Cigarette Lighter

[is200 Newbie]

Just found out that the cigarette lighter socket does not work in the car ... I am not a smoker but would like to use it to charge phone etc. The socket under the armrest works fine.

The cigarette lighter itself does not work either - it does not stay down when pushed and just pops back up.

Anyone know what the fault could be - I will struggle to use the one under the arm rest as there is not enough room to put the arm rest down when the plug is in and something's plugged into it.

[steve2006]

In order to diagnose the problem you need a digital multimeter to check for 12 volts at the socket and work back.

I assume as the other armrest socket works the fuse will be common to both and therefore OK but it still may be worth checking just incase they do have seperate fuses.

[is200 Newbie]

Thanks Steve

Any idea where the fuse for this would be located? I don't think it will be this as everything else is working ok and I cant see Lexus putting the cigarette socket on a single fused line but it wont hurt to check it out.

Its the first time I have come to use it so its probably been dead since I bought yjr car.

thanks

[is200 Newbie]

Just done a quick search on the web for this - seems there a lot of people that have reported the fault in the states.

It does look like its on a single fuse (15amp) in the cabin, number 36 I think but will check this tomorrow - a lot of people have replaced the fuse to find it has blown again soon after replacing..

[james250]

Could be someone didnt plug the connector back in after remove centre console at some stage?

[TigerFish]

If they are the same design in all the Lexus models then they will also have a fuse link in the base of the socket. They can blow, especially if someone has used a high drain item in it like some tyre inflators.

Sent from my Iphone using Lexus OC

[steve2006]

Good point,also check if something like a 5p piece has dropped into it and caused a short,may also explain why the cigar lighter doesn't engage.

[toffee_pie]

i tried use my lighter and it did not work, (dont smoke but just saw this and gave it a go), i hooked up a phone charger and it worked though.

so.......

it works, but the lighter itself might be iffy

[is200 Newbie]

Finally got round to checking this - don't use the lighter so its not top of my list.

Found that the fuse had blown. Also found that the two tabs that hold the lighter down when in use had been bent out of the way and as a result would not hold the lighter down when pressed. Bent back and now fine.

Anyone know if the fuse shown in the picture below is a standard fuse - will Halfords / Motorworld etc sell these?

[normski2]

Yep I struggled with those. Think they were called mini fuses.

Aha this looks right

http://www.halfords.com/sat-nav-audio/car-audio/stereo-fitting-accessories/autoleads-mini-blade-fuses-6-pack

[is200 Newbie]

Thanks Normski

Sorted - Tried Motorworld (theres a small shop by work - failing that it was Halfords) 2 fuses for £2.

Replaced the blown one and all is well.

The guy in the shop had these in stock for almost 2 years and I was the first person to buy any in that period.