- \n
- Locate Fuse Boxes<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Get Required Materials<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pull the Burnt Fuse<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Inspect the Pulled Fuse<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Insert Replacement Fuse<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check the Replacement Fuse<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In most modern cars, the terms \u201ccigarette lighter socket\u201d and \u201celectrical outlet\u201d are interchangeable, and there are often multiple such ports at various points around the vehicle. It is important to know where all of these ports are located in your vehicle, as they can help you in the identification of the problem with the dead cigarette lighter socket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep receptacles clean – not only does this ensure a strong connection between your device and the port, but it prevents the buildup of any corrosion that may occur over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTroubleshooting a Dead Car Cigarette Lighter Socket<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n![\"broken](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/broken-cirgarette-socket.jpg\" "\\"broken")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIn the age of portable devices, a dead electric outlet in your vehicle is one of the most easily identifiable problems you will encounter, as the need for juice after a long day out and about is a never-ending need in contemporary society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While a dead socket is likely to cause frustration that may tempt you to take your car to a mechanic and \u201cjust get it fixed,\u201d the repair can often be easily accomplished at home without the hassle and expense of taking your vehicle to a professional shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And while the likely cause of a blown fuse itself is a simple enough repair, there are a couple of items you will want to cross off your list before you start digging into your fuse box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n1. Make Sure Your Car is Turned On<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For older vehicles that you have to remove the lighter to access the socket, you are likely to receive power whether or not the vehicle is turned on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, with newer vehicles that are highly electrical and have many computerized settings, some electric outlets will not function unless the car\u2019s battery is engaged, so if the cigarette lighter socket is not working, make sure that the car is turned on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While you do not have to start the car all the way, if the radio is playing and the fan is blowing, but there is still no power coming to the socket, then you will need to move on down the troubleshooting list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n2. Check the Other Electric Outlets in Your Vehicle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As mentioned, most modern vehicles come with a bevy of electric outlets located at various points in the vehicle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the main cigarette lighter socket on the driver\u2019s side dashboard, there is likely to be an additional outlet on the passenger\u2019s side dashboard, as well as in the center console and any rear consoles, depending on the size of the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your main socket is not working, be sure to plug in your cord to the other ports and see if you get any power. If you do, then you are definitely dealing with a dead socket. If there is still no power when checking the other sockets, then you will have to do a little more research, as it is unlikely that all outlets are dealing with a blown fuse simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n3. Try Different Charging Cords <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If your vehicle is on, but you are not receiving power to any of the electric outlets, then you are likely dealing with a bad charging cord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Switch out your main car charging cord with a different one and see if this gives you any power. If it does, great–problem solved. If it does not, or the new cord works in all of the ports except the main socket where you initially experienced the issue, then you are likely looking at a blown fuse that needs to be replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow to Repair a Blown Car Cigarette Lighter Socket Fuse<\/strong>?<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n![\"socket](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/socket-outlet-fuses.jpg\" "\\"socket")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAs mentioned in the introduction, roughly 90 percent of dead lighter sockets are due to a blown electrical fuse. While it is cheap and easy to replace a fuse yourself, you must be very meticulous in your approach to avoid damaging other fuses or doing more extensive electrical damage to your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nLocate Fuse Boxes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Depending on the make, model, and year of your vehicle, the fuse box is likely to be located in one of three places: under the hood, in the cabin on the driver\u2019s side, or in the trunk. Some vehicles may have only one fuse box, while others may have two or three. The following are some general characteristics that you can expect from each:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Under the hood<\/strong> – this fuse box will be black and plastic, roughly 12 x 9 inches. It can be found at the extreme edge of either the driver\u2019s or passenger\u2019s side and is usually nearer the windshield than the front of the hood. The lid will be held on with several plastic clips that must be detached to access the fuses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In the cabin<\/strong> – fuse boxes in the cabin will be on the driver\u2019s side, often near the hood and trunk release, but typically tucked further under the dash. This box will usually have a latch that you can hook your fingers into and pull open.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In the trunk<\/strong> – this fuse box will be located on either the driver\u2019s or passenger\u2019s side wall of the trunk. It will look like a small door camouflaged into the wall of the trunk, and you will notice a small latch where your fingers can be inserted to pull this door open and access the fuses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
