I have a 1996 toyota avalon. The cigarette lighter does not work. I have searched and searched online but cant find any info on how to replace the cigarette lighter.
Did you check the fuses to make sure one wasn't blown. On these cars, there are two fuse blocks. One by the foot kick panel on the drivers side, and one under the hood. I would start there.
I think this was addressed last year in a thread. Try a search in this forum.
i will check teh fuses. any idea which fuse is related to the cigarette lighter?
also, i did a search on this forum and "lots" of things came up.........hard to tell which thread contains the information i am looking for. any suggestions on how to narrow the search to get relavent information would be appreciated.
Sorry I don't have any further information. I would start by pulling the fuses and looking for a dead one. Needle nose pliers works best and only takes a couple of minutes to pull all the fuses to check. I don't recall off the top of my head if the fuse block has one labeled for the cig lighter or not.
I'll look for the thread I'm thinking of after work tonight.
i will check teh fuses. any idea which fuse is related to the cigarette lighter?
also, i did a search on this forum and "lots" of things came up.........hard to tell which thread contains the information i am looking for. any suggestions on how to narrow the search to get relavent information would be appreciated.
Owners manual documents fuse locations and items protected very nicely. Available at manufacturer's website if you don't have paper copy.
i found the fuse for the cigarette lighter.......it was marked clearly on the fuse box. I checked it ...........it was good at ~ 0.5ohm.
I also measured at the lighter itself........i turned car on.......then stuck my volt meter red lead into lighter and black lead onto the housing of the lighter..........i measured ~ 12Volts dc.
But when i plug a car charger into lighter...........nothing happens......it does not charge and red led light on charger does not come on. i know charger is ok because it works in my wifes car.
i read the link talking about the lighter removal..........i had a question:
Basically, here's the process. In order to get the ashtray all the way out, first you need to slide it out to its stops and take notice of where those stops are on either side of the ashtray. Then insert a flat-bladed screwdriver into the space between one side of the ashtray and the area around the stop on that side, and pry it (being careful to not crack the plastic) to create a bigger opening. While you do this, pull on the ashtray so that it slides past the stop on that side. Then repeat on the other side of the ashtray. Presto, it comes right out! At this point you'll see how the lighter receptacle is held in place and how easy it is to remove from the ashtray.
above is the text concerning the lighter removal............what i dont know is where do i stick the flat head screwdriver? not 100% sure where .......can someone take a pic and show me or tell me........just not sure.
If you have 12 volts at your cig lighter, I don't think the problem is with your lighter socket, it sounds like the problem is with your adapter you are trying to plug into the socket. Can you turn your adapter a bit to get it to push in farther. Basically if the center male tip on your adapter isn't making contact with the center of the socket, it won't work. Try pushing it in farther or slightly bending the center tab in the back of the socket to get it to make contact with your adapter. I wouldn't replace the socket at this point. Perhaps try a different adapter to see if it is a problem with the particular adapter you are trying to use.
I tried to post a reply yesterday and it didn't work (3 times). If this works I will post the answer again.
Tom
Well I just retyped the whole thing again and couldn't post because it logged me out.
This will be a short version I what I typed before.
Look on side of ashtray-locate the piece that runs in the track to lock the ashtray in- that is where you will place your screw driver and to ther rear. Pull and wiggle as you press in on the screw driver. Once freed from track do other side.
Look on bottom of ashtray (blackpiece) and remove tiny phillips head screw. Now it will all slide apart.
Look on the scoket and a there will be two wire- study the way they are mounted. The one on top (+ side) is held in by the screw - under the + terminal you will see a washer (copper or bronze looking) remove the wire and remove the washer- clean the washer- I used 220 grit sandpaper. reassemble and it should work. Check it while it still out then if all is good reassemble. I can explain more about this if I can just get this part posted.
Last edited by TAld; 08-26-2011 at 08:50 AM.
The Following User Says Thank You to TAld For This Useful Post:
OK- got that part posted. The washer that forms the oxzidation is where the problem lies. Even though you can read 12vdc through the socket it can't deliver the current under load. It's like reading a car battery that shows 12vdc but when you try to crank the car it goes to zero and just clicks.
Did you try using your fingers to press on the side of the slide portion of the ashtray? You have to use some muscle but it will pop out? Another thing don't pull on the ashtray and wiggle until you have applied some pressure with your fingers or screw driver to the side.
Someone posted that the washer acts as a thermal link and will protect against overheating of the plastic ashtray. I don't know about that as mine felt like it was solid. Someone else said you could just take it out and it works fine. I that could be done as the lighter itself has it's on fuse.
Did mine about 2 mos ago and still working fine.
Tom
The Following User Says Thank You to TAld For This Useful Post:
ok. got ashtray out. But now the problem is that the wires are still connected and as such i cant pull the ashtray out very far and it is almost impossible to work on as it is..........am i missing something?
I followed TAld instructions and he was right............turns out i think the "washer" was bad. In fact the washer kinda broke in half while i was trying to sand it so i had to get another one from lowes hardware. the one i replaced it with was a little "thicker" but it all worked out.
thanks TAld!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i have some pics of the repair that might help someone but i am not sure how to post them.
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