The Alfa Romeo 145 and 146 were two small family cars produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1994 and 2000. The cars were available as three and five-door hatchbacks and were designed by Walter de Silva, who later went on to design the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo. The Alfa Romeo 145 and 146 were popular for their sporty driving experience and distinctive Italian styling.
As with any car, the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146 had various electrical components that were essential to the functioning of the vehicle. One of the key components in the electrical system of these cars is the fuse box and relay. In this article, we will explore the fuse box and relay of the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146, and the importance of these components in the overall performance of the car.
The Fuse Box of the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146
The fuse box of the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146 is located in the dashboard on the driver’s side of the car. It contains fuses that protect the electrical system of the vehicle from overloading and short-circuits. The fuses are made of a metal wire that melts when it is exposed to an excessive electrical load, thereby breaking the circuit and protecting the electrical components from damage.
It is essential to ensure that the correct type of fuse is used when replacing a blown fuse in the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146. The owner’s manual of the car provides information on the correct rating of fuses to be used in each circuit. Using a fuse with a higher rating than recommended can result in damage to the electrical components, while using a lower rating can cause the fuse to blow prematurely, resulting in a loss of power to the affected circuit. Regular inspection and replacement of faulty fuses is important to ensure the proper functioning of the electrical system.
The Relay of the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146
The relay of the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146 is an electrical component that acts as a switch for various systems in the car. It is responsible for controlling the flow of electricity to the different circuits in the car. The relay works by using an electromagnet to activate a set of contacts, which then allows electricity to flow through the circuit.
One of the critical relays in the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146 is the starter relay, which is responsible for starting the car’s engine. It is located in the engine compartment and is activated by the ignition switch. Other relays in the car include the fuel pump relay, cooling fan relay, and horn relay, among others.
(1994-2000) Alfa Romeo 145 and 146 fuse box and relay with Diagram
Fuse Box on the Dashboard (Type 1)
| No. | Amps | Assignment/Designation |
| 1 | 7.5A | 1) Dim-Dip |
| 30A | 2) Heated seats | |
| 2 | 25A | Front power windows |
| 3 | 7.5A | 1) Direction indicators, Front power windows, Compressor control, Engine fan timer, Luggage compartment opening control |
| 20A | Heated rear screen, Heated rear screen warning light, Mirror defrosting | |
| 20A | 3) Interior roof lamps and boot light, Clock, Radio receiver, Boot release button, Air conditioner compressor | |
| 4 | 10A | Hazard warning lights, Anti-theft device |
| 5 | 20A | Door locking device |
| 6 | 25A | 1) Horns, Cigar lighter, Stop lights, Radio |
| 20A | 2) Horns | |
| 7 | 30A | 2) Lever unit supply, Cluster, Check panel, Boot opening, Front power window, Wing mirror adjustment, Air Bag, Air recirculation, Compressor control, EGR (TD), ABS, Radiotelephone, Additional heating control unit (JTD) |
| 8 | 15A | 1) Instrument cluster, Windscreen-headlamp washer pump, Reversing lights, Airbag, Wing mirror adjustment, Clock, Check panel, Alfa Romeo Code system, EGR |
| 15A | 2) Clock, inner roof lights, Instrument cluster, Door locking remote control, Radio, Radiotelephone | |
| 15A | 1) Rear screen wiper, Compressor control unit (TD), Radiator fan (TD and T.SPARK), Heated seats | |
| 9 | 10A | 1) Right rear sidelight, Left number plate light, Left front sidelight, Sidelight warning light, Cluster lighting, Controls lighting |
| 10A | 2) Right front side light and corresponding warning light, Left rear side light, Right number plate light, Left trailer side light, Instrument cluster, Controls lighting | |
| 10 | 10A | 1) Clock, Interior lighting, Instrument cluster, Door lock remote control |
| 10A | 2) ABS system | |
| 11 | 30A | 1) Heated seats |
| 7.5A | 2) Engine fan, CODE control unit, i.e. control unit, i.e. control unit (JTD), Compressor control unit (TD) | |
| 7.5A | 3) Alfa Romeo Code system (T.SPARK engines), Engine cooling radiator fan, Injection system | |
| 12 | 30A | 1) Engine fan (Boxer) |
| 7.5A | 2) Door locking and alarm relay, TELEPASS supply | |
| 7.5A | 3) Direction indicators | |
| 13 | 30A | Electric sunroof |
| 14 | 25A | Rear power windows |
| 15 | 7.5A | 1) Rear fog guard (car and trailer), Fog guard warning light |
| 16 | 15A | Right high beam headlamp |
| 17 | 15A | Left high beam headlamp, High beam warning light |
| 18 | 20A | Windscreen wiper, heated seats |
| 19 | 25A | 3) Glove box light, Front power windows, Rear power windows, Rear screen heating, Door mirror adjustment, Sunroof, Air conditioner compressor, Load cut off during starting |
| 10A | 2) Cigar lighter | |
| 10A | Heated rear screen relay | |
| 20 | 10A | 1) Instrument cluster lighting, Control lighting, Left rear sidelight, Right number plate light, Right front sidelight, Sidelights warning light |