While the majority of fuse boxes will be located in one of these three locations, or more than one of these locations, some vehicles may be designed differently, so it is important to consult your user\u2019s manual to be certain of the location and number of fuse boxes in your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After you locate each fuse box, you will want to pop the lid and check for a bay of spare fuses. This may not be present in older cars, but most modern vehicles come with spare fuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is important to check all of your vehicle\u2019s fuse boxes for spare fuses because even if the cigarette lighter socket\u2019s fuse is located under the hood, its spare may be stowed in a bay in the vehicle\u2019s trunk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nGet Required Materials<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Car](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Car-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket-Supplies-Needed.jpg\" "\\"Car")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nNow that you have located all of the fuse boxes in your vehicle and have checked for spare fuses, there are a few items you will want to gather before starting the replacement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Needle nose pliers<\/strong> – try to get the smallest, finest pair you can find, as your vehicle\u2019s fuses are very fine and delicate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Flashlight<\/strong> – this may or may not be necessary, but it is a good idea to keep it handy, especially if you have a fuse box in the cabin that curls under the front dash. In addition, the many fuses in your vehicle are color-coded, so you will want to have a sharp light source in the event that any have faded and become indistinguishable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Multimeter<\/strong> (optional) – while fuse issues can certainly be reconciled without a multimeter, it is easier with one. A multimeter measures electric current and voltage at a given point, so attaching a multimeter to a fuse can easily let you know if any current is flowing. These devices can be purchased for as little as $10.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Replacement fuse<\/strong> (if necessary) – if you have checked in all of your fuse boxes and there is no spare fuse bay, then you will need to get a replacement fuse. These are readily available at auto parts stores, but make sure you give an associate run the make, model, and year of your vehicle so they can ensure you get the right product.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPull the Burnt Fuse<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
On the lid or door of your fuse box, there will be a map and legend that will help you pinpoint the cigarette lighter fuse. There are many different fuses that control a variety of electrical functions in your vehicle, so make sure that you are extra thorough during this process so as not to choose the wrong fuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many times, the cigarette lighter fuse will be labeled \u201cCIG,\u201d but there are many exceptions across the various vehicle models, so be sure to cross-reference the legend. If you have an older vehicle that has seen the fuse map and legend fade or become unclear in any way, there should be a replica version that you can find in your user\u2019s manual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After you have pinpointed the cigarette lighter fuse, you will want to connect your multimeter to it, if available. If the fuse is functional, you will hear a \u201cbeep\u201d indicating power. However, as it is likely burnt, nothing is likely to happen once the multimeter is attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If a dead fuse is confirmed, you need to pull it from the fuse bank. Most modern vehicles will have a fuse-pulling tool located in the fuse box. This is a small plastic tool that looks like a pair of tweezers. Take this tool and pinch it on the tip of your finger a couple of times to get a feel for how it works. It should conveniently grip the lip of your fuse, making for easy removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have an older vehicle or any other model that does not come with this special fuse-removing tool, this is where the needle nose pliers come in. They can serve the same function as the specialized plastic tool, but you must be very careful to grip only the lips of the fuse and avoid squeezing too hard, causing your pliers to slip and crush the fuse\u2019s body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nInspect the Pulled Fuse<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Cigarette-Lighter-check-fuse.jpg\" "\\"Cigarette")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nYour cigarette lighter fuse will look like a bigger version of your cell phone\u2019s sim card tray when pulled open, with a wide head in front of a thin, delicate body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have a multimeter at your disposal, you are probably already aware that the fuse is blown. However, if you are without a multimeter or simply want to confirm your multimeter\u2019s reading, a blown lighter socket fuse will be easily identifiable by looking at the body of the fuse, with a couple of symptoms likely present:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Broken or cracked wire<\/strong> – the body of a functional fuse will have a thin, plastic, see-through casing that protects a small electrical wire. This wire should be in a small, continuous hump, like the normal curve used in statistics. If this hump is cracked or broken, the fuse is no good.