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Cigarette lighter/12 volt accessory socket dead

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Old Jul 21, 2018 | 08:14 PM
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Default 1980 Cigarette lighter/12 volt accessory socket dead

I would like to have a place to plug in my GPS. Any common solutions to this problem? I've had 4 C3s and none of them worked. Was never an issue before but now I need to fix this.

Last edited by Sharky II; Jul 21, 2018 at 10:24 PM. Reason: Forgot to put 1980 Corvette
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Old Jul 21, 2018 | 08:37 PM
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I might just run a new set of wires to the fuse box than to fool with tracing down the problem with the factory 12 volt outlet wiring. I will eventually get around to doing it right. But right now its a nusance not to have a way to charge my phone in the car. Advise anybody? (crickets chirping)
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Old Jul 21, 2018 | 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Sharky II
I might just run a new set of wires to the fuse box than to fool with tracing down the problem with the factory 12 volt outlet wiring. I will eventually get around to doing it right. But right now its a nusance not to have a way to charge my phone in the car. Advise anybody? (crickets chirping)
Somewhere you should include either in your sig or your post what year you're working on - you'll get faster and more accurate responses.
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Old Jul 21, 2018 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Hammerhead Fred
Somewhere you should include either in your sig or your post what year you're working on - you'll get faster and more accurate responses.
Oops! Thanks for the heads up H.F.
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Old Jul 21, 2018 | 10:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Hammerhead Fred
Somewhere you should include either in your sig or your post what year you're working on - you'll get faster and more accurate responses.
Fixed it. Sometimes I get absent minded when I'm working on cars and don't eat for hours. Blood sugar crash error.
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Old Jul 22, 2018 | 09:49 AM
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I hope this photo helps the next guy


2nd nearly invisible screw


And the last one.

Last edited by Sharky II; Jul 22, 2018 at 10:44 AM. Reason: spelling errors
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Old Jul 22, 2018 | 10:02 AM
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To gain access to the wires for the cigarette lighter. I had to remove the driver side carpeted console side panel. Obviously this is a picture of the other side.I had to use a magnet to find the these trim screws. It had never been out before. Starting from the dash end of the carpet strip: They are located halfway down . Measuring from the dash end back at 4", 24" and 38'. If the sides have never been out before Its almost as bad as a needle in a haystack ; Thus the magnet on a string trick. After you get the side panel off IMEDIATLY put them back in the panel while you still remember where the holes are. Its like quicksand with fur.

Last edited by Sharky II; Jul 22, 2018 at 10:42 AM. Reason: spelling
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Old Jul 22, 2018 | 10:51 AM
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Crap! The horn doesn't honk but pressing it instantly blows the 20 amp fuse. (Sigh)
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Old Jul 22, 2018 | 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Sharky II
Crap! The horn doesn't honk but pressing it instantly blows the 20 amp fuse. (Sigh)
Horns can and do short out internally. Disconnect (there are one or two depending on your year) and find out if the fuse still blows.

The accessory (ACC) circuit in our cars powers a great many things in our cars and is a VERY frequent trouble point. The lighter is on that circuit so that's the likely reason none of them have worked in your C3s. The alarm system is on the circuit in most years and it often fails in a way that the alarm is always tripped. The common "solution" is to simply disconnect the alarm horn but unfortunately an amazingly robust relay stays constantly energized causing a batter drain problem.
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Old Jul 22, 2018 | 05:12 PM
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Put a modern receptacle in, my A body did the same thing, blowing fuses when trying to stuff the charger in there.
Help section in any auto parts store has em cheap.
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Old Jul 22, 2018 | 05:34 PM
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FYI - It's actually called a cigar lighter.
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Old Jul 23, 2018 | 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by theandies
FYI - It's actually called a cigar lighter.
Hey! At least I didn't call it a cell phone charger recepticle
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Old Jul 24, 2018 | 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Sharky II
Hey! At least I didn't call it a cell phone charger recepticle
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Old Jul 24, 2018 | 08:47 AM
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Originally Posted by theandies
I did finally fix my cigar lighter
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