Fuses behind drivers side instrument panel

[conbo3]

On page 347 of my 09 Corolla Owners Manual it shows the fuse box that resides inside the passenger compartment. Standing on my head and peering UP from my floor mat I do see a fuse box, above a very sturdy cable of wires. Very formidable challenge to change a fuse from that direction? Would need to tug cabled wires away from the box (going to disconnect SOMETHING if I horse on that cable!) in order to get into the fuse box.

On page 348 the manual shows the 'drivers side instument panel' being removed with the caption "Remove the instrument panel". I guess, translated into American English this reads "if you don't know what you're doing LEAVE THIS ALONE"?

I cannot figure how to remove this panel, which would seem to be a more sensible way to access the fuse box than from beneath. Has anyone here ever changed a fuse in this box, or removed that 'drivers side instrument panel'? Any tips?

[toyomoho]

Is there an ash tray in front of the fuse box that can be removed to gain access.

Is there is smaller removable section of instrument panel in the area.

[conbo3]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

Is there an ash tray in front of the fuse box that can be removed to gain access.

Is there is smaller removable section of instrument panel in the area.

There is indeed an ashtray. Squeezing the upper edges of the ash tray allows it to swing out. The lower edge of the tray doesn't seem to be detachable. Just freeing the top edge of the tray doesn't allow any access to what lies behind. It would be a mighty small access hole even if the ash tray came all the way out.

[JohnO356]

You don't remove the large section of dash. Look from underneath and you will see a small plastic section that comes off revealing the fuses. Best way I can think of to describe it is: think of the battery cover on a TV remote, it's similar to that.

My grandson has the car so I can't go out and look to refresh my memory and get more descriptive.

Anyway, the manual lost something in translation, lol.

[conbo3]

Originally Posted by JohnO356

You don't remove the large section of dash. Look from underneath and you will see a small plastic section that comes off revealing the fuses. Best way I can think of to describe it is: think of the battery cover on a TV remote, it's similar to that.

I did see that item, 'looking from beneath'. But it seems a fairly impossible task for a consumer to change a fuse from there. And, as I mentioned, access from that direction is blocked by a substantial cable that would need to be moved out of the way, at least on my vehicle.

[JohnO356]

I just went out and looked at mine to refresh my memory. It's as I described, with the fuse layout printed on it. It just pops off and exposes the fuses. I had to replace a fuse for the windshield washer and it was no problem, just a little more difficult to see than if the fuses were "up on top". Don't pull the piece off your dash, that won't do any good at all.

[conbo3]

Originally Posted by JohnO356

I just went out and looked at mine to refresh my memory. It's as I described, with the fuse layout printed on it. It just pops off and exposes the fuses. I had to replace a fuse for the windshield washer and it was no problem, just a little more difficult to see than if the fuses were "up on top". Don't pull the piece off your dash, that won't do any good at all.

Did yours have a cable harness blocking that fuse box?

[JohnO356]

There's a cable harness just at the front side of the fuse cover. I don't remember if I moved it out of the way or not.