Cigarette Lighter

[lyonsfin]

I have a 1983 911SC. When I test the cigarette lighter outlet I get 12 volts between the center and the sidewall. No accessories work when plugged in and the lighter won't heat up when pushed in. Someone suggested that the outlet may be a little wider than the norm and suggested I use a plastic insert slit to allow contact with sidewall. I tried it and no better. Any ideas?

Josh

[Joe Bob]

Yep the SC ciggy hole is larger than the US equivalent. The best fix I have seen is the simple plastic ring I got when I ordered the Valentine One radar detector.

I have since installed a standard US port for my accessories and left the giggy lighter to it's previous task.

[kidrock]

+1 what Joe Bob said. Common issue that's been discussed here many times before.

[MrScott]

So the lighter clicks but when it pops it's not hot? Give the center of the socket a good cleaning (after disconnecting the battery.) Wouldn't hurt to clean the lighter end either.

If it doesn't click or clicks but pops too soon, bend the sidewall tabs inward. The further they're bent the longer it will take to pop and the hotter it will be when it does. Again, be sure to first disconnect the battery.

If the lighter works properly but accessories don't, see advice above re: larger than standard socket.

[Joe Bob]

I don't think a US sized lighter will work in the euro receptacle....it may be a replacement.

[MrScott]

Good point. Your lighter should look like this:

[lyonsfin]

Thanks all. My lighter looks like the one in the pic and I will go back to work on it.

[bfunke]

Radio Shack used to sell a little plastic adaptor sleeve for Euro lighters allowing you to plug in US gadgets snugly. They probably still have available.

[nineball]

weird. my 83SC has the same cig lighter but i never had a problem with any accessories in it. guess i'll just be happy i am lucky.

[DRACO A5OG]

Is this what is need for our european plugs?

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by nineball

weird. my 83SC has the same cig lighter but i never had a problem with any accessories in it. guess i'll just be happy i am lucky.

Me too. I noticed that there are a number of adapters out there for the larger socket.

Also, I installed an American style ciggy socket in the bottom of my center console boot, right in the center. It powers my,cell phone charger, and leaves the dash clean and uncluttered.

[T77911S]

the bad thing about a MM is it does put a load on what you are testing and can send down the wrong road because you think something is good just because you have 12v. that is why I, along with all the auto electric guys i know use test lights for TS.

clip the TL to a good ground, then try the cig lighter again. if it works, check it form the center to the side of the lighter. you likely have a bad connection that will not conduct enough current to power anything. if it does not work connected to ground, the hot side of the ighter is bad, if it does not work connected to the side of the lighter, the ground side is bad.

[Joe Bob]

I got down to the ciggy lighter on my list of crap that needs to be fixed. I decided to install a double 12v "port" with the 'murican size hole so the newer charger male thingies will fit tightly. Can charge a cell and not have to disconnect the Valentine 1.

Anyways, my lighter has been banging around the glove box for years. I put it in the dash and it won't click down nor will the element heat up if I hold it in, like Momz did for years in her 56 bug with the windows rolled up and us kids in the back. Not that I'm bitter...hack, hack, cough up a lung.

Not that I need a ciggy lighter but I like things to work. Is it just the element, @ 16.00 here at Pelican or is there another issue with it not locking down?

Yes, the port still works. I had another one and it blew the fuse. THAT one went back into drawer.....

[James Brown]

You can get a gen-u-wine Porsche lighter that is the US standard from any Porsche dealer for $22.00 The hole needs a little filing out but it fits like factory, and chargers fit! I slipped in a Belkin micro USB charger and us it to power my iphone. Looks factory.

[bfunke]

Joe Bob,

Disconnect your battery and carefully bend the clips inside the lighter socket in a little. That should hold you lighter securely until it heats up.

[Joe Bob]

Ciggy lighter is on a switched side of the ignition. No power until ignition is on.

[kidrock]

Joe Bob,

I know I'm probably stating the obvious, so forgive me for the stupid question....have you tested your lighter housing with a Fluke yet?

I wasn't getting any juice to mine (key on, or key off) so I had to remove half the trunk to access the housing, just to find a stupid loose wire. Easy fix, just a real PITA to get to.

[Joe Bob]

Not a stupid question. In post #13, I mentioned that I tested it after one of the lighters blew the fuse. It's an anal thing.

I have a working double 12v port under the ashtray to charge my cell and run the Valentine 1 and a ciggy lighter to fill the ciggy hole in the dash. I'd just like the ciggy element to glow like my sunny personality.

The element may be bad is all....I just don't wanna spend 16 bucks to find it isn't the problem. When I lived back in So Cal, I could just call a buddy and swap a working part in and test....now with the new location and the lack of Porsche SCs in Northern Nevada....it's not so easy.
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