What Causes a Cigarette Lighter to Stop Working?
2 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.
