Cigarette Lighter Socket

An alchemy of sparks, copper wire and earth

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
TONYT25T25
Registered user
Posts: 1830
Joined: 16 Sep 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 13596
Location: Hampshire

Cigarette Lighter Socket

Post by TONYT25T25 »

The connection sometimes work so suspect a loose connection. I think it is the original fitting with a greenish lit surround. Dont want tobreak it but cannot find way of removing it?? Any pointers please.
1984 Campervan 1.9DG Petrol WBX

User avatar
R0B
Moderator
Posts: 18897
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 17:33
80-90 Mem No: 864
Location: Cheshire

Re: Cigarette Lighter Socket

Post by R0B »

From what I can remember you have to bend the clip inside the socket inwards and it will pull out from the green plastic surround. Im, sure there will be a how-to on youtube.
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"

TONYT25T25
Registered user
Posts: 1830
Joined: 16 Sep 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 13596
Location: Hampshire

Re: Cigarette Lighter Socket

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Thanks Rob, I will take a closer look.👍
1984 Campervan 1.9DG Petrol WBX

User avatar
R0B
Moderator
Posts: 18897
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 17:33
80-90 Mem No: 864
Location: Cheshire

Re: Cigarette Lighter Socket

Post by R0B »

Don't forget to pull the fuse for the lighter first.
:ok
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"

TONYT25T25
Registered user
Posts: 1830
Joined: 16 Sep 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 13596
Location: Hampshire

Re: Cigarette Lighter Socket

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Tks Rob, As you said, there is a Vid on you tube showing it.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_RqXjXs7w0o
1984 Campervan 1.9DG Petrol WBX

User avatar
Robsey
Registered user
Posts: 1172
Joined: 19 May 2012, 20:45
80-90 Mem No: 11137
Location: East Manchester

Re: Cigarette Lighter Socket

Post by Robsey »

Just sticking my oar in...
Not necessarily part of the original query, but relevant if chasing electrical issues.

If it is a factory lighter socket (3 inline connector pins), then it should simply unplug from the lighter socket body.
So not 100% necessary to pull the fuse.

But pulling the fuse is always the safer option.
---------------

If it is 'only' the lighter socket affected, then any problems lie in the socket itself, or the short length of wiring between the radio loom and the lighter socket.

If the radio and interior lights are also affected - this would point to an issue closer to the fuse box.
----------------

The wiring run should be...

Fuse box -
Fuse 8 or 9 - early torpedo fusebox
Fuse 3 for CE1 blade-fuse fuse box.

First junction / split.
Branch 1 to interior lights feed.
Branch 2 to radio and cigarette lighter feed.

Second Junction (On Branch 2)
2a to radio
2b to cigarette lighter.

----------------

Wiring colours are:-
Battery Live - red
Ground - brown
Illumination - grey / blue.

-----------------
My preference here would be to replace the permanent live red wire with a black ignition live feed.
Or a black / yellow X relief relay live feed.

Not as important if you are running this circuit from a separate fused supply from a leisure battery,
rather than the main fusebox from the starter battery.
Last edited by Robsey on 26 Mar 2023, 22:05, edited 1 time in total.
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished

User avatar
mioba
Registered user
Posts: 335
Joined: 10 Jul 2009, 11:48
80-90 Mem No: 7850
Location: Nottingham

Re: Cigarette Lighter Socket

Post by mioba »

They dont come simpler than a lighter socket in a t25 to test the circuit.
They are ground to the dash - could be simply a poor live connection.

Ideal time to upgrade. I installed USB sockets with voltmeter and aux sockets in my T25 last summer.

The back back of the CE1 box is great for ign live sources. Search thr forum
for the relevant pins alt a fuse splitter to add another circuit.
Westfalia Hightop Top Joker 1.6TD - aka Daisy, my labour of love

User avatar
Robsey
Registered user
Posts: 1172
Joined: 19 May 2012, 20:45
80-90 Mem No: 11137
Location: East Manchester

Re: Cigarette Lighter Socket

Post by Robsey »

According to his signature panel, he has a 1984 van, so the early torpedo-fuse fusebox.

Still - they are only standard spade connectors, so easy enough to add in a separate wire from one of the fuse points.

UPDATE -
Here you can see three spare slots on the early fusebox.

Image

Fuse 7 (16 amps) - spare slot on unfused connection - battery Live.

Fuse 9 (16 amps) - spare slot on fused connection - battery live.

Fuse 11 (8 amps only) - spare slot on fused connection - ignition live.
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished

TONYT25T25
Registered user
Posts: 1830
Joined: 16 Sep 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 13596
Location: Hampshire

Re: Cigarette Lighter Socket

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Thanks all for feedback, I rarely use it but is always been a bit dodgy, it is currently been used to keep the main battery trickle charged via a small solar panel and controller, in meantime fitted a rubber o ring around it which has taken up the slack and given a better contact.
1984 Campervan 1.9DG Petrol WBX

User avatar
Mocki
Membership Admin
Posts: 16985
Joined: 29 Sep 2005, 09:27
80-90 Mem No: 428
Location: Mansfield Notts
Contact:

Re: Cigarette Lighter Socket

Post by Mocki »

As the positive connection is the sprung centre pin of your plug, its almost definately the outer neg connection that is your issue, just a slight gentle adjustment of this should give you a tighter connection
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
👀
________________

1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Caravelle TS TinTop Camper 
 

TONYT25T25
Registered user
Posts: 1830
Joined: 16 Sep 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 13596
Location: Hampshire

Re: Cigarette Lighter Socket

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Thanks Steve, that sounds about right, there was no way I could tighten the connector behind the dash, so placing the o ring around the fitment on the front of the dash took up the slack earth by the looks of things, prior to this the voltage would fluctuate between 10v and 12.5 as i fiddled with the plug in connector.
1984 Campervan 1.9DG Petrol WBX

User avatar
mioba
Registered user
Posts: 335
Joined: 10 Jul 2009, 11:48
80-90 Mem No: 7850
Location: Nottingham

Re: Cigarette Lighter Socket

Post by mioba »

Run a earth to crowns.
Westfalia Hightop Top Joker 1.6TD - aka Daisy, my labour of love

Post Reply