I suppose an appropriate back story would help in this situation...

I acquired a portable tire inflator from my old man and started using it from time to time when the weather would fluxuate and cause my tire pressure to drop a little. I used the little bastard somewhat often and would generally plug it into the rear cigarette lighter that was on the rear end of the center console. One day, it just went out..stopped working. Of course, I have a busy schedule, so I didnt make the time to really check it out and just plugged it into the front. worked great for a month or two and just recently went out, as well. So, now here are my following questions in which I hope to receive some very insightful answers from you guys

1. Is there a cigarette fuse? if so, where is it? i checked under the hood to the fuse box and saw nothing that could be helpful.
2. Though Ive still yet to check the rear cigarette lighter, i noticed the one up front was pushed out 1/3rd of the way (the socket) and currently feels loose...could this be a tell tale sign of my existing problem?
3. How do I take apart the ashtray/cigarette section to check out the socket separation?

thanks in advance you guys..hope to hear from very great and helpful responses.

 

The fuse is under the dash on the drivers side. IIRC it's a 15 amp fuse. The front ashtray actually comes out. Open up the ashtray and just wiggle it out. However, someone will have to chime in on the rear one.

 

Would both lighters be on the same fuse? I'll check it out in a bit...I'm at work.

 

Usually they would run on separate 15's. I'm not positive on where it's at though.

 

I checked under the dash...didn't know which fuse was what, so I checked em all. All came back normal

 

No label on the panel?

Could be in the factory manual if you need to know another time. In my Corolla the lighter socket had a busted and poorly connected ground attached to it and the entire assembly was loose. Solution was a new connection (better ground) and some glue (simple enough) to keep it together. In your car, obviously newer, it could just be messed up inside the lighter. That's why parts store sell them. Not a bad idea to inspect it while you have it out though.

 

Seems to be the actual cigarette lighter tube is busted....

Power goes through the wires to the unit, but doesn't transfer it to the sleeve.... So I gotta replace that. I wonder if Oreillys or vato zone sells it.

 

Yeah I had to replace both of mine. However no one had the length I needed so I just bastardized the plug and housing but they both work now

 

I bet the fuse at the bottom of the actual lighter busted. Believe it or not, its a common thing. If you can find the OEM ones, I would use them...Go to a local junk yard and find a couple.

 

How did you do it?

And how did you gain access to the rear cigarette lighter?

 

The rear A/C vent and cigarette lighter pulls out as an entire piece. After that it's self explanatory. You'll have to remove your cigarette lighter, then bring it to an autoparts store and match it up as best you can (as far as length and width). At that point, you'll have to basically merge them together.

Using the original lighter housing, then putting the guts of the new one in. Kinda hard, but kinda not lol

 

Yeah I bought some generic cigarette lighters and fitted them in. Had to basically cut the wires at the end and put fitting on them for the new cigarette lighter and fit them to The existing hole. Wasn't difficult, but wasn't a bolt on affair, either....had to use a little creativity.

Thanks for all that have contributed on this thread :-)

 

did u replace the fuse?

 

No.. why would I? The fuses were fine..