The cigarette lighter does not work: causes of failure and repair methods

Initially, the cigarette lighter was aimed at the needs of smokers. However, as practice has shown, to light a cigarette it is much more convenient to use a match or a lighter.

Many automobile companies at one time even wanted to abandon this mechanism. But with technological progress, when the life of every motorist became almost impossible without devices, the cigarette lighter found a second life. The device socket, which allows you to connect any electrical equipment with an input voltage of 12 W, remains in demand. It is quite obvious that if the cigarette lighter does not work inside the car, not only the driver, but also the passengers nearby experience discomfort.

How the cigarette lighter works and how it works

This device consists of a metal spiral in a plastic case, which is inserted into a special socket in the car interior. The heating element is a material with high resistivity (most often nichrome). The entire structure is connected as follows: the ground is connected to the socket, and the positive contact to the heater.

The nichrome spiral is heated to extremely high temperatures, as evidenced by its red color. The system is equipped with a thermal relay that turns off the power supply if the temperature threshold is exceeded

Also, to illuminate the socket in case of insufficient lighting, install a special socket with a light bulb. The socket is equipped with a 10 A fuse, which is located in the fuse block. Despite the rather simple and understandable design, it happens that the cigarette lighter often stops functioning. There can be many reasons for this, each of which will be discussed in more detail below.

Replacing the cigarette lighter

How to install a new cigarette lighter in a car if the old one is burned out and cannot be repaired? Let's look at the example of a VAZ 2108 car with a low instrument panel (old model).

Buy a new car lighter.
Using a flathead screwdriver, remove the plastic ends from the air damper control levers.
Remove the screws securing the air damper control bracket.
Pull it towards you and remove the knob from the fan speed control.
Remove the screws securing the center console to the instrument panel (2 pieces on each side). Pull the console towards you and disconnect its connectors from the wiring harness.
Remove the console.
Using two fingers, press the sides of the bracket holding the backlight socket and remove it from the light guide of the socket.
Press the plastic socket clamps with your fingers or a screwdriver and remove the assembly body from the console hole.
Insert a new socket in place of the old one.
Install the backlight assembly onto the light guide. Make sure that there is contact between the backlight bracket and the body.
Connect the console connectors to the wiring.
Check if the buttons, regulator and the unit you replaced are working.
Put the console back in place.
Attach the damper control bracket to it.
Secure the console with self-tapping screws.
Place the handles on the levers and the regulator shaft.

The replacement has been made.

Why the cigarette lighter does not work: the main reasons

When this simple but important device for a comfortable stay in the car fails, it becomes unusually difficult. As mentioned above, the cigarette lighter may stop functioning for a variety of reasons. But the following situations are considered the most common:

The fuse located in the block has failed
Burnt out socket
A foreign object has entered the socket, preventing connection
The “antennae” of the nest are loose or frayed

The fuse is considered the most vulnerable element of the device. Often it burns out due to an overload formed when powerful electrical appliances are connected: a refrigerator for a car, a compressor for inflating wheels, mattresses, and the like.

The cigarette lighter is designed to work with low-power electrical appliances: laptop, tablet, mobile phone. Therefore, if there is a need to connect a “heavy” device, it is best to connect it directly to the battery

This method may seem inconvenient to many, although there is nothing complicated about it. It is enough to connect all the wires correctly, observing the polarity. In any case, you can install another battery-powered cigarette lighter. The throughput of such a mechanism is much higher, so many energy-intensive devices can be connected to it without fear.

Troubleshooting

Many motorists use a cigarette lighter to supply power to the compressor to inflate tires, some connect an FM transmitter instead of an audio system, and others vacuum the interior.

Any device requiring 12V power can be connected through this socket. Usually these are DVRs, laptops, smartphone chargers, navigators. Sometimes even auto-inverters.

How to repair a car cigarette lighter?

When the answer to the question of why the cigarette lighter does not work has been received, you can move on to the next stage - troubleshooting. That is, it is necessary to have a clear idea of which element has failed and what actions should be taken.

The simplest and most effective way to solve the problem is to go to a service station. Qualified personnel will quickly repair a failed device. True, you will have to pay a little for the work. In addition, you will have to spend money on fuel to get to your destination. Therefore, this method is not suitable for everyone.

