What Causes a Cigarette Lighter to Stop Working?
4 Answers
The reasons for a cigarette lighter malfunction are as follows: 1. Poor contact: If it doesn't fit tightly, the power supply of the cigarette lighter usually isn't damaged, but prolonged disuse may cause poor contact. Try inserting the plug all the way in and then twisting it. 2. Fuse: Open the fuse box, locate the cigarette lighter fuse, remove it, and replace it if you have a spare fuse in the fuse box. 3. Cigarette lighter: Test with another car's cigarette lighter by pressing it down to see if it pops back up when it turns red. If it pops up, it indicates the original lighter is damaged. 4. Navigation or external appliance connection: You can slightly bend the contacts inside the cigarette lighter socket for better connection, but be careful not to short-circuit them, as this could blow the fuse.
The most common issue with a broken cigarette lighter is a blown fuse. I suspect you might have used the cigarette lighter to power a phone charger. If the current is too high or there's a short circuit, the fuse will blow to protect the circuit. Another reason could be poor contact with the metal spring inside the cigarette lighter socket. Frequent plugging and unplugging of devices like phone chargers can deform or loosen the spring, leading to a loss of power. Aging wiring is also a factor, especially in older cars, where damaged wires or short circuits can cause problems. The cigarette lighter element itself might be faulty if it was damaged by excessive force or low-quality equipment that ruined the heating wire. Lastly, unstable car battery voltage or alternator issues can affect the overall power supply. It's recommended to start by checking the fuse—look for the cigarette lighter fuse in the engine bay or the fuse box near the driver's seat, pull it out, and see if the filament is broken. If replacing the fuse doesn’t fix it, take it to a professional shop to inspect the internal wiring or socket. While a non-working cigarette lighter might seem minor, prolonged neglect could lead to a short circuit and damage other electronics, so it's best to fix it promptly for peace of mind.
The cigarette lighter isn't lighting up? I suspect it's mostly due to a blown fuse, because the circuit for the cigarette lighter is quite simple, relying on a small fuse tube to protect against overcurrent and short circuits. Accidentally causing a short circuit when plugging in a USB charger can easily blow the fuse. It's also common for the metal contacts inside the socket to rust or oxidize, especially if the car has been parked in a humid environment for a long time, causing the contact surfaces to lose conductivity and fail directly. Loose wire connections, such as poor contact at the plug due to heavy vibrations, or overall circuit issues like unstable voltage from the generator, can also cause problems. Damage to the lighter's core itself is relatively rare, but if you frequently use it for lighting cigarettes or insert mismatched items, like hard objects pushed in, it might crush the contacts. When checking, first look at the fuse—the car manual has a location diagram—and try replacing it with a new one. If that doesn't work, use a multimeter to measure the socket's voltage or take it directly for repair. Don't ignore this issue; a broken cigarette lighter means no place to charge, which can be very troublesome. Developing a habit of checking the fuse can save you a lot of hassle.
The cigarette lighter malfunction is mainly due to a blown fuse, triggered by excessive current or short circuits during charging. Secondly, oxidation of the socket contacts or deformation of the spring plate can occur from frequent plugging and unplugging. Additionally, aging wiring causing short circuits or the burning out of the lighter element are common issues. Start by checking the fuse, and if necessary, clean the socket or replace the component.
