How to Repair a Non-Functional Car Cigarette Lighter?
4 Answers
To repair a non-functional car cigarette lighter, the owner can first try connecting a cigarette lighter of the same model. If it works normally, the issue lies with the cigarette lighter itself, and it can be directly replaced. If it still doesn't work, the problem is likely with the cigarette lighter's fuse. Steps to replace the cigarette lighter: 1. Locate the car's electrical fuse box. The position of the fuse box varies depending on the car's brand and model—some are in the storage compartment, while others are under the dashboard. 2. Open the fuse box cover and refer to the fuse location diagram on the inside of the cover to find the cigarette lighter fuse. 3. Use the included fuse puller to remove the blown fuse and replace it with a new or spare fuse.
Last time my cigarette lighter had no power, I spent the whole afternoon figuring out the cause. The first thing to check is the fuse—90% of the time, it’s blown. Just pull open the small box under the steering wheel to see the fuses, and every car’s manual marks the corresponding position for the cigarette lighter. Take it out and check if the thin wire in the middle is broken; replacing it with a new one should fix the issue. If the fuse is fine, there’s an 80% chance the metal tabs inside the socket are bent. Use your phone’s flashlight to check if something’s stuck or if the spring is misaligned. I’ve straightened the contacts myself with small tweezers. If the cigarette lighter is completely broken, buying a new replacement is easy and cheap—online options cost around 30-40 yuan. After fixing it, be careful not to plug in high-power devices, as they can easily cause another blowout. Also, remember to clean the port regularly—dropping a coin in there would be a huge hassle.
Don't rush to the repair shop if your cigarette lighter has no power - you can handle it yourself. I always check the fuse box first, located behind the glove compartment or below the steering wheel. Find and remove the cigarette lighter fuse; if the metal wire is melted, it indicates overload. Replace it with a 15A or 20A fuse of the same specification - you can buy a whole box for 5 yuan at auto parts stores. If it's not the fuse, the socket itself is more likely to be the issue. Check if frequent plugging has loosened the spring contacts causing poor connection. In this case, insert the lighter all the way and twist it a couple of times. If that doesn't work, remove the entire socket base and clean dirty contacts with alcohol swabs. Wiring problems are less common, but if encountered, use a multimeter to check the circuit. I recommend keeping spare fuses in your car - they're super handy for emergencies.
A non-working cigarette lighter can indeed be frustrating. First, check for any foreign objects stuck in the socket—coins or small cards getting lodged in there are quite common. Use a flashlight to inspect and remove them with tweezers. Next, ensure the device plug is fully inserted; try adjusting the angle and reinserting it a few times. The fuse location varies by car model: Japanese cars often have it under the steering wheel, while German cars typically place it on the sidewall of the trunk. If the fuse isn’t blown, the issue might be due to aging spring contacts from prolonged use—a quick fix is spraying some electronic cleaner. Only consider replacing the socket as a last resort. Remember, avoid connecting high-power devices like a 300W car rice cooker, as they’re sure to blow the fuse.
