(1978) Dead cigarette lighter
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
(1978) Dead cigarette lighter
The lighter in my 78 recently went out. It had been acting flaky for a few years. I've tested the wiring and it checks out w/ 12V.
At this point I'm assuming that somehow the female lighter housing failed.
So I'm looking at:
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=26166
and it says not to use it. From what I've read, my lighter is supposed to use some kind of spade terminal when in fact the 12V connection is a slip-on design that looks similar to the pin pictured. It was likely changed at some point.
Is there any reason other than the terminal difference to change these?
Is there a way to test the actual housing from my car to verify whether or not it's dead?
At this point I'm assuming that somehow the female lighter housing failed.
So I'm looking at:
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=26166
and it says not to use it. From what I've read, my lighter is supposed to use some kind of spade terminal when in fact the 12V connection is a slip-on design that looks similar to the pin pictured. It was likely changed at some point.
Is there any reason other than the terminal difference to change these?
Is there a way to test the actual housing from my car to verify whether or not it's dead?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
It's actually the socket that I'm testing, not the lighter element.
I don't smoke, it went out while using my wideband.
Looks like it's very very dead. Tested resistance across the +12V pin in the socket to the center plug on the inside and my meter oscillated through a number of ranges. Nicht gut!
I don't smoke, it went out while using my wideband.
Looks like it's very very dead. Tested resistance across the +12V pin in the socket to the center plug on the inside and my meter oscillated through a number of ranges. Nicht gut!
Last edited by Shark Racer; Jul 5, 2012 at 09:19 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 284
Likes: 4
From: Philadelphia Pennsylvania
I fixed the lighter on my '75 last week. The hot wire connection had simply fallen off its attachment point. I just put it back on and it works perfectly now.
I had to remove the four screws on the shifter cover plate and lift it. Took less than 5min.
I had to remove the four screws on the shifter cover plate and lift it. Took less than 5min.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Ah, the good old days when cars had lighters and ashtrays.
Now the nannys are in control and we have to use a jar in a cupholder.
If the nannys begin to complain that people throw butts out the car window they only have themselves to blame.
And don't lecture me on whether I should be smoking or not, it is none of your business, or the governments.
Now the nannys are in control and we have to use a jar in a cupholder.
If the nannys begin to complain that people throw butts out the car window they only have themselves to blame.
And don't lecture me on whether I should be smoking or not, it is none of your business, or the governments.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
It's actually the socket that I'm testing, not the lighter element.
I don't smoke, it went out while using my wideband.
Looks like it's very very dead. Tested resistance across the +12V pin in the socket to the center plug on the inside and my meter oscillated through a number of ranges. Nicht gut!
I don't smoke, it went out while using my wideband.
Looks like it's very very dead. Tested resistance across the +12V pin in the socket to the center plug on the inside and my meter oscillated through a number of ranges. Nicht gut!
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I'm a retard with a probe and managed to blow the cig lighter/courtesy/clock fuse trying to test for voltage. I ended up going to the parts store and picking up a new one. Works good. Examining the two side by side, the factory one has a ton of corrosion built up on the center pin. I probably could have cleaned it, but I don't think I have a tool small enough to get it.
It explains the intermittent, though.
Now, I need to get my new transmission in so that I can put the center console back in.
It'll be nice to do wideband testing out of the cig lighter rather than bringing my booster pack around.
It explains the intermittent, though.
Now, I need to get my new transmission in so that I can put the center console back in.
It'll be nice to do wideband testing out of the cig lighter rather than bringing my booster pack around.