....a stated above, the front 12V power outlet in the front was working just a few days ago and now it doesn't. so i have to use the one in the back of the center console to plug in my phone charger.
is there a fuse that i need to look for or is the outlet itself bad and needs to be replaced?

 

Pop the center console and check the connections. Then check the fuse under the dash on the driver's side.

Edit: Actually, do that in reverse order.

 

I had this problem a few months ago. Just check the fuse box that's inside your car, it's near the handle to open your hood. Then just look at the inside of the cover and it'll tell you what fuse is for what and take the fuse out. If it's broken, obviously replace it.

 

thanx guys, will check it out 2night.

 

If back one works, then it's a problem with the front power port. I thing they're on the same fuse.

 

They're not. If you look inside your fuse box on the inside of the cover, they'll show you. The fuse for the outlet in the front is labeled Cig Lighter, and the fuse that's for the outlet in the back is labeled something else.

I think it's a 15, if you don't have a spare inside your fuse box, you can buy a pack of 3 for about a dollar.

 

The reason it blows is because many of the cheaper chargers develop a short if leave them in the car. The plastic is very brittle between the chargers positive nipple and negative clamp spring and it crumbles. So, every time you insert that charger, the fuse blows. I had 3 fuses blown on me before I opened the cheap charger and realized what the problem was.

Don't try to take out the center console. It is lot of pain; I did it because I wanted to adjust my parking brake.

- Vikas

 

would a good rule of thumb be to just disconnect the charger before shutting the car off and just plug it in only when the car engine is running?

 

i've gone through 2 front, and 2 back fuses in a very short period of time. dont know why

 

You really don't have to. I have stuff plugged in it all the time, and it still works fine. Did you change the fuse/Was the fuse the problem?

 

You don't have to because the socket is live only when the car is running.

- Vikas

 

Same thing is happening to me but my fuses look good. Is there a part I need to buy to replace the socket or is it most likely just disconnected somehow?

 

It would be rather unusual for the wire to come off by itself. If the fuse is good, it is most likely that the socket itself is bad. They do have a non-replaceable fuse built into them, so if you ever overloaded the socket...

 

Wasn't working when I got the car. Swapped fuses and nothing. Do you happen to know the part number for the socket?

 

Before you go buy something, take your voltmeter or test light and see if the plug on the back of the socket has 12 volts.

part number 25331-2Y90A list price approx $47.50, on line approx $35 + s&h.
The socket comes with the cover plug (that I bet you've never seen).

You could try a universal socket like this:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...fier=3305_0_0_

But I don't know how well it might work, never tried it. Take the old one out of the car and to the store and compare them.

 

turns out it was unplugged - works great.. thanks for your time

 

Does anyone know how to remove the trim or panel to replace the cigarette lighter? I know there is a screw behind the ashtray. Does the panel just snap out? Perhaps I could use a flat head screw driver to pry it out?

 

the plastic panel around the shift lever is held in by 4 clips. Remove the ashtray first, then use a screwdriver to pry up the spots on the trim panel. Pry up the end towards the rear first. You may want to move the shift lever out of park to the rear to give you more wiggle room.

 

Thanks DennisMik! I successfully pried it apart and replaced my cig lighter yesterday without breaking anything.