2012 Chrysler 200 Fuel Pump Fuse Location: The Complete Owner's Guide

The bottom line up front: On a 2012 Chrysler 200, the fuel pump fuse is located in the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) — the main fuse box under the hood on the driver's side, near the battery. The fuel pump fuse is a 20-amp mini fuse labeled Fuse #21, and it sits alongside the fuel pump relay in the same TIPM. If your car cranks but won't start, or you can't hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key to the ON position, checking this fuse should be your first diagnostic step .

Finding a blown fuse on a 2012 Chrysler 200 is one of the simplest repairs you can do yourself, and it costs nothing but a few minutes and a replacement fuse. This guide walks you through everything you need to know — where the fuse is, how to check it, what symptoms point to a fuse problem, and what to do when the fuse keeps blowing.

Why the Fuel Pump Fuse Matters on the 2012 Chrysler 200

The fuel pump fuse is a small but critical safety device. It sits between the battery and the fuel pump circuit, and its job is simple: if too much current flows through the circuit, the fuse melts and breaks the connection . That prevents wiring damage and, in extreme cases, prevents a fire.

When the fuse blows, the fuel pump loses power. And when the fuel pump loses power, the engine gets no fuel. Your 2012 Chrysler 200 will crank over fine because the starter motor has its own circuit, but it will not start because there's no fuel pressure .

The 2012 Chrysler 200 fuel pump is an electric pump located inside the fuel tank . It pushes fuel from the tank to the engine at a consistent pressure. The pump runs for a couple of seconds when you first turn the key to the ON position — that's the priming cycle. If you don't hear that faint whirring sound from the rear of the car, the pump isn't getting power, and the fuse is one of the first things to check .

Where Is the 2012 Chrysler 200 Fuel Pump Fuse?

Step 1: Open the Hood

The fuse you're looking for is not inside the cabin. It's under the hood. Pop the hood and look toward the driver's side, near the battery. You'll see a large black plastic box with a cover. This is the Totally Integrated Power Module, or TIPM .

Step 2: Remove the TIPM Cover

Press the release tabs on the sides of the cover and lift it straight up. On the underside of the cover, you'll find a diagram that shows the fuse positions and ratings. If the diagram is faded or hard to read, check your owner's manual — it has the same information.

Step 3: Locate Fuse #21

Inside the TIPM, you'll see rows of mini fuses and relays. The fuel pump fuse is a 20-amp mini fuse in position #21. It's clearly labeled on the fuse box diagram . Right next to it, you'll find the fuel pump relay — a small square component that clicks when the pump primes.

Step 4: Check the Fuse

Pull fuse #21 straight out using a fuse puller tool. Most TIPM covers come with a small plastic fuse puller clipped to the inside. If you don't have one, needle-nose pliers work fine — just be gentle.

Hold the fuse up to the light. You're looking at the thin metal strip inside the clear plastic body. If the strip is broken, melted, or discolored, the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced .

How to Tell If Your Fuel Pump Fuse Is Blown

There are several signs that point to a blown fuel pump fuse on a 2012 Chrysler 200. While these symptoms can also indicate a failing fuel pump itself, checking the fuse first is the smartest move because it's free and takes two minutes .

Common symptoms of a blown fuel pump fuse:

  1. Engine cranks but won't start. This is the most common symptom. The starter spins the engine, but there's no fuel reaching the cylinders .

  2. No fuel pump priming sound. Turn the key to the ON position (don't crank the engine). Listen near the rear seat or fuel filler area. You should hear a faint whirring or buzzing sound for about two seconds. If you hear nothing, the pump isn't running .

  3. Silent fuel pump relay. When you turn the key ON, you may also hear a click from the TIPM as the fuel pump relay engages. If there's no click, the circuit may be dead .

  4. Check Engine Light illuminates. A blown fuse may trigger a diagnostic trouble code related to fuel pressure or fuel trim. You'll need an OBD-II scanner to read the codes.

  5. Car dies while driving and won't restart. If the fuse blows while you're on the road, the engine will stall suddenly and won't restart. This is rare but possible .

