Is it possible to fix my jeep's cigarette lighter?

Question

I just bought a 1999 jeep wrangler. Everything workes, all of the electric, except the cigarette lighter doesnt work. I want to hook my ipod up, but i cant for this reason, and my jeep doesnt have a cassette player. anyother suggestions or a way to fix the lighter and how much it will cost?? thanks!

Answer 1

CIGAR LIGHTER AND POWER OUTLET

An accessory power outlet is standard equipment

on this model. The power outlet is installed in the

instrument panel accessory switch bezel, which is

located near the bottom of the instrument panel center

bezel area, next to the ash receiver. A plastic cap

snaps into the power outlet base when the power outlet

is not in use. A cigar lighter that fits into the

power outlet is a dealer-installed option.

The power outlet base or receptacle shell is connected

to ground, and an insulated contact in the

bottom of the shell is connected to battery current.

The power outlet receives battery voltage from a fuse

in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) through the

accessory relay only when the ignition switch is in

the Accessory or On positions. See Accessory Relay in

this group for more information.

Two small spring-clip retainers are located on

either side of the insulated contact inside the bottom

of the receptacle shell. These clips engage and hold

the heating element of the dealer-installed cigar

lighter against the insulated contact long enough for

the resistor coil to heat up. When the resistor coil

becomes sufficiently heated, excess heat radiates

from the heating element causing the spring-clips to

expand, releasing the heating element.

The cigar lighter/power outlet base is serviced only

as a part of the accessory switch bezel unit. If the

base is faulty or damaged, the accessory switch bezel

unit must be replaced.

ACCESSORY RELAY

The accessory relay is located in a wire harness

connector that is secured to the 100-way connector

bracket under the driver side of the instrument

panel, near the cowl side inner panel in the passenger

compartment. The accessory relay cannot be

repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be

replaced.

RELAY CIRCUIT TEST

(1) The relay common feed terminal (30) cavity of

the relay wire harness connector is connected to battery

voltage and should be hot at all times. If OK, go

to Step 2. If not OK, repair the fused B(+) circuit to

the fuse in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) as

required.

(2) The relay normally closed terminal (87A) is

connected to terminal 30 in the de-energized position,

but is not used for this application. Go to Step 3.

(3) The relay normally open terminal (87) is connected

to the common feed terminal (30) in the energized

position. This terminal supplies battery voltage

to the cigar lighter or power outlet when the relay is

energized by the ignition switch. There should be

continuity between the relay wire harness connector

cavity for relay terminal 87 and the accessory relay

output circuit cavity of the cigar lighter or power outlet

wire harness connector at all times. If OK, go to

Step 4. If not OK, repair the open circuit to the cigar

lighter or power outlet wire harness connector as

required.

(4) The coil battery terminal (86) is connected to

the electromagnet in the relay. The relay wire harness

connector cavity for this terminal should have

continuity to ground at all times. If OK, go to Step 5.

If not OK, repair the open circuit to ground as

required.

(5) The coil ground terminal (85) is connected to

the electromagnet in the relay. It receives battery

feed to energize the relay when the ignition switch is

in the Accessory or On positions. There should be

continuity between the relay wire harness connector

cavity for relay terminal 85 and the ignition switch

output (acc/run) cavity of the ignition switch wire

harness connector at all times. If OK, refer to Group

8D - Ignition Systems for diagnosis of the ignition

switch. If not OK, repair the open circuit as required.

If the cigar lighter/power outlet needs replacing the part number should be 56007314AC about $50 at the dealers.

Answer 2

Check the fuse for the lighter, see your owners manual for the location.

Also make sure the lighter socket is clean. If not, I'd recommend disconnecting the battery before cleaning it, or at very least dont stick anything metal in it!

Do not disconnect the positive battery terminal! Should your wrench touch ANY metal part on your car while on the positive battery terminal, your in for a shock hot enough to melt your wrench. ALWAYS disconnect the NEGATIVE terminal first!

Answer 3

Your 12V DC power socket could possibly be dirty or corroded, in which case a small wire brush would suffice to clean it(be sure to disconnect the positive battery terminal first).  However, if that fails to fix it, you may have to examine the possibility that it has shorted out or is simply broken.  In that case, the easiest thing to do would be to buy one at a local car parts store or Wal-mart and simply cut, strip and reconnect the wires to the new one yourself(once again, disconnecting the positive battery terminal first).  Online they run around $8.99(Advance Auto) for a basic model or $9.99(Auto Zone) for a dual socket.

Answer 4

If you can try and test to see if there is power in there with a test light (careful)  SOme times cig lighters are so corroded up with stuff they don't give a good connection to anything you plug in.  Look at the fuses..

People for some reason like to use the wires for the cig lighter to power a aftermarket radio.  You may have to open the dash and fix the bad wiring job done my some novice guy looking for a quick EGO boost.

Answer 5

did you check the fuse?

use a voltmeter to work backwards to the fuse block.

could be the outlet itself, make sure voltage is at the outlet connection.

if it is could be the ground connection or the outlet itself.

it not go the the fuse block, voltage present, could be the wire.

no voltage, change the fuse.

still doesn't work, fuse block problem.

you can always buy a multi outlet under dash panel for your car.

you can wire it into an unused circuit on the fuse block and provide a ground.

it mounts under the dash and gives you two or more outlets.  make sure it is fused though.

edit:  nothing would prevent you from fixing it that i know of.  it is most likely a very simple malfunction.

DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE FIRST.  IF YOUR WRENCH ACCIDENTLY TOUCHES THE CAR BODY, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN SINCE THE CABLE IS ATTACHED TO THE CAR BODY.  IF YOU DISCONNECT THE POSITIVE FIRST, AND TOUCH THE CAR BODY, YOU WILL HAVE A DIRECT SHORT AND A HOT WRENCH.