Fuel Cut-Off Switch Location Guide: 20+ Car Makes (With Photos)

Engine cranks. Car won't start. You hit a pothole or had a minor bump — and now nothing.

Nine times out of ten, this is the fuel cut-off switch. It's a safety device that shuts off the fuel pump on impact — and it needs to be manually reset before your engine will start again.

The problem? Finding the thing is half the battle. Every manufacturer hides it somewhere different.

In this guide I'll show you exactly where the fuel cut-off switch (also called the fuel inertia switch or fuel pump shut-off switch) is located on the most popular car makes — with specific locations for Ford, Peugeot, Vauxhall/Opel, Dacia, Renault, Citroen, VW, Toyota, Honda, and many more.

Let's dive right in.

What is a Fuel Cut-Off Switch?

The fuel cut-off switch (also known as the inertia switch or fuel pump emergency shut-off switch) is a safety device installed by most car manufacturers to prevent fuel from being pumped in the event of a crash.

When a vehicle experiences a sudden impact — even a hard pothole, a parking bump, or a fender bender — the switch activates and cuts power to the fuel pump. Your engine may stop immediately, or it may crank normally but refuse to start the next time you try.

The switch looks like a small cylindrical device with a colored button (usually red or yellow) on top. Resetting it is simple — you just push the button down. But first you have to find it.

How to Tell if Your Inertia Switch is Tripped

• Engine cranks normally but won't start after an impact or bump
• You can hear the fuel pump prime briefly when you turn the ignition on (two-second hum) — if the switch is tripped, you won't hear this sound
• No other obvious electrical problems, all warning lights normal

Before resetting the switch: check for fuel leaks under the car. If you smell fuel or see a leak, do NOT reset the switch. The safety system activated for a reason.

How to Reset the Fuel Cut-Off Switch

1. Locate the switch (see your car's section below)
2. Inspect for fuel leaks first
3. Press the colored button firmly until it clicks down
4. Turn the ignition to ON (don't start) and wait 10 seconds — the fuel pump should prime
5. Try starting the engine. You may need 2–3 attempts for fuel pressure to build up

Ford Fuel Cut-Off Switch Location

Ford Fiesta (all generations)

The inertia switch on the Ford Fiesta is located behind the glove compartment on the passenger side. Open the glove box, press in the sides to drop it down fully, and look behind it for a cylindrical device with a red or yellow button. This applies to Fiesta models from the late 1990s through 2019.

Ford Focus (Mk1, Mk2, Mk3)

Same location as the Fiesta — behind the passenger glove box. On the Mk3 Focus, it may be slightly further back and harder to reach. A torch (flashlight) helps.

Ford Ka

Located behind the carpet on the passenger side footwell, near the base of the dashboard. You may need to pull back the carpet to find it.

Ford Transit (van)

On the Transit, check the driver's side — behind or below the kick panel next to the driver's door, near the footwell. Some Transit models have it under the carpet in the driver's footwell.

Peugeot Fuel Cut-Off Switch Location

Peugeot 307

The fuel cut-off switch on the Peugeot 307 is located behind the glove box on the passenger side. Open the glove box and look to the left side toward the dashboard. The switch is a small cylindrical unit with a red button. Position: approximately at knee height on the right side of the glove box cavity.

Peugeot 206

On the Peugeot 206, the inertia switch is located under the carpet on the passenger side footwell, toward the front. Lift the carpet in the passenger footwell — the switch is mounted to the floor pan or the kick panel area.

Peugeot 207 / 208

Similar to the 206 — passenger footwell, under the carpet. On the 207, some versions have it behind the glove box instead.

Peugeot 308 / 407

Passenger side, behind the glove box or in the footwell. Check both locations. The 308 from 2007+ often has it on the right side of the firewall behind the dashboard trim.

Peugeot Expert (van)

On the Expert/Traveller van, the switch is typically located on the driver's side near the base of the B-pillar, behind the door sill trim. Remove the lower trim panel for access.

Vauxhall / Opel Fuel Cut-Off Switch Location

Vauxhall Movano / Opel Movano

The Vauxhall Movano fuel cut-off switch is located in the engine bay, not in the passenger compartment — this is different from most cars. Look on the passenger side of the engine compartment, near the firewall, typically attached to the inner wing. It has a red reset button on top.

