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I’ve tried using the Cig lighter as a 12V outlet for a phone charger, or air compressor and have had no luck getting it to work.
Some current does reach it as it does at least turn on the led on the phone charger adaptor, but not enough to actually charge the phone or turn on the tire compressor.
Of lesser importance but related, the socket also fails to heat up the heater element in the cigarette lighter.
Electrical troubleshooting is not my strong suit, but I have a multimeter I can figure out how to use. Any clues on where to begin troubleshooting would be appreciated.
Also, does anybody know where the fuse for the 12V outlet is located?
Also, does anybody know where the fuse for the 12V outlet is located?
F14 (20A) - passenger side fascia fusebox.
If you're getting some power through, the fuse is likely OK. The sockets can be temperamental as they're not the finest quality in the world
F14 (20A) - passenger side fascia fusebox.
If you're getting some power through, the fuse is likely OK. The sockets can be temperamental as they're not the finest quality in the world
In which case, replace the socket? Or can the socket be fixed?
It's usually poor contact with the centre pin on whatever you plug in, in my experience. That presses on the rivet holding the clip/+ve connector at the bottom. They quite often go rusty if the lighter has been used much. It's a bit buried to get to clean - perhaps one of those little burr wheels in a dremel?
I think the console has to come out to replace the lighter.
I have the same problem with one of the cars where I use a little plug-in FM transmitter to play USB sticks. Keep having to wiggle or twist it when it goes off
The fact that you get an LED illumination says fuse us ok, you're getting 12volts. Low current points straight to corrosion.
Sometimes the simplest fixes are the best. A few years ago I was going overboard trying to improve the sound as an audiophile. Don't laugh but I was actually polishing the pins on the vacuum tubes . . . Well that was until I had the pleasure of meeting Bas on line. He's the owner of Balanced Audio Technology and had worked on everything to do with tubes back in Russia before he moved to USA. I mentioned this to him, he just replied: plugging unplugging repeat is the best way he's ever found to clean the pins!
Apply this logic to your lighter receptacle. It'll work great for the cylinder, but I'd probably pull the fuse, grab some fine grain sandpaper wrap it around a dowel or a big screwdriver stick it in and polish the 12volt nub for better contact.
Hope it helps. Hey, fun fact that gentleman shared once: the MIG fighter jets actually use (used?) Vacuum tubes! Which aren't affected by an EMP pulse from a nuclear blast like a transistor is!
If cleaning the centre nub, from the top, doesn't work, you may need to check connections underneath. The cigarette/ashtray compartment is a complete unit bolted onto the centre console.
It's been a while since I removed the centre console of my ex-XK8, but as Rev Sam showed it's a simple job to remove it. then you got access to the cigarette lighter. I actually had to replace it, using the cigarette lighter from my scrap donor car and I remember it was a b@#tard! to get out due to the push green lit ring. I had to enlarge the hole in the end to get the replacement in/out. From my bucket of stuff, I found these 12V cigarette lights come in different lengths, and of course Jag uses a hard to find short one. As it heats up (obbviously), make sure none of the carpet is tucked underneath it (fire hazard).
After scraping the ever living hell out of that socket, I decided to check the fuse. To my surprise, what was in there was just the weirdest looking 20 amp fuse which happened to be blown.
I replaced it with a proper 20 amp spare fuse and tried my air compressor and it worked. My iPhone charger is also working properly.
I know this was the previous owner's fuse, but a word of advice: Only use standard brand name (Bussmann or Littelfuse) automotive fuses. Fuses that are gimmicky or imported from China like Harbor Freight fuses are asking for trouble.
Low Current on Cigarette Lighter
Haha, I let one of my hot dates give me a manicure the other day. Turned out to be a much more relaxing experience than I expected.
