Hi,

I have a 1998 LS400 and I seem to be having a problem with the front cigarette lighter and the accessory power plug in the center console. Do they share a common fusible link or a common fuse under the shifter that feed only the lighters? I am pretty sure that the fuse in the main panel box is ok; that circuit is tied in with the SRS and I don't have an airbag light on and my car passed inspection (my state requires airbag). I have heard that there is a fuse under the lighter that serves the lighter only, but I am thinking that it might also serve the power plug in the center console.;usually they are paired; for American cars anyway. Thanks guy's

 

I had a lot of trouble with mine--it would blow a fuse when the lighter was pushed in-- and never could get power from the original assembly. I replaced it with an Advanced Auto accessory power/ lighter assembly and it works great now. You will need to remove the console cover--pries up from the edge next to the armrest--may need to have ignition key on to allow movement of shifter to allow removal. Take out original lighter and replace with new lighter assembly. There are several posts on this same subject in the LS400 section. Good luck!

 

Ok, thanks, I will try that. This is a stupid question but when I when I tried them the car was not on(accessory mode, or engine running; no key in ignition). Could that have something to do with it? I have always owned American cars (this is my first foreign). I just picked up the car yesterday and when I tested them last night I didn't think about the engine. I won't have the car until tonight. Thanks

 

I found some sites online that show that Lexus cigarette lighters only work when the car is running or in accessory mode. Hopefully this applies to 98LS400; I am going to check when I get car back tonight. Every car I have owned has provided power to to cigarette lighter 100% of the time; I didn't even consider this.

 

Ignition key has to be in the ACC position for the cigarette lighter to work on the LS400.
If it blows fuses there have been cases where a small coin has fell in there shorting it out.

 

Ok, thanks. Hopefully this will be a wild goose chase and they will work with the car running.

 

If you only plan to use it for charging purposes and not to light cigarettes although maybe that does work I'm not sure you could wire in a 2 or 3 way power outlet. The cigarette lighter in my ls wasn't working and I was about to buy a new socket but decided I needed more than 1 place to charge things anyway so instead I pulled the ashtray, disconnected the wire from the back of it, cut the plug off a 3 way power outlet and soldered the wires together. With enough wire you could then place it pretty well anywhere you like.

 

The lighters in my 98 LS only work when the car is running.

 

Thanks for the input guy's. All the other cars I have owned (lincoln, cadillac) in my life did work, so I kind of overlooked that they may not power with the engine.

 

yep, the car does not necessarily have to be on. the key just has to be in accessory mode (first click when you turn the key), for well...accessories (i.e. radio, cig lighter)!