Hans

Hell guys!

I seem to be having some trouble with my 12v outlets in my 2000. Both my front and rear outlets don't seem to be working with the cigarette lighter. The lighter works in other cars.

I checked the fuse box by my left knee, and both the "Cigarette lighter" and "Power Outlet" fuses look normal. I replaced the Cigarette lighter fuse with the spare provided and tried again, still no luck.

I don't know how long this has been a problem, as I've never tried to use those outlets, but I just bought a brand new smartphone and before I drop money on a car charger I'd like to be sure these outlets are actually going to work.

Is there anything else I should be checking before I just write them off as useless?

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

If the fuses are good, the next thing would be to check and see if the wires are plugged on to the back of the outlets. Then use your voltmeter and verify that you have 12 volts on the wire that plugs on to the outlet. If you have the 12 volts, then the outlet itself is bad. The outlets have built-in, non-replaceable fuses which may have been blown due to overloading.

Hans

Is there a good guide for getting into the console? I've got an automatic.

If its easier, id be willing to wire in a phone charger USB port or cable elsewhere, or maybe swap the outlets for one of those assemblies. Doesnt need to be super pretty, just not ugly, safe, and functional.

I'm more used to mechanical stuff. Brakes, belts, alternators, starters, struts, stuff sort of under the hood rather than inside.

Edit: OK, nevermind, my power outlets are possessed.

The cigarette lighter that came with my 2000SE does not work in my car in either outlet.
Lighters from two OTHER cars do not work in my car in either outlet.

All of those lighters work in other cars.

But I borrowed a phone charger, and for some reason that one DOES work in my car, in both outlets.

I've decided that my best course of action is not to question how this is possible, but just to pretend that it's normal and not worry about it as long as it charges my phone, which is all I really want.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

To get to the cigarette lighter under the heater controls, start by giving yourself some room. Pull up on the parking brake lever and then move the shift lever all the way back.

Remove the ashtray insert and remove the Phillips head screw underneath it.

Starting towards the rear of the car, pry up on the plastic insert that surrounds the shift lever in the 4 spots marked in red. You can use a screwdriver, but I like to use a 1 inch putty knife as that spreads the load and reduces the chances of putting a nick in the plastic.

Make sure the ashtray door is closed. Lift up on the rear end of the trim plane as you pull back on it. The front top edge of the trim panel has a small lip (3 or 4 mm) that is behind the heater control panel, so you have to make sure you are bringing the the top edge down as you pull. The wires that connect to the hazard flasher switch and the power outlet let you pull the trim panel back maybe 4 inches.