Lighter socket
Thread Starter
Stellabarbara
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 99
Likes: 11
From: Washington Michigan
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
Lighter socket
Question... I have a 1990 C4. The lighter works, but I can not charge my phone with a charger plugged into it. Any ideas on a charger that will work? Thanks
Last edited by Stellabarbara; Oct 1, 2014 at 07:56 AM. Reason: change light to lighter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Does the charger have a fuse inside?
Personally I like the chargers that light up an LED so you can tell that they are getting power.
The voltage coming out of the charger is 5 volts. The charger has a voltage regulator inside it that changes the car's 12 volts to 5 volts. Maybe it broke...
Personally I like the chargers that light up an LED so you can tell that they are getting power.
The voltage coming out of the charger is 5 volts. The charger has a voltage regulator inside it that changes the car's 12 volts to 5 volts. Maybe it broke...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,348
Likes: 2,728
Not all chargers are compatible with the older "LIGHTER" sockets, if you're a non-smoker and your intentions are to use it as a charging/power port only it would be wise to change it to later product that's meant for chargers and power ports.
OP - you mentioned "light" but I assumed you meant lighter, if you meant the LED on the power connector then it would hint there's a problem with the charger.
OP - you mentioned "light" but I assumed you meant lighter, if you meant the LED on the power connector then it would hint there's a problem with the charger.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,422
Likes: 602
From: Minneapolis Mn
Lighter
Having used the lighter socket on my 86 to charge 2 different phones along with running a dashcam, the socket should work. If the lighter actually works, I'd check out the socket itself to insure it's not damaged or packed with junk. There could be junk left in there from previous lighter usage.
Assuming there's power to the unit and you can't find anything wrong, I'd change out the socket next.
Good luck.
Assuming there's power to the unit and you can't find anything wrong, I'd change out the socket next.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Stellabarbara
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 99
Likes: 11
From: Washington Michigan
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
Not all chargers are compatible with the older "LIGHTER" sockets, if you're a non-smoker and your intentions are to use it as a charging/power port only it would be wise to change it to later product that's meant for chargers and power ports.
OP - you mentioned "light" but I assumed you meant lighter, if you meant the LED on the power connector then it would hint there's a problem with the charger.
OP - you mentioned "light" but I assumed you meant lighter, if you meant the LED on the power connector then it would hint there's a problem with the charger.
I am a non-smoker... but funny thing, I keep finding cigarettes on the passanger side... Not sure where they are coming from... I have cleaned the vehicle from top to bottom... I must have sargent CJ Mohoney in the passenger seat.. HEHEH!
Last edited by Stellabarbara; Oct 1, 2014 at 07:57 AM. Reason: change fues to fuse
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,360
Likes: 2,731
Yes, I meant Lighter... OOPS! I'm bad!!!. Is it hard to change the socket? I guess I should also pull the fuse before working on it. Where would be the bast place to buy a new socket and your recommendations?
I am a non-smoker... but funny thing, I keep finding cigarettes on the passanger side... Not sure where they are coming from... I have cleaned the vehicle from top to bottom... I must have sargent CJ Mohoney in the passenger seat.. HEHEH!
I am a non-smoker... but funny thing, I keep finding cigarettes on the passanger side... Not sure where they are coming from... I have cleaned the vehicle from top to bottom... I must have sargent CJ Mohoney in the passenger seat.. HEHEH!
but i would say that your socket should charge the cell phone.
check your fuses for the correct amperage? ctsy fuse is where the lighter socket is on my 87 and it is rated for a 15, but i have a 20 in it. it came that way from the previous owner. not sure if that makes it able to charge my phone. i charge an iphone 4s.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 109
From: Longmont Co
If the lighter works then your socket seems to be working. Check your charger. Perhaps it isn't working, or perhaps the plug isn't long enough to properly seat in the socket. Again, can't see the socket not being "hot" if the lighter works, try a differently shaped charger.
The old cigs may have fallen between the console and the carpeting and just be working their way out.
The old cigs may have fallen between the console and the carpeting and just be working their way out.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,097
Likes: 1,724
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Sounds like the phone charger itself to me.
Changing out the lighter socket itself is a pain for what it is.
Changing out the lighter socket itself is a pain for what it is.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 372
Likes: 23
From: Harper Woods MI
I have the same issue with my '91. I plug in my GPS into the cigarette lighter outlet it will not charge up the battery in the unit.
If I push in the cigarette lighter it works, so I am getting power to the outlet, fuse if fine and there is no corrosion.
