Cigaretter lighter/accessory port issues

[Timebender]

Does anyone have a fix or known way to get more reliable power from the 12 volt accessory plug? Right now I'm able to get anywhere from 3.4 to 8.4 volts if I stick some probes in there, and if I plug an adapter in to run something, I get only 3.4 with the engine running. I was able to, briefly, read 13 to 14 with the engine running (if I had my foot on the gas or not).

I sprayed some electronic cleaner in there and tried some cotton swabs too to no avail. One thing is the plug port is a bit larger than the plug itself - which fits in my other cars nice and snug.

Ideas?

Thanks :)

Greg

[Chris 16409]

I was never thrilled with the functionality and the position of the cigar lighter. Anything you plug in gets in the way of the shifter. Also since it is an odd European size, the accessories do not fit very well. So i basically unplugged mine, and now it is simply there for aesthetics. I then took the cigar lighter wiring and spliced it into this 12v USB adapter.

49974

That's why people go through the trouble of changing out the cigar lighter, so they can use a USB power adapter more reliably. So this adapter negates any sort of "plug in" solution. You simply wire it up to the cigar lighter wiring, and you have a powered USB port to charge your phone or other devices. Most tech gadgets are USB powered these days. Because I don't use my rear defogger, I re-purposed that switch to act as an "on and off" for the USB power adapter. I didn't want it powered on all the time.

Here's where I got mine:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400701981756

[DMCMW Dave]

Does anyone have a fix or known way to get more reliable power from the 12 volt accessory plug? Right now I'm able to get anywhere from 3.4 to 8.4 volts if I stick some probes in there, and if I plug an adapter in to run something, I get only 3.4 with the engine running. I was able to, briefly, read 13 to 14 with the engine running (if I had my foot on the gas or not).



Replace it. There's a direct replacement unit available that fits modern lighter plugs much better. OR, wire in a separate one and hide it inside the glovebox or under the dash.

[Timebender]

Great idea. I'm guessing it's pretty simple to remove the center console then? I ordered the VW plug that as mentioned in a thread I found in the archives. I might also add in the USB plugs as well. I have the BTTF GPS speedo, and it came with the lighter adapter and runs on 12 volts. What's funny is being it's for a DeLorean typically, the guy who makes it, who's from Europe, should include a European style plug for it.

[DaraSue]

Great idea. I'm guessing it's pretty simple to remove the center console then? I ordered the VW plug that as mentioned in a thread I found in the archives. I might also add in the USB plugs as well. I have the BTTF GPS speedo, and it came with the lighter adapter and runs on 12 volts. What's funny is being it's for a DeLorean typically, the guy who makes it, who's from Europe, should include a European style plug for it.

Mike @ MW changed mine out in a few minutes, so it shouldn't be a huge job. I was having the same problem with the original one (plugged my phone in to make sure it would charge before I set off, and it didn't).

[DMCMW Dave]

Great idea. I'm guessing it's pretty simple to remove the center console then? I ordered the VW plug that as mentioned in a thread I found in the archives. I might also add in the USB plugs as well. I have the BTTF GPS speedo, and it came with the lighter adapter and runs on 12 volts. What's funny is being it's for a DeLorean typically, the guy who makes it, who's from Europe, should include a European style plug for it.

Don't remove the console. Just the ashtray.

[Timebender]

Don't remove the console. Just the ashtray.

Check! Also, where's a good place to wire in another one so I can hide it in the glovebox or even behind the console on either side?

[Chris 16409]

Check! Also, where's a good place to wire in another one so I can hide it in the glovebox or even behind the console on either side?

That's why I said you can wire in the adapter directly into the the cigar lighter wiring. No need to splice into any other source. You can hide the little converter box underneath the center console. I have the USB cord routed to come out by the coin tray.

[Timebender]

That's why I said you can wire in the adapter directly into the the cigar lighter wiring. No need to splice into any other source. You can hide the little converter box underneath the center console. I have the USB cord routed to come out by the coin tray.

Yeah I got that - but if I want to put one in the glovebox too, where's a good spot to tie into?

[Timebender]

Don't remove the console. Just the ashtray.

Okay so I popped out the ashtray but can't get it the cigar lighter. I'm guessing that whole rubber/plastic center should come off- took out the screws under the shift plate, took off the one nut (one was missing) under the coin tray, but nothing - won't budge as it feels still locked down in the middle somewhere

[DMC-Ron]

I installed a USB charger that fits in the "type B" European style cigarette lighter plug that our cars came with. It has two ports both the higher 2.4 amp type. Here is the link for what I purchased:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M6QODH2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had hoped that the unit would fit perfectly flush, but it does stick up a little, making it look very much like the original lighter that came with the car. So, it works and it resembles the original lighter. Plus, I did not have to remove or mess with the socket.

Ron

[Totally 80s]

I installed a USB charger that fits in the "type B" European style cigarette lighter plug that our cars came with. It has two ports both the higher 2.4 amp type. Here is the link for what I purchased:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M6QODH2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had hoped that the unit would fit perfectly flush, but it does stick up a little, making it look very much like the original lighter that came with the car. So, it works and it resembles the original lighter. Plus, I did not have to remove or mess with the socket.

Ron

I just ordered this and it doesn't work. Original cig lighter works fine so it has juice. Is there anything I should be checking for?

[DMC-Ron]

I just ordered this and it doesn't work. Original cig lighter works fine so it has juice. Is there anything I should be checking for?

Several things to check:
1. Perhaps you received a bad Aukey charger. Try it in some other cars.
2. Is your USB device picky? Try the charger with some other USB devices.
3. Sometimes the center connector is not making contact. Check that it’s fully pushed out on the Aukey unit.
4. Fully inserted? On my car the Aukey is almost flush. Just a small clearance between the Aukey’s rim and the receptacle top.
5. Then there is the “collar” connection. Is it making good contact and is the receptacle barrel not corroded.
6. Always good to double check the cigarette receptacle. A meter can verify the voltage on the center pin. Also look to see that the center contact is clean and not pushed back inside the receptacle. Obviously, you may have already checked the receptacle by plugging in another USB charger.
7. Cable? Initially I had a flaky USB cable with my phone but that was easy to sort out. I've had this for several months and the Aukey works well for my iphone.

That’s all I can suggest at this point. Best of luck.
Ron

[Shep]

(more thoughts)

8. Fuse. If the center pin slipped and touched the side walls, you'll blow a fuse easily. Done this numerous times myself.
9. Try a variety of devices and cables. In multiple cars. USB cables go bad just like any other cable. Try both ports also.
10. Contact Amazon, return/replace. Use their chat, it's quick, easy, and I rarely have a problem.

Aukey and Anker make top-of-the-line car chargers, they're the best in their field as I stated in another thread about it. If Aukey doesn't work, try Anker, they might fit better. Much like UPS and FedEx, they pretty much provide exactly the same thing in virtually identical ways and remarkably similar top-notch quality, it's purely a matter of preference usually. I've used both with great success, lots of dash cam guys (retailers, companies, etc.) swear by them too.