What Causes a Car Cigarette Lighter to Have No Power?
3 Answers
The reasons for a car cigarette lighter having no power are: 1. The fuse is blown; 2. The lighter's plug is loose. The method to use a cigarette lighter is: Press the lighter down to connect the current on the lighter socket, heating the heating wire at the front end until it glows red. Once the temperature is reached, the lighter will automatically pop out, and the red-hot heating wire at the front can then be used to light a cigarette. Besides lighting cigarettes, a car cigarette lighter can also be equipped with a car inverter, converting the car's 12V, 24V, or 48V DC power into 220V 50Hz AC power for use with ordinary electrical appliances.
Last time when I was driving, the cigarette lighter suddenly lost power and I had no idea why. Later, I found out it was due to a blown fuse. The fuse box in the car is located under the steering wheel on the left side. I checked the user manual to find the corresponding fuse position—it was the one specifically for the cigarette lighter. Upon inspection, I saw that it had melted, possibly because I had previously plugged in a wireless charger with too high a power draw, causing an overload. After replacing it with a new fuse of the same amperage, everything returned to normal. Besides this common issue, accumulated dust or poor contact inside the cigarette lighter socket can also cause power loss, especially in older cars. I now regularly clean the socket to keep it free of debris and prevent foreign objects from falling in. I recommend fellow drivers avoid plugging in devices exceeding 15 watts to prevent similar malfunctions that could affect driving convenience.
I've encountered the cigarette lighter not working several times, mainly due to fuse issues. First, you need to locate the fuse box, usually near the driver's feet or in the engine compartment. Use pliers to remove the cigarette lighter fuse and check if it's burnt or broken. If so, replace it with a new one, but don't increase the amperage randomly to avoid accidents. Short circuits in the wiring can also cause power loss, such as from rodent-chewed wires or loose connections due to bumps. I personally tested the socket voltage with simple tools; it should output 12V when normal. If there's no power, the socket might be damaged and need replacement. For prevention, remember to avoid plugging in high-power devices and keep the interior clean to extend its lifespan.