If I push in the cigarette lighter it works, so I am getting power to the outlet, fuse if fine and there is no corrosion.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 213
Likes: 4
From: San Francisco California
When I had a '90, I had no problems in using a phone charger (all kinds) via the lighter socket.
Take a look inside the socket and then at the plug-in part of your charger itself. I'd say there is a good chance that this particular combination is not making proper contact. With a little luck, you may be able to bend something to ensure proper contact.
If that doesn't work, try using a different brand of charger adapter which still has the same connector that your phone requires. You can get them online or at a place like Fry's Electronics.
Take a look inside the socket and then at the plug-in part of your charger itself. I'd say there is a good chance that this particular combination is not making proper contact. With a little luck, you may be able to bend something to ensure proper contact.
If that doesn't work, try using a different brand of charger adapter which still has the same connector that your phone requires. You can get them online or at a place like Fry's Electronics.
Thread Starter
Stellabarbara
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 99
Likes: 11
From: Washington Michigan
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
When I had a '90, I had no problems in using a phone charger (all kinds) via the lighter socket.
Take a look inside the socket and then at the plug-in part of your charger itself. I'd say there is a good chance that this particular combination is not making proper contact. With a little luck, you may be able to bend something to ensure proper contact.
If that doesn't work, try using a different brand of charger adapter which still has the same connector that your phone requires. You can get them online or at a place like Fry's Electronics.
Take a look inside the socket and then at the plug-in part of your charger itself. I'd say there is a good chance that this particular combination is not making proper contact. With a little luck, you may be able to bend something to ensure proper contact.
If that doesn't work, try using a different brand of charger adapter which still has the same connector that your phone requires. You can get them online or at a place like Fry's Electronics.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 30
From: Granite City Illinois
Take a look inside the lighter socket with a flashlight try to see if its corroded on the sides ot a the center where the button makes contact. I took my lighter socket out cleaned it with a selection of small knife blades screwdrivers etc. And sprayed it down good with electrical contact cleaner.
Some things I plug in give a perfectly consistent reliable connection, some I still have play with to gt contact. It could be different shaped connectors or corrosion.
Some things I plug in give a perfectly consistent reliable connection, some I still have play with to gt contact. It could be different shaped connectors or corrosion.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Are you getting a message: "Unable to charge"?
Have 3 car chargers, and received "Unable to charge" message.
Called phone company.... no help.... see repair shop.
Checked internet for suggestions..... BINGO.
It was suggested to clean all contacts with eye glass cleaner.
Worked for me.
Used electrical contact cleaner without success.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 51
From: Connecticut
Please explain your thought process on this. I was not aware of an industry standard change for the cigarette power port in the last 50 or so years.
____________
OP: I assume you have tested your charger in another vehicle for proper operation???? If not please do and let us know the outcome.
If you have verified operation in another vehicle then we can assume the lighter plug in your car is the issue and not the phone or the charger. Until then we are chasing rabbits down holes.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,348
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If your still confused go chase the rabbits!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 51
From: Connecticut
I've had a couple very nice charging adapters that won't work in a "CASCO" lighter outlet (C4 corvette) but work in the charging/power port of mine and everyone else's vehicles. I've a Grand Prix with both a lighter and a charging/power port, cigar lighter has never been used but heats element to "RED HOT" and charger doesn't work, charging/power port works fine. I believe it has to do with the type of "grounding contact" are on the adapter.
If your still confused go chase the rabbits!
If your still confused go chase the rabbits!
Rabbit season it is!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 239
From: Venice Cali.
I changed out my socket with aebay parts piece.
It screwed together and was pretty easy, The ONLY problem when you do it is the power wire is not extra long at all. Just have to tape it up good so no shorts.
It was on ebay somewhere I just can't be sure which one.
Good luck
It screwed together and was pretty easy, The ONLY problem when you do it is the power wire is not extra long at all. Just have to tape it up good so no shorts.
It was on ebay somewhere I just can't be sure which one.
Good luck
Last edited by xrav22; Oct 4, 2014 at 07:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Stellabarbara
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 99
Likes: 11
From: Washington Michigan
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
Well, first... Thank you all for your support and help. As the lighter did work but not a phone charger, I took the fuse out and cleaned the socket , which wasn't all that dirty, and found that it now works. I can charge my phone ..... Yeah! I am so happy. Another little step forward. Now I just have to figure out my CD player... Winter project I guess.