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low voltage coming from cigarette lighter

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Old Oct 10, 2015 | 09:23 AM
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Default low voltage coming from cigarette lighter

I have to troubleshoot this more, but I noticed that the cigarette lighter in the center console doesn't seem to be putting out a whole lot of power. I say this because I have a 2.4A charger hooked to it in order to charge my phone but it charges really slowly compared to when this same charger is in my other car. I did also try another charger at 2.1A and that was also slowly charging.

The other lighter doesn't work at all, but that's probably because I blew the fuse (again) when replacing my radio bezel during the last stereo upgrade.

I would just live with this problem since the car is 15 years old, but whenever I use GPS the phone uses power more quickly than it can charge. That could mean I get near my destination that I don't know how to get to and the phone dies.

What's the best solution here? Is this common?
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Old Oct 10, 2015 | 09:52 AM
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Default check the clip

Originally Posted by shredhead1080
I have to troubleshoot this more, but I noticed that the cigarette lighter in the center console doesn't seem to be putting out a whole lot of power. I say this because I have a 2.4A charger hooked to it in order to charge my phone but it charges really slowly compared to when this same charger is in my other car. I did also try another charger at 2.1A and that was also slowly charging.

The other lighter doesn't work at all, but that's probably because I blew the fuse (again) when replacing my radio bezel during the last stereo upgrade.

I would just live with this problem since the car is 15 years old, but whenever I use GPS the phone uses power more quickly than it can charge. That could mean I get near my destination that I don't know how to get to and the phone dies.

What's the best solution here? Is this common?
The lighter has a less than bullet proof connector on the back..
It clips on with 2 side clips but 1 clip can come loose and the connector will stay on BARLEY making contact, this could be your problem..

Bob
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Old Oct 10, 2015 | 09:57 AM
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Fuse 7 in the I/P fuse box provides power to the cigarette lighter and the accessory port in the console. So, you have two issues to resolve.

You are going to have to measure the voltage at the console. May be hard to do and since you need to access the cigarette lighter also you will have better access to it. By removing the console you can tell if you are getting 12 volts into it to see if the element may be bad.

You are going to need to access the cigarette lighter and measure the voltage there (on the back side) to see if the element is bad or if it is not getting power.

You could have bad connections, power issues, ground issues, or a bad element or two.

I would like you to measure the voltage using a good known ground and not rely on the ground wire at the elements. If you have power then we can check out the grounds to see if that is the issue or an element.

Hope this makes sense. If you need any info on what is a power wire versus ground let me know.


Mr. Sam
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Old Oct 10, 2015 | 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by dadaroo
Fuse 7 in the I/P fuse box provides power to the cigarette lighter and the accessory port in the console. So, you have two issues to resolve.

You are going to have to measure the voltage at the console. May be hard to do and since you need to access the cigarette lighter also you will have better access to it. By removing the console you can tell if you are getting 12 volts into it to see if the element may be bad.

You are going to need to access the cigarette lighter and measure the voltage there (on the back side) to see if the element is bad or if it is not getting power.

You could have bad connections, power issues, ground issues, or a bad element or two.

I would like you to measure the voltage using a good known ground and not rely on the ground wire at the elements. If you have power then we can check out the grounds to see if that is the issue or an element.

Hope this makes sense. If you need any info on what is a power wire versus ground let me know.


Mr. Sam
Yup, fuse 7 was bad, so the one in the front console is covered. I always blow that fuse when re-installing the radio bezel since I have to reconnect the lighter. I won't be taking that apart for a while, so I'm not concerned.

I measured 13 volts from both lighters. I measured in the lighter itself and also on the center console one I measured directly using the wires in the connector. Orange is power, black is ground.

If I'm getting 13 volts like I should, what's next to check?
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Old Oct 10, 2015 | 10:24 AM
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If you have voltage and ground then it has to be the receptacle.

If you can't replace a connector without blowing a fuse you might want to remove the negative battery cable or pull the fuse first. Blowing fuses is not good. Don't expect them to work 100% of the time. They are man made.

Last edited by dadaroo; Oct 10, 2015 at 11:11 AM.
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Old Oct 10, 2015 | 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by dadaroo
If you have voltage and ground then it has to be the receptacle.

If you can't replace a connector without blowing a fuse you might want to remove the negative battery cable of pull the fuse first. Blowing fuses is not good. Don't expect them to work 100% of the time. They are man made.
Yes, that has been a lesson learned... I guess next time I need to pull the bezel I could remove fuse #7 too. that way the lighter wont be receiving power.

ok found GM part# 25774623 as a replacement.
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Old Oct 10, 2015 | 11:14 AM
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Let us know if that does it. Unless Murphy lives at your home it should fix you up.

Are you sure it will not charge the phone properly now with the fuse replaced???????? It would have had NO power there.


Mr. Sam
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Old Oct 10, 2015 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by dadaroo
Let us know if that does it. Unless Murphy lives at your home it should fix you up.

Are you sure it will not charge the phone properly now with the fuse replaced???????? It would have had NO power there.


Mr. Sam
I have been afraid to use that one because my radio bezel isn't in the greatest condition. At one point when I used that outlet and unplugged the charger, it pulled the outlet right through the plastic. Since repairing or replacing the radio bezel is quite a bit more expensive I have avoided using that outlet. That and the fact that I had not replaced the blown fuse until today. I suppose at some point I can try some other methods to repair the bezel on my own. So many things to do, so little time.

I'm willing to throw down $6 (eBay) to see if the center console one does what I need however. 5 minute install...

As an aside, I did see this cable from a company called Compliance Parts that hooks up to the accessory power near the fuse box. That would give me one that turns on and off with the key. This is tempting since this isn't my primary car and I would love to leave a charger plugged in all the time that won't kill my battery. Unfortunately it seems this isn't available anymore, or at least that website looks to be 10+ years old and no link to order exists anymore. I did contact the company.
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Old Oct 10, 2015 | 11:47 AM
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On 97-03 there are 3 accessory feeds in the passenger foot well for auxiliary power. They are either ALWAYS HOT or HOT in Accessory/Ignition ON.

In 04 they are not there but you can still use a Fuse Adapter/Buddy to power off a circuit.

Let me know what year you have and I can provide you that info. Done it for many people to power various things.


Mr. Sam
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Old Oct 11, 2015 | 02:51 AM
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Try measuring the voltage at the back side of the accessory plug while charging the phone.

On the 97-03 you can connect the 2 wires on the accessory connector and remove a fuse to turn one of the ports into a switched port. I can't recall which one so I'd have to check the schematics tomorrow. Also, you may be using those wires for your stereo.
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Old Oct 11, 2015 | 07:21 AM
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My sincere apologies but the Center Console port is powered by Fuse 1 in the I/P fuse box and not 7. I glanced too quickly at the schematic for power distribution yesterday.

For 1997-2003

In the passenger foot well there should be 3 auxiliary power wires.

Orange wire taped off. Always powered from Fuse #7 (20 Amp). This Fuse is shared with the cigarette lighter.

Orange wire to a connector. Always powered from Fuse #1 (20 Amp). Fuse is shared with the accessory power port in the center console.

Yellow wire taped off. Powered from ignition switch when in "ACC or On". Powered from Fuse #11 (20 Amp). Not shared with anything.

Here is a link with more info and pictures:

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ad.php?t=14632


In 2004 these wires are not there but the fuses are. You can use a Fuse Adapter to tap power from them.
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