How to Replace the 2012 Chrysler 200 Fuel Pump Fuse

Replacing the fuse is a five-minute job that requires no special skills. Here's exactly what to do:

  1. Turn the ignition off and remove the key from the ignition.
  2. Open the hood and remove the TIPM cover.
  3. Pull fuse #21 using the fuse puller tool.
  4. Inspect the fuse. If the metal strip inside is broken, it's blown .
  5. Install the new fuse. Use a 20-amp mini fuse — the same type and rating as the original. Do not use a higher-amp fuse, as that can damage the wiring or cause a fire.
  6. Reinstall the TIPM cover and close the hood.
  7. Turn the key to the ON position and listen for the fuel pump priming sound. If you hear it, you're good to go.

Important: If the new fuse blows again immediately or shortly after installation, you have a deeper electrical problem. Do not keep replacing the fuse with a higher rating. You need to diagnose what's causing the overload .

Why Does the Fuel Pump Fuse Keep Blowing?

A fuse that blows once is often just a random failure — sometimes fuses age and weaken over time. But a fuse that blows repeatedly points to an underlying issue. Here are the most common causes:

1. A failing fuel pump motor. As the fuel pump wears out, its electric motor draws more current to maintain pressure. Over time, that increased draw exceeds the fuse rating and blows the fuse . If your pump is old, has high mileage, or makes a whining noise, this is likely the culprit.

2. Short circuit in the wiring. A damaged wire in the fuel pump circuit — chafed insulation, a pinched wire, or corroded connector — can short to ground and blow the fuse instantly .

3. Faulty fuel pump relay. A stuck or failing relay can send continuous power to the pump, causing it to overwork and overdraw current .

4. Clogged fuel filter. If the fuel filter is clogged, the pump has to work much harder to push fuel through. This increases current draw and can eventually blow the fuse .

5. Water or corrosion in the fuel tank. Contaminated fuel can cause the pump to seize or work harder than normal.

When the fuse keeps blowing, the smart approach is to test the fuel pump's current draw with a multimeter and inspect the wiring harness for damage. If you're not comfortable with electrical diagnosis, a professional mechanic can do this quickly .

Fuel Pump Fuse vs. Fuel Pump Relay: Know the Difference

Many owners confuse the fuel pump fuse with the fuel pump relay. They're two different components that work together:

  • The fuse protects the circuit from overcurrent. It's a one-time-use device — once it blows, you replace it.
  • The relay is an electromagnetic switch that controls when power reaches the fuel pump. It's controlled by the engine computer (PCM) and clicks on for two seconds when you turn the key ON .

If the relay fails, the pump won't receive power even if the fuse is fine. If the fuse blows, the relay may click but no power reaches the pump. Checking both is essential when diagnosing a no-start condition .

On the 2012 Chrysler 200, both components live side by side in the TIPM. The relay is the small black or gray square component near fuse #21 .

Fuel Pump Symptoms That Are Not Fuse Related

Sometimes the fuse is perfectly fine, but the car still won't start or runs poorly. In that case, the problem may be the fuel pump itself. Here's how to tell the difference :

Symptoms of a failing fuel pump (with a good fuse):

  1. Hard starting. The engine cranks for a long time before firing up. This happens because the pump is losing its ability to build pressure quickly .
  2. Sputtering at speed. The car jerks or hesitates during highway driving, especially under load or uphill.
  3. Loss of power during acceleration. The engine feels flat when you press the gas pedal .
  4. Whining noise from the fuel tank. A loud, high-pitched hum from the rear of the car that gets worse with acceleration is a classic sign of a pump that's about to fail .
  5. Stalling. The engine shuts off unexpectedly, especially in hot weather, and won't restart until it cools down .

If you're experiencing these symptoms and the fuse is intact, the fuel pump itself is the likely cause. Testing fuel pressure with a gauge is the definitive way to confirm .

