Dacia Sandero Fuel Cut-Off Switch Location & Reset Guide

Dacia Sandero fuel cut-off switch location: Behind the passenger-side glove box, on the firewall. Look for a cylindrical device with a red reset button.
Reset: Press the button firmly until it clicks. Turn ignition ON for 10 seconds, then start.

Engine cranks fine but the Dacia Sandero won't start? Had a bump, hit a serious pothole, or got a knock in a car park?

Nine times out of ten, this is the fuel cut-off switch — the inertia switch Dacia fits to cut fuel pump power on impact. It's a safety device that works perfectly, but it also trips on rough roads and needs a manual reset before the engine will start again.

Let's dive right in.

Exact Location on Dacia Sandero

The Dacia Sandero fuel cut-off switch is mounted behind the passenger-side glove box, on the firewall — the metal bulkhead between the cabin and the engine bay.

The switch is a small cylindrical or rectangular plastic unit with a red reset button on top. When it has been tripped, the button will be in the raised (popped-up) position rather than sitting flush.

On right-hand-drive Sandero models (UK, Ireland, Australia, South Africa), the passenger is on the LEFT — so the glove box and switch are on the left side of the cabin.

How to Access the Dacia Sandero Inertia Switch

1. Open the passenger door and fully open the glove box
2. Press in both sides of the glove box firmly to release the stop tabs — this lets the box drop down fully, opening up the cavity behind it
3. Shine a torch behind the glove box toward the firewall — the switch is mounted there, usually on the right side of the cavity (toward the centre console)
4. The switch is a small plastic unit with a red button on top and an electrical connector on the bottom or side
5. You may also find it by removing the lower kick panel trim on the passenger side — the plastic panel at the base of the dashboard. This usually clips off without tools on the Sandero.

The Sandero shares its platform and many components with the Renault Clio, so the switch location is essentially identical between the two models.

How to Reset the Dacia Sandero Fuel Cut-Off Switch

1. Check for fuel leaks first. Smell around the engine bay and look under the car for any fuel on the ground. If you smell petrol strongly or see a wet patch, do NOT reset — get the car recovered.
2. Press the red button firmly downward until you feel it click into the reset position. It should stay depressed.
3. Turn the ignition to ON (dashboard lights on, engine not started). Hold for 10 seconds — you should hear the fuel pump prime briefly.
4. Try to start the engine. It may need 2–3 cranking attempts as the fuel system re-pressurises.

If the button springs back up immediately after pressing, the switch has failed internally. A replacement inertia switch for the Dacia Sandero costs €12–€25 and is a simple plug-and-swap replacement.

Sandero Still Won't Start After Resetting?

You've reset the switch correctly but the Sandero still won't fire:

• No fuel pump hum on ignition ON? Check the fuel pump fuse in the engine bay fuse box (check your owner's manual for the exact fuse number — it varies between Sandero I and Sandero II). Also check the fuel pump relay.
• Engine cranks but fires briefly then dies? This may be the immobiliser. Lock and unlock the car with the key fob, wait 30 seconds, then try again.
• Scan for fault codes with an OBD2 scanner — a failed crankshaft position sensor logs P0335 or P0336 and produces a no-start that looks exactly like a tripped inertia switch.
• Check fuel level: The Sandero fuel gauge can read slightly optimistically when nearly empty.

Dacia Duster and Dacia Logan

The Dacia Duster and Dacia Logan share the same Renault-Dacia platform family as the Sandero. The fuel cut-off switch is in the same general location on both models:

• Dacia Duster: Passenger side, behind or adjacent to the glove box on the firewall. Access by dropping the glove box using the same press-in-sides method.
• Dacia Logan / Logan MCV estate: Same location — passenger side, behind the glove box. On the Logan MCV (estate), the switch is in the same cabin location, not in the boot.

See also our complete fuel cut-off switch guide for 20+ car makes including Renault Clio, Peugeot 206/307, Ford Fiesta, and Vauxhall Movano.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the fuel cut-off switch on a Dacia Sandero?

Behind the passenger-side glove box, on the firewall. Drop the glove box down fully (press both sides in to release the stops) and look toward the firewall — the switch has a red button on top. On right-hand-drive models, it's behind the left-side glove box.

How do I reset the Dacia Sandero fuel cut-off switch?

Check for fuel leaks first. Press the red button firmly until it clicks. Turn ignition to ON for 10 seconds to prime the fuel pump, then start. You may need 2–3 cranking attempts.

Does the Dacia Sandero II (2012–2020) have the same switch location?

Yes. Both Sandero I (2008–2012) and Sandero II (2012–2020) have the inertia switch behind the passenger glove box. The Sandero III (2021+) also follows the same convention, though access may differ slightly as the dashboard design changed.

Can the Dacia Sandero fuel cut-off switch trip on rough roads?

Yes. A severe pothole, hard kerb impact, or rough track can trip the switch, especially on older higher-mileage vehicles where the spring can become more sensitive. If the Sandero refuses to start intermittently after rough driving, check the inertia switch first.