Cigarette lighter replacement

[PNWEx]

Earlier today I took my cigarette lighter out of my 94 explorer limited. It has the one with the stud in the back. When I went to hook it back up it sparked, stopped working and my 20 amp cb fuse was hot. Did it just burn up the cb when I hooked it back up or is something else wrong?

 

[J_C]

You'll have to check the fuse to see if it's blown. I'd guess that when you put it back together, you omitted or put an insulator in the wrong place (or the insulator is broken apart) so the center contact was shorting against the metal body of it. You can use a multimeter in resistance mode to determine if the two lighter outlet contacts are shorting out before hooking it back up to power.

 

[PNWEx]

You'll have to check the fuse to see if it's blown. I'd guess that when you put it back together, you omitted or put an insulator in the wrong place (or the insulator is broken apart) so the center contact was shorting against the metal body of it. You can use a multimeter in resistance mode to determine if the two lighter outlet contacts are shorting out before hooking it back up to power

I have a multi meter. Would I just check the resistance between the two connectors? It doesn't have a fuse just a cb.

 

[PNWEx]

Do they still make the cigarette lighter with the stud in the back instead of the two prongs? Just took the lighter apart again and the insulator came crumbling out.

 

[J_C]

What are you referring to as a "cb", circuit breaker? There are no circuit breakers on the vehicle, only fuses, and a relay if it is only on with vehicle ignition switch in run or accessory position.

Yes, check resistance between the two connectors on the lighter outlet.

 

[J_C]

Do they still make the cigarette lighter with the stud in the back instead of the two prongs?

Who is they? Yes you can find that type on the market, not sure if motorcraft still has any OEM stock of them to sell. Is it a threaded stud or smooth with a snap on boot?

Snap on boot, here are some:

Interior > Cigarette Lighter > Cigarette Lighter | Shop Now at RockAuto

Interior Parts and More for Your Vehicle at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

More Information for DORMAN 56458

I don't know the measurements or your wiring so that's all I have.

 

[PNWEx]

What are you referring to as a "cb", circuit breaker? There are no circuit breakers on the vehicle, only fuses, and a relay if it is only on with vehicle ignition switch in run or accessory position.

Yes, check resistance between the two connectors on the lighter outlet.

According to the owners manual the big metal fuse is a circuit breaker...but yes it's a large 20 amp metal fuse. I'm sure the cigarette lighter needs to be replaced. Also my cigarette lighter socket stays on even with the truck off is this normal in a 94? I guess so you could light cigarettes without turning the truck on?

 

[PNWEx]

Who is they? Yes you can find that type on the market, not sure if motorcraft still has any OEM stock of them to sell. Is it a threaded stud or smooth with a snap on boot?

Snap on boot, here are some:

Interior > Cigarette Lighter > Cigarette Lighter | Shop Now at RockAuto

Interior Parts and More for Your Vehicle at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

More Information for DORMAN 56458

I don't know the measurements or your wiring so that's all I have.

It is a threaded stud that held the two pieces together guess when I put them back together I tightened it too much and snapped the insulator.

 

[PNWEx]

If need be can I cut the boot off and put a connector that fits on?

 

[J_C]

Sure you can use a different connector, as long as it's capable of the load you put on the outlet which is ideally what it's rated for, probably 15A+ or you stated 20A If that is the factory fuse value. However I'm not clear on why you'd need to. Did the excess current burn up the connector? If not, I'd think that's still usable.

It wouldn't surprise me if it stays live with the vehicle off. I don't see any info that what happened would change that. There are pros and cons to it staying live depending on avg. drain rate of the plugged in device vs how long till it's driven again to recharge the battery.

 

[PNWEx]

Sure you can use a different connector, as long as it's capable of the load you put on the outlet which is ideally what it's rated for, probably 15A+ or you stated 20A If that is the factory fuse value. However I'm not clear on why you'd need to. Did the excess current burn up the connector? If not, I'd think that's still usable.

It wouldn't surprise me if it stays live with the vehicle off. I don't see any info that what happened would change that. There are pros and cons to it staying live depending on avg. drain rate of the plugged in device vs how long till it's driven again to recharge the battery.

If I cant find a replacement with a threaded stud. And it has always stayed on since I've owned the vehichle I just make sure not to leave anything plugged in.

 

[PNWEx]

Got it fixed. I also see why everyone was confused about my stud question. But went and got a new 20 amp CB and lighter and boom!! Everything is good again. However, the first time I plugged an accessory in and took it out there was a spark. I tightened the little nut on the stud up alittle more and haven't had a spark since. So hopefully my truck won't burn down in the night.

 

[Steve Forbes]

FYI: What you have is known as a "switched outlet". It does NOT pass through the ignition switch as do nearly all such outlets today. You are correct that it was intended to allow one to "light up" or have power while the vehicle was turned off. My suspicion is that Big Brother began to insist that such devices should no longer be allowed because somehow, somewhere, some moron burned up a vehicle. With that being the case, if one needs 12 volts and to keep the vehicle off at the same time, it is necessary to wire one directly into the fuse panel or directly to the battery. Just be certain that there is an inline fuse between the battery and the outlet. (No duh?)

FWIW

 

[Mbrooks420]

FYI: What you have is known as a "switched outlet". It does NOT pass through the ignition switch as do nearly all such outlets today. You are correct that it was intended to allow one to "light up" or have power while the vehicle was turned off. My suspicion is that Big Brother began to insist that such devices should no longer be allowed because somehow, somewhere, some moron burned up a vehicle. With that being the case, if one needs 12 volts and to keep the vehicle off at the same time, it is necessary to wire one directly into the fuse panel or directly to the battery. Just be certain that there is an inline fuse between the battery and the outlet. (No duh?)

FWIW

Plenty of vehicles come with hot 12v ports with the key off. Big Brother has zero to do with this.

Also, he doesn’t have a switched outlet.