How to Test the 2012 Chrysler 200 Fuel Pump Circuit

If you want to go a step further than checking the fuse, here's a simple testing procedure using a multimeter :

1. Check for power at the pump connector. The fuel pump is accessible through an access panel under the rear seat. Remove the rear seat bottom, locate the access plate, and remove it. Unplug the pump harness, turn the key ON, and check for 12 volts at the connector for two seconds. If there's no power, the problem is upstream — fuse, relay, or wiring .

2. Test the relay. With the fuse removed, use a multimeter to check continuity across the relay coil terminals. If there's no continuity, the relay is bad .

3. Measure current draw. With the fuse removed, connect a multimeter in series across the fuse terminals and turn the key ON. A healthy fuel pump draws 4 to 7 amps. If it draws more, the pump motor is failing .

4. Check the ground. A poor ground connection can also cause issues. Verify the pump ground wire has a clean, solid connection to the chassis .

How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Fuel Pump Fuse Problem?

The fuse itself costs less than five dollars at any auto parts store. A pack of five 20-amp mini fuses typically runs around five to eight dollars .

If the fuse keeps blowing and you need to replace the fuel pump, that's a bigger expense. A new fuel pump for a 2012 Chrysler 200 typically costs between $80 and $250 for the part, depending on brand and whether you choose an OEM or aftermarket unit . Labor to replace the pump — which involves dropping the fuel tank or cutting an access panel — runs anywhere from $200 to $450 at a shop .

If you're handy, replacing the fuel pump yourself can save you the labor cost. On the 2012 Chrysler 200, the pump is accessible through an access panel under the rear seat on many trims, though some configurations require dropping the tank .

KEMSO Fuel Pump: A Smart Replacement Choice

When the time comes to replace the fuel pump on your 2012 Chrysler 200 — or any other vehicle — consider KEMSO brand fuel pumps. KEMSO fuel pumps are engineered as high-performance, OEM replacement units, built to match the exact specifications of your original factory pump. That means a precise fit, reliable fuel delivery, and consistent pressure under all driving conditions.

Every KEMSO fuel pump comes with a lifetime warranty, which covers you long after the installation. If the pump ever fails, KEMSO stands behind the product. That kind of confidence is rare in the aftermarket parts world, and it's one of the main reasons owners choose KEMSO over cheaper generic alternatives.

You can browse the full lineup of KEMSO fuel pumps — including options for the 2012 Chrysler 200 and hundreds of other vehicles — at https://www.kemsoracing.com/. The website lists compatible models, pricing, and customer reviews to help you pick the right pump for your ride.

Step-by-Step Summary: What to Do Right Now

If your 2012 Chrysler 200 won't start, here's your action plan:

  1. Turn the key to ON and listen for the fuel pump prime sound from the rear of the car. If you hear it, the pump is getting power — move on to other diagnostics like fuel pressure or spark .
  2. If you hear nothing, open the hood, remove the TIPM cover, and locate fuse #21 — the 20-amp fuel pump fuse .
  3. Pull the fuse and inspect it. If the metal strip is broken, replace it with a new 20-amp mini fuse .
  4. Turn the key ON again and listen for the prime sound. If it's back, you're done — the problem was just a blown fuse.
  5. If the fuse blows again, the fuel pump or wiring has a problem. Test the circuit or take the car to a professional .
  6. If the fuse is fine but the car won't start, test for power at the fuel pump connector, check the relay, and verify fuel pressure .

Final Thoughts on the 2012 Chrysler 200 Fuel Pump Fuse

The fuel pump fuse on a 2012 Chrysler 200 is a simple component, but it causes a big headache when it fails. The good news is that locating it, checking it, and replacing it takes less than ten minutes and costs under ten dollars. Always start your no-start diagnosis here before spending money on fuel pumps, ignition parts, or shop labor .

Keep a few spare 20-amp mini fuses in your glove box — they cost pennies and can save you from being stranded. And if you do end up needing a new fuel pump, remember that KEMSO offers reliable, high-performance replacements with a lifetime warranty. Visit https://www.kemsoracing.com/ to find the right pump for your 2012 Chrysler 200 and get back on the road with confidence.


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