[Z06] Cigarette lighter socket won't power down
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 29
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From: Dallas Texas
Cigarette lighter socket won't power down
Bought an 04 Z06 last month. I leave my radar detector plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. However, when I turn my car off, the detector won't turn off. For some reason, the cigarette lighter won't power down when I turn the car off. I haven't seen this happen on any other car, but is this standard on the Z?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
The cigarette lighters in all of our GM cars stay constant 12v unless the battery is dead.
I'm not certain about the power outlet within the console. It's not intended as a cigarette lighter, so is it constant or switched 12v? I've never used it.
I'm not certain about the power outlet within the console. It's not intended as a cigarette lighter, so is it constant or switched 12v? I've never used it.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Dec 29, 2008 at 04:36 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 211
Likes: 11
From: Alamogordo New Mexico
The console is always hot. I have my radar detector plugged in their, as I routed the wires to hide them. I turn off the radar detector by the "off" button on the detector. I do unplug the detector if I park the car for along period of time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Paducah Kentucky
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Actually, some GM cars and trucks have a 12v socket which loses power when the key is out. Cobalt, G5, Aveo, and HHR (the ones I can remember offhand, anyway) kill power to the 12v outlets after removing the key.
I know this because I have tried to charge my phone at work by plugging into different vehicles in the showroom, and while some will charge with no key in the ignition, these vehicles won't.
My '02 Z06 stays live, meaning I have to turn off (or unplug) the detector, but my wife's Cobalt (and my old beater Honda Prelude) shut power when I turn the key off.
I know this because I have tried to charge my phone at work by plugging into different vehicles in the showroom, and while some will charge with no key in the ignition, these vehicles won't.
My '02 Z06 stays live, meaning I have to turn off (or unplug) the detector, but my wife's Cobalt (and my old beater Honda Prelude) shut power when I turn the key off.
Last edited by L8ApexZ06; Dec 30, 2008 at 12:50 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Bought an 04 Z06 last month. I leave my radar detector plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. However, when I turn my car off, the detector won't turn off. For some reason, the cigarette lighter won't power down when I turn the car off. I haven't seen this happen on any other car, but is this standard on the Z?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
As you now know, Chevy cig lighters are always hot. My S-10 pickup is also the same. Why don't you hardwire into the fuse box under the passenger footwell? Then it will turn on and off with the key. I know at least up to '03 there was a plug for wiring accessories in the footwell, not sure if the '04 still had it.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
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From: Southern CA
As you now know, Chevy cig lighters are always hot. My S-10 pickup is also the same. Why don't you hardwire into the fuse box under the passenger footwell? Then it will turn on and off with the key. I know at least up to '03 there was a plug for wiring accessories in the footwell, not sure if the '04 still had it.
Mine is hard wired to a circuit that shuts off under the pass foot well panel fuse box. Took about 1/2 hr.
