I have searched far and wide, but I need step by step help to remove the panel covering the interior driver side fuse box in my ‘08. There is a knob you turn, but the panel is still very tight, and I don’t want to force it without knowing the safe way to do so. Can’t stand breaking tabs or clips, etc. Any help would be much appreciated. The only info I’ve seen is very vague. I am planning on plugging into the empty 12v illumination socket and need access. Thank you all very much!

 

Nevermind! I got underneath (no easy feat) and found the fuse box.

 

Yeah, as you discovered, don't have to remove that cover with knob under steering rack to get to fuses.

But if you ever have to remove cover for something else, you just turn that knob, then pull cover off.

Sometimes interior pieces held on by these pull clips get tight and require a lot of force to remove. The first time. Afterwards gets easier. Clips kinda break in and loosen up once you get them off.

The concern though is if it takes enough force that the part breaks. Plastic gets more brittle with age.

Perhaps a car that has never had panels off (for maintenance or mods) more prone to breaking when panels eventually have to be removed.

One thought, if first time removing panels, definitely don't try if its at all cold.

 

Thank you for sharing your experience, I plan on using an illuminated mirror on a stick (I found it at a store when I was visiting the UK once). I need to remove the DRL fuse, despite many folks telling me they are a safety feature, as I absolutely hate how they look and age the car, and perhaps find out why the center light cluster is not functioning? Perhaps the shipper pulled the fuse?

Good to know that I do not have to remove anything, I had to become a contortionist to do some work on my MX5, I believe the same applies here

Thank you.

 

Age the car? Old cars lack DRLs -- or is it your intention to look old? Your car.

DRLs are not considered enough of a safety feature in the USA -- unlike much of the world -- to mandate them. Me? I'm happy my S2000 has DRLs. Looks newer for one thing and the S2000 is small and other drivers are often inattentive. Any visibility advantage helps. A couple of years ago I went into my Ford's computer system and activated the DRLs. Different high beam color temperature will also change the cosmetics of the S2000 DRLs if you're really concerned with appearance.

-- Chuck

 

I would not mind LEDs in there. My 2005 does not have them while my 2008 does, I guess we agree to disagree on the looks, but will removing the DRL fuse deactivate them? If I change the color temps, does the bulb have to specify “dimmable” so they won’t have a problem with being a DRL and a high beam? Assuming I would try that out before I pull the plug

 

No experience with LEDs in the S2000 high beams but have put in brighter halogens.

As for the DRLs just pull the fuse and let us know what happens. It's #14 on my USA 2006 model and, according to the Owners Manual, is the only thing on that fuse.

-- Chuck

 

Just realized we went thru the "DRL Haters" topic back in January. Surprised you brought it up again. But, alas, some days I have the memory retention of a chipmunk.

-- Chuck

 

I guess thats how much I hate them then , Mine is a US 2008, and I plan on yanking that fuse out next weekend, will let you know if the car explodes. Struggling with the dome light, fuse is good, have no clue where to look.

 

I did put LEDs in the dome light from a source I found here. LEDs are polarity sensitive so will only work one way in the fixture so that may be the case in your car. I put LEDs in the backup/reversing lights of both the S2000 and Ford Expedition to aid backing into my driveway -- direct replacements.

Living on the edge of the city area where the road just plunges into complete darkness in certain sections I want/need a lot of headlight. S2000 with brighter halogen high beam bulbs made this much nicer. Their useful life is less according to their specs but they've lasted for years.

At reduced power even the brighter halogens are a bit yellow when used as DRLs.






-- Chuck