Vauxhall / Opel Combo

The Combo inertia switch is behind the passenger kick panel (the trim panel at the base of the passenger door opening). Remove the lower kick panel trim and you'll find the switch mounted to the bulkhead.

Vauxhall Astra / Opel Astra

Passenger side footwell, under or behind the lower dashboard trim. On some versions it may be accessible from inside the glove box.

Vauxhall Corsa / Opel Corsa

Behind the passenger lower kick panel or under the passenger footwell carpet. The exact location varies by generation (C, D, E).

Dacia / Renault Fuel Cut-Off Switch Location

Dacia Sandero (all generations)

The Dacia Sandero fuel cut-off switch is located behind the passenger glove box. Remove the glove box (two screws on most versions) and the switch is visible on the firewall behind it, with a red reset button.

Dacia Duster

Same location as the Sandero — behind the glove box on the passenger side.

Renault Clio / Megane

Passenger side footwell area or behind the glove box, depending on generation. The Clio III and Megane III both use a firewall-mounted switch behind the glove box.

Citroen Fuel Cut-Off Switch Location

Citroen Relay (van)

Similar to the Peugeot Expert (same platform) — driver's side, near the B-pillar base, behind the door sill trim.

Citroen Berlingo / C3 / C4

Passenger side, behind the lower kick panel or glove box area. The Berlingo van version often has it behind the driver's side panel.

Other Makes

VW Golf / Polo / Passat

Volkswagen does not typically use a conventional inertia switch. VW uses the fuel pump relay and ECU to cut fuel in an accident. If your VW won't start after a bump, check the fuel pump relay and fuses rather than looking for an inertia switch.

Toyota (Corolla, Yaris, RAV4)

Toyota vehicles generally do not use a manual inertia switch. Toyota's fuel cutoff is electronic via the ECU. Check for stored codes if your Toyota won't start after an impact.

Honda (Civic, Accord, CR-V)

Honda also uses electronic fuel cutoff without a manual reset switch. If a Honda won't start after an accident, check for codes and inspect the main relay.

Nissan (Micra, Juke, Qashqai)

Older Nissan models (pre-2000) have an inertia switch in the boot/trunk area. Newer models use ECU-based cutoff. On older Nissans, check behind the trim panel in the boot near the spare wheel.

Subaru (Legacy, Outback, Impreza)

Subaru uses an ECU-based system on most models. On older Subaru models, there may be an inertia switch in the passenger footwell. Check behind the lower kick panel trim.

Fiat (500, Punto, Ducato)

Fiat 500: passenger side footwell, behind the lower trim. Fiat Ducato van: engine bay or driver's side firewall area.

See also: What are the symptoms of a weak fuel pump? And if you're seeing ABS codes alongside your no-start, check our guide on C0561 traction control codes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every car have a fuel cut-off switch?

No. Most Ford, Peugeot, Vauxhall/Opel, Dacia, Renault, and Citroen vehicles use a manual inertia switch. VW, Toyota, Honda, and most modern cars use electronic fuel cutoff via the ECU and don't have a button to reset.

My car has no inertia switch — why won't it start after a crash?

On vehicles without a physical switch, the ECU may store a crash-related fault code that prevents starting. Connect an OBD2 scanner and check for codes. On some vehicles, disconnecting and reconnecting the battery resets the protection.

The reset button won't stay down — what do I do?

If the button springs back up every time you push it, either the switch is faulty or there's still an issue causing it to immediately re-trip. A stuck or worn spring mechanism means the switch needs replacing — they're typically $15–$30.

Can a fuel cut-off switch cause problems without an accident?

Yes. An aging inertia switch can become hypersensitive and trip on rough roads, speed bumps, or even hard braking. If your car intermittently refuses to start — especially after driving on rough surfaces — a partially-tripped inertia switch is a suspect.

How to bypass inertia switch temporarily?

You can bridge the switch terminals to bypass it, but this is only a temporary diagnostic step — not a permanent solution. Running without a fuel safety cutoff is dangerous and not recommended.