James1970

Hi Again:

The cigarette lighter in my C3 has never worked (I don't smoke but would like to use it to recharge my cell phone).

I purchased a new cigarette lighter and verified the fuse is ok (the fuse runs the clock and cigarette lighter and the clock is running...ain't that a switch!).

All other guage/lights are working. The console is grounded.

1. Could the problem be the orange wire or clip that attaches to the bottom of the lighter? (I cannot confirm but believe electricity may not flowing to the clip)
2. Wiring harness failure?

Thanks for your assistance.

James

kona

Yes this is a possibility. Use a tester to confirm your suspicions. Also on my 80 there is a metal ring that attaches to the bottom side of the lighter it is a ground and is needed to operate.


Kona

jdp6000

The casing of the lighter also needs to be grounded. Stock is a large brass ring with a black wire. It fits up around the neck of the lighter casing. The wire grounds to the steel framing where the consol attaches.

Jim

carl a

get a 12 v test light or maby a meter if you can,,borrow a fluke it will tell you exactly where your at

694speed350

pull the lighter base. some of the early ones on different cars had a fuse connection on the bottom of the base (+12 volts line) it would open up and the lighter would not work. howevur if you check the center conductor and if it has 12v on it to chassis ground then you should be ok. if not check ground if good then replace lighter housing. should fix problem.