If you decide to do all the work yourself, then follow these simple instructions:

Make sure the fuse is in place. To do this, find it in the general box. It is indicated by signs in the form of a smoking cigarette, or by the inscription “cigar”
If this element burns out, replace the old fuse with a new one
If the mechanism is intact and continues to function correctly, check the socket itself
Make sure that no foreign object has fallen into the socket

Third-party objects can be pulled out with tweezers, but this must be done carefully. In the worst case, the wiring has been unsoldered or burned out. Few people can fix such a breakdown with their own hands at home. You must have the appropriate electrical knowledge and tools. It is not recommended to install a higher power fuse. Increasing the power of the device will result in failure of the cigarette lighter socket itself.

Causes of the problem

Modern use of a cigarette lighter comes down to using its socket as a source of energy. This is a kind of socket located in the car. It is into the hole and sockets of the device that various electrical appliances are inserted. It is very important to remember that you can connect devices with a voltage of no more than 12 volts. If the voltage is higher, this threatens a short circuit in the circuit.

Widespread use of this machine unit leads to frequent failure. There are several standard causes of failure. Before looking for it in the device itself, you need to check the connected devices. Perhaps they are the ones that are faulty. After all, it will take a lot of time to replace the cigarette lighter socket, and in some cars you have to change part of the console.

To check the serviceability of the device itself, you need to turn on the ignition of the car, insert the cigarette lighter into the socket, and not the phone charger, wait 15 - 20 seconds, check the degree of heating. If the device does not heat up at all, it means that the problem is broken. In this case, you need to know what correct steps to take to fix the problem if the cigarette lighter in the car is broken.

The main reasons for a malfunctioning cigarette lighter in a car are:

violation of wiring integrity;
fuse burnt out;
burnt out cigarette lighter socket;
presence of foreign objects in the nest.

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Cigarette lighter repair instructions

If the cigarette lighter stops working and you decide to do the repairs yourself, first of all you should dismantle it. The complete procedure for repairing the device is as follows:

Initially, you should have a new, working copy on hand.
Remove the negative battery terminal
Using pliers, carefully remove the cigarette lighter from its socket.
Lift the device by the edges one by one, without sudden movements, so as not to break the contacts
When the cigarette lighter is in your hands, pay attention to its contacts, there should be no burning on it
If a soldered wire is found, solder it
Install the mechanism into the socket, doing all the steps in reverse order.

Another common problem is that current flows, but the coil does not heat up. In this case, the head must be completely replaced. It is necessary to install new, original spare parts of the device in accordance with their specific brand of car. If the above steps do not bring the desired result, install a new cigarette lighter.

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This is usually due to the fact that constant heating and cooling provokes a burnout effect. The spiral simply wears out. Therefore, carefully examine its condition visually. Buying a new cartridge (head) will not be difficult. Especially for running and popular cars in Russia. Just buy only a head whose spiral is suitable specifically for your car. Not all of them are universal, which can cause problems.

If replacing the cartridge does not change anything, then the problem should be looked for in the car's electrical network, which powers the cigarette lighter.

When diagnosing, carefully examine the condition of all contacts and connections. It is important to eliminate the possibility of some wires burning out.

Checking the integrity of the electrical circuit is carried out strictly with the negative terminal of the battery removed.

Particular attention should be paid to some elements.

In case of self-assessment of the condition of the cigarette lighter assembly, experienced motorists and specialists in the field of auto electricians are advised to look at:

The integrity of all wiring that is located on the device body itself;
Integrity and condition of wiring in areas where connection and connection are made;
Safety and operability of the cigarette lighter fuse located in a special block;
No signs of fire in the wiring;
No traces of foreign objects;
Functionality at the plug from the cigarette lighter socket;
No possible overloads during operation of the element.

By checking all these components, you can determine exactly where the problem is coming from.

Experience shows that most often the fuse blows. Finding it and replacing it will not be difficult. But if the fuse is intact, then check whether the socket itself has blown. This occurs when using a faulty plug from the connected source, as well as when using inappropriate devices.

What is not recommended to do in case of breakdown

If a car's standard cigarette lighter in the passenger compartment does not work, it needs to be checked, the culprit found, the cause eliminated and thereby the system's functionality restored.