| 10A | 2) Cigar lighter, Left front side light, Right rear side light, Left number plate light, Right trailer side light, Fog lamps and corresponding warning light, Front power windows, Rear power windows, Door mirror adjustment, Radio | |
| 21 | 20A | 1) Heater, fan |
| 30A | 2) Heater, fan | |
| 22 | 20A | Fog lamps, Fog lamp warning light |
| 23 | 10A | 1) Right low beam headlamp, Headlamp aiming device |
| 10A | 2) Left low beam headlamp | |
| 24 | 10A | 1) Left low beam headlamp |
| 10A | 2) Right low beam headlamp, Headlamp aiming device | |
| Relay | ||
| A | Sunroof relay | |
| B | Rear fog guard control unit | |
| C | 1) Rear fog guard relay 2) Sunroof relay | |
| D | High beam headlamp relay | |
| E | Key-operated supply relay | |
| F | Fog lamp relay | |
| G | Low beam headlamp relay | |
| H | Heated rearscreen relay | |
| I | Door locking control unit | |
| L | Horn relay | |
| M | Sidelights relay | |
| N | Electronic windscreen wiper intermittence | |
| O | Not used | |
| P | 1) DIM-DIP cut-in relay 2) Engine water cooling fan relay | |
| Q | 1) Engine water cooling fan relay 2) Direction indicators/hazard warning lights relay | |
1)… or 2)… or 3)…
Fuse Box on the Dashboard (Type 2)
| No. | Amps | Assignment/Designation |
| 1 | 10A | Hazard warning lights |
| 2 | 20A | Horns, cigar lighter, stop lights, radio |
| 3 | 20A | Windscreen wiper |
| 4 | 20A | Heated rearscreen |
| 5 | 10A | Instrument cluster lighting, contr,lighting, rear LH sidelights, RH no.plate, front RH sidelight, sidelight warning light |
| 6 | 10A | Rear RH sidelight, LH no.plate, front LH sidelight |
| 7 | 10A | Right low beam headlamp |
| 8 | 10A | Left low beam headlamp |
| 9 | 10A | Right high beam headlamp |
| 10 | 10A | Left high beam headlamp, high beam warning light |
| 11 | 7.5A | Rear fog guard, fog guard warning light |
| 12 | 30A | Heated rearscreen, healed rearscreen warning light |
| 13 | 20A | Heater, fan |
| 14 | 25A | Engine fan |
| 15 | 10A | Instrument cluster, windscr.-hd.lamp washer, rev. lights, airbag, clock, engine fan, ALFA ROMEO CODE |
| 16 | 20A | Clock, interior lighting, instrument cluster, door locks |
| 17 | 7.5A | Direction indicators, compressor control, engine fan timer, sunroof control |
| Relay | ||
| I2 | Heated rearscreen relay | |
| I3 | Horn relay | |
| I25 | Rear fog guard relay | |
| I35 | Key-operated supply relay | |
| I49 | Low beam headlamp relay | |
| I50 | High beam headlamp relay | |
| I64 | Sidelights relay | |
| N14 | Electronic windscreen wiper intermittence | |
* – Location for T.SPARK engines
** – Location for 1.9 JTD engine
| No. | Amps | Assignment/Designation |
| 1 | 10A | Air conditioner compressor |
| 2 | 20A | Headlamp washer |
| 3 | 30A | Power windows and door locking system |
| 4 | 10A | Air bag system, Instrument cluster |
| 5 | 7.5A | Door mirror defrosting |
| 6 | 20A | Alarm system |
| 7 | 7.5A | Alfa Romeo Code system (T.SPARK engines) |
| Relay | ||
| A | Direction indicator timer | |
| B | Fuel oil warming control relay (1.9 JTO only) | |
| C | Headlamp washer relay (optional for versions/markets where applicable) | |
| D | Passenger power window relay | |
| E | Door mirror defrosting device relay (optional for versions/markets where applicable) | |
| F | Tailgate opening relay (optional for versions/markets where applicable) | |
Engine Compartment Fuse Box
| T.SPARK | 1.9 JTD |
| No. | A | Assignment/Designation |
| 1 | 30 | All devices activated with the ignition key at MAR do not work |
| 2 | 40 | Engine cooling radiator fan |
| 3 | 60 | Almost all the electrical systems and components do no work |
| 4 | 60 | Almost all the electrical systems and components do not work |
| 5 | 60 | ABS system |
| 6 | 30 | Electronic injection-ignition system (petrol engines only) |
| 7 | 70 | Additional heater (1.9 JTD version) for versions/markets where applicable |
| 8 | 60 | Glow plugs and resistance on fuel oil filter (1.9 JTD version) |
Additional Fuses (T.SPARK)
| No. | A | Fused component |
| 1 | 15 | Injection system |
| 2 | 15 | Injection system |
| Relay | ||
| A | Main relay | |
| B | Fuel pump and services relay | |
| C | Climate control compressor relay (optional for versions/markets where applicable) | |
| D | Relay for engaging the radiator fan 2nd speed | |
Additional Fuses (1.9 JTD)
For 1.9 JTD engine on a special bracket under the passenger’s side floor trim, in correspondence with the injection control unit, there is a set of fuses and relays.
| No. | A | Fused component |
| 1 | 7.5 | Alfa Romeo Code system |
| 2 | 7.5 | Injection system |
| Relay | ||
| A | Fuel pump relay | |
| B | Injection system relay | |
| No. | A | Fused component |
| 1 | 40 | Engine cooling radiator fan |
| Relay | ||
| A | Relay for engaging the radiator fan 2nd speed (version with heater) | |
| B | Relay for engaging the fan 1st speed | |
| C | Relay for engaging the fan 2nd speed | |
| D | Climate control compressor relay | |
For versions/markets where applicable, for the 1.9 JTD engine, the following relays are to be found in the correspondence of the right headlamp:
- — Additional passenger compartment heater relay 1st level
- — Additional passenger compartment heater relay 2nd level
- — Additional heater safety switch,
In addition, only for versions with air conditioners, on the engine fan duct, there is a switch for the engine fan’s 2nd speed.
In conclusion, the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146 were iconic small family cars that were popular for their sporty driving experience and distinctive Italian styling. However, like any car, these vehicles had various electrical components that were essential to their performance. The fuse box and relay are two critical components of the electrical system, and it is crucial to ensure their proper functioning through regular inspection and replacement of faulty parts.