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Burn marks<\/strong> – if the wire is charred or the plastic casing is charred with black tar, then the fuse has burned out and is no longer functional.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nInsert Replacement Fuse<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The various fuses in the fuse box will be colored differently and assigned a number based on the amount of current they can handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, either on the head of the fuse or on the legend on the fuse box lid and owner\u2019s manual, the cigarette lighter fuse will be given a value of \u201c20\u201d or \u201c20A\u201d (note: not all lighter fuses have this value, but it is a common value for lighter fuses in many vehicles).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This means that this particular fuse is capable of handling 20 amps of current. Any other fuses with this capacity will be colored and labeled accordingly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As such, when selecting a replacement fuse from the spare bay, you must be sure that it matches in value and color of the fuse you just pulled. If you got your replacement fuse from an auto parts store, you should already have the right fuse, but you will want to double-check to be sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When getting the replacement from the spare bay, you will need to use the same fuse-pulling tool or needle-nose pliers you used to remove the burnt fuse from the main fuse bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put the old fuse and the replacement fuse side by side and compare. The difference should be noticeable, as the replacement should have a nice, clear body that displays a solid, bell curve-shaped electrical wire that forms a visible contrast to the old fuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You will not need the fuse-pulling tool or needle-nose pliers to set the replacement fuse. However, you should be very careful when inserting it into the fuse bank, ensuring proper alignment and no forceful actions that may cause the replacement fuse to crack or break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Qfv3KOoZ3lw<\/a>![\"lighter](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/lighter-socket-not-working.jpg\" "\\"lighter")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhile the vast majority of dead lighter sockets are remedied by replacing a blown fuse, there are a few rare instances in which a new fuse does not solve the problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe replacement Fuse Blows Immediately<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are cases, especially if a replacement fuse has been sitting in the replacement bay for many years, where the fuse components have deteriorated, and the sudden introduction of electricity can cause a replacement fuse to blow the first time the car is turned on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This can be a tricky scenario to identify because when a fuse has just been replaced, the owner is highly unlikely to consider the fuse a second time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, it is the first place you should look if the socket is still not working after a fuse replacement. Using the same process described earlier, check the lighter socket fuse again to ensure that the replacement did not immediately blow upon being introduced to the electrical current.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCheck the Receptacle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If the check on the replacement fuse comes back clean, there is a chance that you are dealing with a faulty receptacle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over time, the receptacle can accumulate food particles, dust, and other debris that may prevent a proper connection with your cord. Take a rag and thoroughly clean the port to ensure that there are no foreign particles interfering with the connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have cleaned the receptacle and everything is still dead, there is a chance that the receptacle itself needs to be replaced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the head of the lighter and\/or cover of the electrical outlet, there will be a voltage rating for the socket, generally 12V (12 volts). If you attach a multimeter to the port and do not get a voltage output in this range, then you will need to order a new part and have the receptacle replaced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One other thing to look for<\/strong> is the prongs that touch the adapters that you plug into the cigarette lighter. If they are bent, they may not have contact with the adapter. (see video)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Burn marks<\/strong> – if the wire is charred or the plastic casing is charred with black tar, then the fuse has burned out and is no longer functional.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Flashlight<\/strong> – this may or may not be necessary, but it is a good idea to keep it handy, especially if you have a fuse box in the cabin that curls under the front dash. In addition, the many fuses in your vehicle are color-coded, so you will want to have a sharp light source in the event that any have faded and become indistinguishable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In the cabin<\/strong> – fuse boxes in the cabin will be on the driver\u2019s side, often near the hood and trunk release, but typically tucked further under the dash. This box will usually have a latch that you can hook your fingers into and pull open.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Get Required Materials<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"why](\"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/why-car-power-sockets-fail.jpg\" "\\"why")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n