Peugeot 308 Fuel Cut-Off Switch Location & Reset (2007-2021)
Drashco
Peugeot 308 fuel cut-off switch (coupe-circuit) location: Passenger-side footwell on T7 / first-gen 308 (2007–2013). Behind the glove box on T9 / second-gen 308 (2013–2021). The third-gen P51 (2021+) uses ECU-controlled crash cut on all trims — no mechanical switch.
Reset: Press the red plunger firmly until it clicks flush. Turn ignition ON for 10 seconds, then start.
The Peugeot 308 inherited the inertia switch system from the 206 and 307, and it sits in exactly the kind of places that get bumped in underground car parks and hard speed bumps. If your 308 suddenly cranks but will not start after a minor incident, this 30-second fix is almost always what you need.
In this guide:
What the Peugeot 308 Inertia Switch Does
The inertia switch (Peugeot calls it the coupe-circuit de pompe à carburant) is a mechanical cut-out wired between the ignition supply and the fuel pump. A weighted ball inside the sealed cylinder is held in a magnetic detent; a sudden deceleration displaces the ball, breaking the circuit and killing power to the pump. Engine runs briefly on rail pressure, then shuts down. It is a passive post-crash safety device preventing fuel spray from ruptured fuel lines.
PSA (Peugeot/Citroën) uses this switch design across 206, 207, 208, 306, 307, 308, Partner, and Berlingo. Location and reset procedure are nearly identical across models. For the cross-make overview, see our master fuel cut-off switch guide for 20+ makes. For the previous generation, see our Peugeot 307 guide.
Location by Generation
| Generation | Years | Location |
| 308 Mk1 (T7) phase 1 | 2007–2011 | Passenger footwell, under the carpet near the firewall. Fold the carpet back from the door sill |
| 308 Mk1 (T7) phase 2 facelift | 2011–2013 | Same as phase 1 — passenger footwell under carpet |
| 308 Mk2 (T9) | 2013–2017 | Behind passenger-side glove box. Drop the glove box to access; switch mounted on firewall |
| 308 Mk2 facelift | 2017–2021 | Same as Mk2 — behind glove box |
| 308 Mk3 (P51) | 2021+ | No mechanical switch — ECU-controlled crash cut via airbag signal |
| 308 HYbrid / e-308 | 2021+ | No fuel inertia switch — BMS handles crash cut for the plug-in hybrid; e-308 has no fuel system |
308 Mk1 — Passenger Footwell
Open the passenger door. Slide the seat all the way back. Fold the carpet back from the door sill, exposing the footwell floor pan. The switch is a small black cylinder mounted low on the firewall or on a bracket bolted to the floor. Red plunger on top. On older Mk1 308s (pre-2011) the switch can be partially hidden under sound-deadening underlay — peel it back carefully, it is glued in places.
308 Mk2 — Behind the Glove Box
Empty the glove box. Squeeze the sides inward to release the stops and let the box swing down. The switch sits on the firewall upper-right on LHD cars (upper-left on UK/Irish RHD). Red plunger faces up. On some Mk2 308 SW estate models, there may be an additional trim piece below the glove box that needs to be prised off to reach the switch fully.
Step-by-Step Reset
- Turn ignition OFF. Remove the key (or foot off brake for keyless).
- Access the switch per the location guide above.
- Press the red plunger straight down firmly until it clicks and sits flush. Single firm press.
- Turn ignition to position II (ON, not start). You should hear the fuel pump prime — a 2-second whirr from the rear of the car.
- Wait 10 seconds for the fuel rail to pressurize.
- Start the engine. Should fire within 1–3 cranks.
Why It Trips Without a Crash
- Underground car-park ramps taken too fast — a common 308 trigger
- Hard potholes at motorway speeds
- Kerb strikes while parking, particularly on 308 GTi with stiffer suspension
- Dropping off a jack during a tyre change
- Age and corrosion — on older Mk1 308s, the internal magnet weakens and the switch trips on normal road vibration
Still Won't Start After Reset
- Fuel pump fuse. 308 Mk1: fuse F17 (15A) in dashboard fusebox. 308 Mk2: fuse F32 (15A) in engine-bay fusebox.
- Fuel pump relay. Swap with an identical relay from horn or A/C slot. If it fires, replace (~€10).
- Battery. Below 10V during cranking, the ECU will not enable the pump. Load-test the battery.
- 1.6 HDi / 1.6 BlueHDi diesel: known issues with fuel-rail pressure sensor and the low-pressure in-tank pump past 150,000 km.
- Crank position sensor — common 308 failure past 120,000 km on 1.6 THP petrol. Cranks but never catches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the fuel cut-off switch on a 2012 Peugeot 308?
Passenger footwell, under the carpet near the firewall. The 2012 308 is Mk1 phase 2 facelift — fold back the passenger carpet from the door sill to expose the switch mounted on the floor pan.
Does the 2015 Peugeot 308 have a different switch location?
Yes. The 2015 308 is Mk2 (T9) — the switch relocated to behind the passenger-side glove box. Drop the glove box to access.
Does the 308 SW (estate) share the same switch location as the hatch?
Yes. Peugeot 308 SW estate uses the same dashboard and firewall layout as the hatch, so the switch is in the same place — footwell on Mk1, behind glove box on Mk2.
My 2022 Peugeot 308 does not have a physical switch — is that right?
Correct. The 2021+ Mk3 308 (P51 platform) uses ECU-controlled crash cut on all trims, bypassing the mechanical switch. If your new 308 will not start after an incident, the fault must be cleared with a scan tool at a dealer.
Is the 308 inertia switch the same part as the 307?
Functionally identical but physically different — the 308 uses PSA part 1906.C4 (Mk2), the 307 uses 1906.80. They interchange electrically but not mechanically (different mounting bracket).
Can I bypass the inertia switch permanently on my 308?
You can bridge the connector terminals, but this removes the post-crash safety cut — fuel will continue to spray from ruptured lines after an accident. Not recommended for any road-going car.