But sometimes motorists make mistakes during the repair process. There are several examples of what not to do in such a situation:

Ignore the situation. The consequences can be very different, starting simply from a cigarette lighter failure and ending with short circuits and fire of the car.
Use fuses that differ from the original ones in rating. Too high values may not protect the node in time. With a small number of Amps, each new fuse will burn out very quickly.
Clean contacts with metal objects. This is done with a knife or screwdriver. But this can damage the insulation and cause a short circuit.
Carry out work with the negative battery connected. Any work related to electrics is carried out only after first resetting the negative voltage from the battery. It is important to de-energize the on-board network.
Use cheap consumables and parts. When replacing the head or the entire fuse, choose a kit made by a trusted manufacturer. Not necessarily original, although that is a priority.

You can solve the problem of a faulty cigarette lighter with your own hands. But to do this you need to follow the instructions and follow safety rules.

Bottom line

It is best to use the cigarette lighter strictly for its intended purpose, then the likelihood of it breaking is significantly reduced. But over time, the “antennae” becomes loose, even if used in rare cases. There's nothing wrong with that - just bend them with the help of a tool at hand. In especially severe cases, for example, when the problem lies in the entire wiring, of course, you simply cannot do without the help of a specialist. In any case, there is no need to connect powerful electrical appliances to the cigarette lighter. Then the device will serve faithfully throughout the entire operation of the car.

Troubleshooting methods

A common problem in a breakdown is a broken wiring. In this case, check the integrity of the wires. The wire may be loose or broken. Perhaps there is no current due to the fact that the connectors are not tightly adjacent to each other. In this case, it is necessary to check the wires, fasten the connectors, and solder the disconnected sections.

Another reason why the device stopped working could be a blown fuse. Devices connected through a high-voltage socket are most often to blame for this. The fuse simply cannot cope with the load, since the cigarette lighter is designed for a certain power.

There is only one way out - replacing the blown fuse. Motorists should remember that it is best to use a battery to charge more powerful devices in the car. It is less convenient, but effective and safe. You can remove a more reinforced socket directly from the battery and use it for its intended purpose.

The next common cause of breakdown is a burnt socket. This happens because plugs of a non-standard type or those that dangle freely are inserted into the connector. In this case, the solution is to replace the cigarette lighter socket.

Every motorist probably wondered how and why the cigarette lighter in the car broke down and tried to find out how to repair this device in the car on their own, without turning to car services for help. This topic is quite relevant. It is not necessary to go to specialists, if the driver knows the car a little, then with the help of tips you can find and repair the cigarette lighter in the car yourself.

Worth remembering before work

You need to remember that fuses are in the electrical circuit, so you need to take precautions:

The car must be turned off
The ignition must be turned off
The battery must be installed and the terminals must be connected, otherwise there will be no “power” to the electrical circuit
Do not bridge the contacts of one fuse with another using a multimeter.

What I would like to add in conclusion, guys - the first two methods are available to everyone, that is, it’s trivial to pull it out and look, but the third one with a tester... buy it, it’s a really useful thing in the car, if you decide to figure it out yourself, we just can’t replace it!

Won't I be able to use the cigarette lighter to connect to 12 volt devices?

All cigarette lighter outlets are also 12V outlets, which means you should be able to plug a cigarette lighter inverter, charger, or any other 12VDC accessory device into any cigarette lighter outlet in any vehicle and it will work fine.

When the cigarette lighter socket stops working or appears to be faulty, there are several things that can go wrong:

How to fix a cigarette lighter socket that isn't working

To get your cigarette lighter socket working again, you need to check and rule out every potential problem. Some of these steps are very simple and do not require special equipment, but a test light or voltmeter is required to fully complete this type of diagnosis.

Here are the basic steps to follow when your cigarette lighter stops working:

Check for foreign objects inside the cigarette lighter socket - If there is anything in the cigarette lighter socket, such as food, small toys or coins, carefully remove it. Do not allow metal objects, such as a screwdriver or tweezers, into the outlet.

Check for power and grounding at the outlet. This requires a test lamp or voltmeter. If you have these tools and know how to use them, check for power at the center pin inside the cigarette lighter socket and ground the inside of the cylinder. If you don't find power, check the fuses. If you do not find power or ground, check the connections that go into the cigarette lighter socket.