Lighter Socket Question

[COI]

Wondering if anyone else has seen this problem. The lighter in my '97 works just fine. However, if I plug any accessory into the lighter socket (Valentine One, USB charger, etc.) it does not work. The Valentine adapter intermittently works (takes some jostling of the adapter) while none of my USB chargers (tried 3 different styles) work regardless of positioning. All adapters are definitely contacting the bottom of the socket.

I'm getting 12V +/- using a digital VM and clearly there is enough current to power the lighter (as it works). Anyone else seen this?

[Geronimo]

Jostling tells me there is not a good connection. You either aren't getting it to bottom out or there is some corrosion in the can. I bought a new one from Viper Parts Larry. They are cheap. Replace it or try roughing up the inside can and the bottom connection tab with some steel wool or emery cloth.

With the key off lol

[Matt M, Pa]

..I'd only add that the cig lighter in the Viper is always "on"...key on or key off. I used to plug my battery tender into the lighter.

[ViperTim]

Same as on all American cars.
They're simply shit.
Fortunately mine works well. So far.

As stated, on the Viper there's always power from 12v outlet. For some very odd reason.
Maybe to light the cigar whilst parked?

[LifeIsGood]

This is what my 2001 looks like from behind. There are two connections on the back...

31418

[Geronimo]

..I'd only add that the cig lighter in the Viper is always "on"...key on or key off. I used to plug my battery tender into the lighter.

Ok disconnect the battery. But I would just replace it takes less than an hour and they are cheap.

[Fatboy 18]

No need to disconnect the Battery, Just pull the fuse to the lighter socket, its in the main fuse block under the hood. ;)

[Geronimo]

No need to disconnect the Battery, Just pull the fuse to the lighter socket, its in the main fuse block under the hood. ;)Oh yeah , I had a quick disconnect, forgot these things have fuses lol

[Matt M, Pa]

In my experience with older cars, cigarette lighters were always powered, even with the key off. I would assume, as a convenience. (In the millions of cars sold...I don't recall this being a problem.) They also mechanically would pop out when hot, so there was little, if any issue with the lighter being left on and causing a power draw.

Coonsidering the Vipers in question were designed over 25 years ago...I'm not surprised that the lighter is powered all the time and it was a help to me when using my battery tender.

Our more modern cars have retained accessory power that shuts down when the door is opened, so you can have power for a limited time. Of course, all power goes out after about 20 minutes. I've found this to be very convenient.

I do know that certain 12v power points or cigarette lighters don't work with all power plugs or lighters.

I also have to take some exception with ViperTim's comments about all American car lighters "being sh*t". I'm not sure if he's commenting on the lighters or the cars...but either way it wasn't a helpful comment in the thread.

[COI]

I put a new lighter socket in and still have the same problem. it would seem to be in the wiring but the part that is confusing is the lighter never has the problem, just the accessories that have a single point contact for the + voltage. On the off chance the replacement lighter socket is bad I'm going to try another one - a cheap experiment before digging into the wiring.

To the questions on the power to the lighter - obviously it is powered all the time. I had to pop the bezel off to get to the lighter socket and simply removed the wiring before taking the socket apart to clean.

[Matt M, Pa]

COI....I'm also wondering if the connector that hooks to the center pin may need to be tightened. I know in the older cars, that connector can get slightly stretched and simply giving it a gentle squeeze with a pair of pliers can make it tighter and allow a better connection.

[Fatboy 18]

For a test, Pull the live wire off the back of the cigarette socket put a small screw or metal object in it and touch it to the positive terminal of
your accessory plug and with the earth wire, earth the accessory socket and see if the accessory plug works. If it does then its your cigarette socket that is at fault. Some accessory plugs have internal fuses, it might be the internal fuse has blown?