check the actual fuse label before replacement.
Where is the fuel pump fuse?
Dashboard 28 (20 A), plus an engine-specific fuel pump relay at carrier position 4d in the source.
Which fuses protect the headlights?
Dipped beams at dashboard 20 and 21 (15 A each); high beams at 18 and 19 (10 A each).
Do B5 and B7 share fuse positions?
No. For the next different electrical generation see Volkswagen Passat B7. Also see the separate Golf V and Golf VII models for related reading, not interchangeable fuse numbers.
Use only the factory prescribed current and fuse type, and investigate repeated failures.