Where is the fuse for the car cigarette lighter located?
3 Answers
Generally, the fuse for the car cigarette lighter is located under the steering wheel. The exact location may vary depending on the car model. True structural damage to the cigarette lighter is rare; most issues are caused by a blown fuse. If you encounter such a problem, you can handle it yourself without spending money at a shop or service station. Below are the installation steps: 1. Locate and remove the cover panel. On the back of the panel, you will find the names and amperage ratings of the corresponding fuses. Identify the cigarette lighter fuse, use the fuse puller next to the fuse socket to remove the blown fuse, and find a replacement fuse with the same amperage from the spare fuses. 2. The fuse box is usually located inside the cabin, often beneath the engine hood release lever. Once opened, you will see many fuses. Use needle-nose pliers to pull out the old fuse and install the new one. 3. Fuses can be purchased at auto parts stores or repair shops.
Last time my car's cigarette lighter suddenly lost power, I tinkered for a long time before realizing it was a blown fuse. This thing is usually hidden in the fuse box near the driver's seat, behind that plastic cover panel just below the steering wheel. Lift the cover and you'll see rows of small fuse blades, each labeled with numbers and functions - the cigarette lighter is often marked 'CIG' or 'LIGHTER'. In my Japanese car it was in position 15, but my friend's American model had it in the secondary fuse box under the hood. So it's best to check the owner's manual - designs vary wildly between models. When replacing it yourself, remember to remove the key to cut power, use small tweezers to extract the blown fuse, and insert a new one with identical amperage rating. Keep some common spares in the glove compartment - much more convenient than rushing to the repair shop.
There's no universal standard for cigarette lighter fuse locations—it varies by car make and model. As someone who often helps neighbors with car repairs, I've found most are inside the cabin, either under the steering wheel or on the side of the glove compartment. Last time I worked on an older Volkswagen, it was actually under the passenger seat. The key is to check the diagram on the inside of the fuse box cover—look for the cigarette icon or 'ACC' label. A blown fuse will have a visibly broken filament in the middle. Always disconnect power before replacement, and use dedicated fuse pullers for safety. Note that some luxury cars have separate fuses for front and rear lighters—this is the easiest detail to mix up.
