Odd electrics one... Garmin from lighter socket

[Pupp]

Once again, I got caught out on a run yesterday when my sat-nav ran out of puff despite being plugged in to the Chim lighter socket. This has happened before (in rural France!) but I put it down to a faulty power lead, which was duly changed. After a bit of investigation this morning, the thing runs ok from the lighter socket in my other car, runs ok from a mains adaptor, but won't run in the Tiv.... the Tiv socket has a min 12.6v showing on it with correct polarity with engine not running, and happily powers other stuff (phone charger etc). I'm guessing it's maybe not a voltage issue but current. Anyone know where the lighter spur taps into the main loom?

[Barreti]

Are you sure the end power nipple is reaching the bottom of the socket?
I had this in my Jag and the Tom Tom is a bit hit and miss in the TVR so I have to keep my eyes on it.

[Pupp]

I'm not 100% sure, no... but I've tried leaning on it and twisting - I've also tried some alternative plugs with mini-usb ends on them. No go on any - they all work in the other car with the sat-nav

[Barreti]

Have you tried any other lighter driven devices like a compressor for instance?
A phone charger takes no voltage so isn't much of a test of the wiring.

[jamienshelly]

Try testing the socket with a test light if you have one if not make one using a bulp nd some wire, use a high wattage bulb like an indicator or fog light bulb (21w) if the bulb lights up brightly then there is no issue with the current but may just be a dirty positive terminal where the adapter touches inside the socket, a bit of a clean with fine emery cloth and should be ok.

[threespins]

Had the same problem, the socket is probably corroded making poor contact. I installed a socket that fits in front of the window switches just for that purpose. Keeps nice and warm there in front of heater vent.

[peaktorque]

The cable that feeds the socket can break down on the as it passes into the door (the copper suffers with fatigue due to the effects of the door being open, closed, open, closed.......)

You may have power at the socket when you test it, but as soon as you apply any load to it, the power could be dropping out.

[Pupp]

Thanks; I'll stick something with more of a load on it and see what occurs...

[trumpet1608]

I had a similar problem a couple of years ago. My sat nav worked with the door open but not when closed. The feed wire was broken but the ends obviously touched when the door was opened. The feed wire was replaced and it works OK now.

I got some funny looks in France when I opened the door every time I stopped at traffic lights to allow the sat nav to charge!!

[Robert Lees]

Ha, mine does that!. Speaker and lighter don't work when the door is shut , but do when it's open. Did u change feed yourself? Or get auto electrician?