Cigarette lighters not working

[S3THUNDER]

I would like to be able to use a sat-nav, but neither lighters are working. I had a look at the wiring and found a black wire which has come away from somewhere, but I can't see where it should go. Does anyone have any ideas??

[Barry S1]

That looks like a old aerial wire to me check all the fuses, is every thing else working,

[S3THUNDER]

The wire in the picture is connected to the cigarette lighter, so it cannot be the aerial cable.

[phillpot]

A cigarette lighter needs a live and an earth, if the yellow wire is live (do you have a test lamp or a meter to find out?) the black must need to go to an earth connection somewhere.



Normally you would have live to the centre of the lighter, where the black wire seems to go and earth to the edge, where the yellow wire is?

Edited by phillpot on Sunday 20th July 22:36

[magpies]

centre wire is 12v and the outer is earth

[S3THUNDER]

I think I will have to disconnect the switches and remove the centre console panel,as it's difficult to see where the wires go.

[Oldred_V8S]

S3THUNDER said:

I think I will have to disconnect the switches and remove the centre console panel,as it's difficult to see where the wires go.

There is a multi connector behind the dash to the upper left corner of the centre console. Why not swap the cig lighter or a 5v USB outlet? They normally have twin outlets.

[jwigglesworth]

Haven't go the loose wire but on my S2 the lighter works fine, but nothing seems to connect when you plug it in. Been meaning to have a fiddle with it for ages but can't be bothered as rarely go anywhere requiring satnav.

[greymrj]

I wouldnt take the dash out any more than necessary, just as likely to cause other problems. The fact that there is a scotchlock connector and a couple of crimp on connectors suggests a bit of bodge wiring. I agree, first check the yellow cable is live with the ignition on (test meter or merely a wire and bulb to the steering column mountings....a good earth). If it is then buy a modern 12v output socket from someone like Car Builder Solutions or even Halfords! Then connect a new earth lead to one of the many earth connections available (should be any black leads unless more bodges have been done).
If you haven't already got one a copy of the Steve Heath 'bible' is a must if you are going to try to understand the wiring on your S.