Secondary 12v lighter plug not working (Corolla 2009 LE)

[Hooba]

Hi all,

Since this is my first post please bare with me as I'm a total newb with car electrics but I have a problem I would like your help in resolving.

I have a Corolla 2009 LE and few days ago I have noticed that my secondary 12v lighter plug which is at the bottom of the box between two front seats is not working. I used to use it to with a cheap charger for my old phone and at one point the charger stopped working but I have never checked the plug it self. So recently I got a new phone with the charger but I figured out that the plug itself has no power to it. One in the front dashboard works but I use that one for GPS.

Now I have searched the net to try and figure if any other Corolla owners have reported the issue and found quite a few. They were mentioning that it's most likely a micro fuse burned out which is located under the steering wheel to the left. So I found the box, opened it from the bottom and there are about 20 Micro fuses there but I can't figure out which one would be the one that breaks the power to that secondary 12v plug in the box between the two front seats.

If anyone knows which fuse number I should check please let me know. Also if there is anything else I should be checking perhaps? Since I bought my Corolla second hand it didn't have the manual so I can't check the info myself. I did order the manual from Ebay for $1.99 tho but I'm not even sure if that info will be there.

Thank you for your time and any information you can provide.

[Hooba]

I found that Toyota provides owners manual online for free but you have to search it, and can't download whole of it. In any case I think on page 351 there is a diagram with an explanation of under-the-hood fuse box.
12v Power outlet is controlled by fuse #39 and it's an 15A fuse. I haven't checked it yet but will tomorrow morning and post my results.

[SuperchargedMR2]

to TN. Please keep us posted.

[littleboi64]

same thing happened to me except both my 12v's died. went to dealer and they replaced fuse. the one from the box still doesnt work but i dont use it so i djont really care for it

[KPT]

On my 2010 the fuse for the power plug in the center console is under the hood. Fuse for the other power (up by the shifter) is under the dash.

Also the fuse diagram in the owners manual for under the dash is completely incorrect. There is a diagram on the cover that is correct.

[Hooba]

Ok so here is the deal.
First thank you all who responded to the thread.
I have checked the fuse box under the hood and as the manual said Power Outlet in the box between the seats is controlled by Type A, 15A fuse #39. I used the white fuse pullout tool that comes in the box to pull it out and sure enough it was dead. Now usually at this point it's a good idea to ask yourself why did this happen, and in my case it was because of a cheap phone charger that I was using to charge my phone. The charger died at one point and it had a small metal part loose inside the charger housing. I'm guessing that small metal part breaking off is what caused the short and burned the fuse.

Fuse box under the hood provides 3 spare fuses in slots 30(10A), slot 31(30A) and slot 32(20A), which sucks because power outlet is 15A >.<....

So I had to drive to Autozone and get the box of 5x 15A Mini Low Profile fuses ($4.95) to replace the burned one. I checked few Shell gas stations on the way and none of them carry Mini LP fuses. So Autozone or Pep Boys or such is your best bet.

I replaced it myself and voila, it worked like a charm. Power Outlet is now working fine and I can charge my iPhone, and still have 4 spares.

I think as a rule you should always try to replace the fuse first and then if the replacement burns out again, then there is probably short somewhere in the plug itself or elsewhere and it would be good idea to take it to your dealer or your favorite local shop for them to check it out.

Again thanks all for replying and hope this info helps people with same or similar issues.

@KPT: I agree I saw the diagram for under the dash and it is wrong for 2009 model as well.

@littleboi64: How much did you pay for fuse replacement at the dealers? I heard they charge about $40?

[littleboi64]

they said it was under warranty and it was replaced for free