'84 Carrera lighter won't charge phone

[Synchromesh]

Ran into the usual problem with the 12V cigarette socket not working at all. Was able to take it out and redo the wiring with blade connector. So when I plug in a USB charger the little light lights up. I was also able to power a portable vacuum into it and it worked fine. However, it will not charge the phone! I tried phone + wire + usb charger in another car so I know the combo works. What can I do here? I'm a little stumped!

[DRACO A5OG]

Have you verified the phone charger is working? Is it wobbly in the socket?

[75 911s]

There's a thread floating around about a fix. Something about German cig lighter was slightly bigger so our modern tiny phone charges just fall out. Happens in mine too.

[tmadden2]

Originally Posted by 75 911s

There's a thread floating around about a fix. Something about German cig lighter was slightly bigger so our modern tiny phone charges just fall out. Happens in mine too.

I was able to take out the slop between the two with a rubber o-ring on the USB charger body. Nothing fancy - just something from the plumbing section at Lowe's. It added enough to the circumference to get a snug fit in the lighter socket.

[Driven97]

There used to be companies that sold a simple adapter sleeve to adapt the modern common size to the slightly lager size that older German cars use, but I can't seem to find them with my Google skills this morning.

I solved the problem by adding a cheap little 12v to dual USB adapter from Amazon to the radio circuit. The plugs hang fairly invisibly at the top of the passenger footwell when not in use. I'm sure a more elegant hidden flush mount USB port setup wouldn't be much more difficult.

Something like this:

[DRACO A5OG]

LOL, that would be me, but I wanted to make sure OP's charger was working.

Sorry about the pics, they are being held hostage by ******* PhotoBucket

Dr. Bulczynski 3.2 Cigarette Lighter MOD $5.99

But description of parts are there

Originally Posted by 75 911s

There's a thread floating around about a fix. Something about German cig lighter was slightly bigger so our modern tiny phone charges just fall out. Happens in mine too.

[Synchromesh]

Well, I get the problem is that it's a bit loose in there but I figure when light is on on the USB adapter it should have power, is that not the case?

[DRACO A5OG]

Yes, that is logical but you have to insure the charger is not defective as LED indicator light does not take much or if the component inside is defective to reduce the voltage to properly charge the phone it could not charge.

Check it to another car and verify charger is working.

[Synchromesh]

Like I said, if I plug the charger/wire/phone combo into my Subaru it works just fine and has been for a long time. So this is definitely a problem with 911's outlet.

[DRACO A5OG]

Okay understood and your other devices work just not the phone.

Can you measure the voltage out put with car on? Curious as to what type of voltage is being put out.

[Busta Rib]

Buy a replacement cigarette lighter socket, cut it in half lengthwise and use it as a makeshift spacer. Just use the metal sleeve, not any of the plastic parts around it. Our sockets are slightly too big. This will take up the slack. Easy/cheap mod and only takes a couple minutes to accomplish. There are a couple threads on this as well. This one is only a couple bucks on Amazon: http://a.co/jc39J9k

[Jack Stands]

This is what Valentine radar detectors used to come with as an adapter for the German cars. Wonder if they're still available, but the little USB adapters make sense these days.

[964TargaC2]

In most German cars, Porsche in particular (being high end) it was not a cigarette lighter, it was a cigar lighter, thus the larger od..

[maxelman]

Revisiting this a few years later - I ran into the same issue with my 1989 930. I designed this 3D printed sleeve to solve the issue:





The file is available for free here: https://www.printables.com/model/868419-porsche-911-cigarette-lighter-tension-fit-sleeve

I can put it up on Etsy if anyone wants a printed version.

[faverymi]

Size matters

That's what she said

[pmax]

Originally Posted by 964TargaC2

In most German cars, Porsche in particular (being high end) it was not a cigarette lighter, it was a cigar lighter, thus the larger od..

Of course.

Originally Posted by Jack Stands

This is what Valentine radar detectors used to come with as an adapter for the German cars.
...

Valentine adapter ?