Ciggy Ports

[Guru]

Evening all,

I've started trying to fix my ciggy ports seeing as we are going to Scotland soon for two weeks.
They worked a few years back but randomly stopped working.

I had a look at G8's (thanks for this) instructions but I have not been unable to fix.

I've replaced the top right fuse (no. with other 15amp fuses, which didn't work so I expect it is the fusible link.
I've gone on the bongo shop and eBay but cannot find any. The shop just has the link for the glow plugs.

Strangely, the rear port stopped working at the same time.

Do you think it is worth buying some spare fuses to try them too?
Or am I best trying to replace the link and if so, where can I get them from?

Many thanks,

Andy

[g8dhe]

The fusible link is built into the socket itself, they aren't strictly replaceable, but I tend to wind a bit of 10Amp fuse wire around the pins that support the link at the back.

[Guru]

Thanks Geoff.

As someone who is not electrically savvy but willing to give something a try, what's the best thing to do?
Do as you suggested or can I buy a new socket all together?

Nothing immediately obvious on eBay or the shop.

Thanks,

Andy

[g8dhe]

Personally I'd just wrap some 10 Amp fuse wire around the link pins! But you can get the sockets easily enough see here http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/s ... gs-sockets

[Gasy]

These are good if your going to replace it

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Car-Cigar ... SwdzVXo0IA

Ebay item number 121917924607

[rita]

Lots on ebay and places like

http://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/cigar-lig ... ckets.html

[Guru]

Thanks everyone.

Geoff - I'm willing to try and sort out. Should I remove the original fusible link or just wrap some more around it?

I saw a lot of items that had additional wires coming out of them - I assume that's to make them light up?
Was unsure how that would fit in the dash as the hole is only so big.

Gasy - I've only got one socket hole. Unsure how that would fit too?

Thanks again.

[g8dhe]

Yes that is why I suggest using the existing one it saves the hassle of trying to change all the mounting etc. Have you been able to check that it is actually the link? I would just wrap the fuse wire around the original, first a couple of times around one set of pins then across to the other set and wrap tightly around them,if you have a soldering iron even better.

[Guru]

Well, it wasn't the fuse so it has to be the link, right?

My local maplins only does 5/15/30 - no 10amp.

Will any of them suffice?

[g8dhe]

Well not a 100% certain, it could be a broken wire leading to the socket, but the fusible link is the most common problem!
As the socket is fused anyway, its not that critical to be honest, use 15 Amp fuse wire.

[sotal]

I wouldn't imagine it would be the fusible link if they both went at the same time. I would imagine your problem would lie elsewhere.

Have you got a multimeter, or failing that a couple of pieces of wire and a 12v bulb?

Unplug the socket from the wiring and test the wires that go to the socket. With the ignition on you should get 12v. If using wire and a bulb just push a wire into each of the spade connector sockets (be careful to make sure the wires don't touch each other) and then connect the other ends to the bulb.

I think you'll find that you're not even getting 12v to that point - which would then rule out the need for a new socket.



Out of interest do you have a Leisure battery fitted?

[Guru]

Thanks sortal.

I haven't got a multimeter, wire or a bulb. As I say, I am content to try as I am always willing to learn, but haven't touched electrics since I was in school...

I'll go and buy a cheap multimeter from Screwfix tomorrow.

If I'm not getting 12v to that point, what's the next step?

Thanks

[sotal]

OK once you have your multimeter do the following...

Put the black wire into the socket on the multimeter which says 'COM'
Put the red wire into the socket on the multimeter which has a 'V' (not the one with 10A next to it)

Set the dial to the 12V setting - often this will be 20V rather than 12 either will be fine.


Use the probe end of the wires to test for the voltage. Pull the plug off the back of the cigarette lighter socket. Push one probe into each spade socket. You should see 12v on the screen or possibly -12v if you get the sockets the wrong way round (doesn't matter if you do).

If you get 12v at that point then the socket itself is at fault.

If you get a low voltage or 0.00 or --- then you have a problem further back.


The initial suspect would be the fuse but you've said you checked that, following that the wiring from the fusebox would be my next area to investigate with a possible break in the wire.

Let us know what voltage you get. If you can check both lighter sockets that would be useful.

To help us help you can you answer these questions?

What age is the Bongo?
Does it have a leisure battery fitted?
How many batteries are there under the bonnet?
Is the Bongo converted at all?
Has anything else stopped working?

[cmm303]

Evening all,

I've started trying to fix my ciggy ports seeing as we are going to Scotland soon for two weeks.
They worked a few years back but randomly stopped working.

I had a look at G8's (thanks for this) instructions but I have not been unable to fix.

I've replaced the top right fuse (no. with other 15amp fuses, which didn't work so I expect it is the fusible link.
I've gone on the bongo shop and eBay but cannot find any. The shop just has the link for the glow plugs.

Strangely, the rear port stopped working at the same time.

Do you think it is worth buying some spare fuses to try them too?
Or am I best trying to replace the link and if so, where can I get them from?

Many thanks,

Andy

Once checked the basics at each ciggy plug to eliminate coincidental failure at each individual plug, maybe focus on what is common to the two ciggy plugs.
Confirm that radio and electric mirrors still work when ciggy plugs don't.
Do you have a leisure battery? It would be unusual to have a fuse in the top right slot if you do, but just making sure!

[g8dhe]

A common problem with the fusible links is that someone plugs a device in that has a short on the plug, it doesn't work on the front/back so they then plug it in on the back/front - both sockets are now kaput So both fail at the "same time" !