[Darthchaffinch]

My lighter socket has stopped working (2005 skoda octavia), the fuse is fine and got a slight jolt when try to clean it today (thus has power!!). It's not 100% clean, but not filthy, any ideas as to what's wrong pls??

[Finglonga]

If it isn't the fuse then it is a problem with the thing your trying to plug into it.

[gds1972]

Re check and even consider changing fuse anyway. It may have blown when you got the jolt.

[Darthchaffinch]

Thanks, am I right in thinking that I'll be safe to.clean the socket when I remove the fuse?

[gds1972]

I would have thought so if you remove the fuse first and use something like an alcohol wipe.

Edit: I just found this on another site and it may be worth trying.

If it's a Golf or Octavia or similar, the cigarette lighter is between the front seats. If you switch off the rear electric windows, the cigarette lighter is also switched off.

[Darthchaffinch]

Originally Posted by gds1972

I would have thought so if you remove the fuse first and use something like an alcohol wipe.

Edit: I just found this on another site and it may be worth trying.

thank, just tried that and still no joy. Tried changing the fuse too. The problem is that nowhere seems to sell spare sockets!

[bart4858]

Originally Posted by Darthchaffinch

thank, just tried that and still no joy. Tried changing the fuse too. The problem is that nowhere seems to sell spare sockets!

From your other remarks, it sounds more like the thing you're trying to plug in has a fault.

Are you trying the use the actual cigar lighter (to light a cigarette with!)? In that case, try your cigar lighter in someone else's car, or their's in yours. And if their one works, well I won't suggest swapping them when no-one's looking...

For spare socket parts, try http://www.maplin.co.uk (although these might be generic inline sockets, not mountable). Otherwise try any motor shop or parts section of a dealership. Fitting a new socket can be awkward...

[shnu]

you can pick up a new lighter/socket from halfords for about £7, my nissan didn't come with one but had the fuse for it so i googled how to do it and fitted one myself.

[jewels3057]

I have a Citreon C3 and this happened to me recently (use the socket for my tomtom). Garage checked it and said a wire had come loose. As I was having other work done he did not charge me to fix it - as far as I know he just connected the wire again.

[Darthchaffinch]

Originally Posted by bart4858

From your other remarks, it sounds more like the thing you're trying to plug in has a fault.

Are you trying the use the actual cigar lighter (to light a cigarette with!)? In that case, try your cigar lighter in someone else's car, or their's in yours. And if their one works, well I won't suggest swapping them when no-one's looking...

For spare socket parts, try http://www.maplin.co.uk (although these might be generic inline sockets, not mountable). Otherwise try any motor shop or parts section of a dealership. Fitting a new socket can be awkward...

the phone charger works fine in the wife's car. I 'm in Sweden so will have to try and get a rele to post one. Thanks

[Darthchaffinch]

seem to be none on Halfords site!

[shnu]

halfords lighters google says that the green illuminated one would fit in a skoda octavia though its probably worth just checking one of the wire's isn't loose before fitting a new one

[bart4858]

Originally Posted by Darthchaffinch

seem to be none on Halfords site!

What, the socket? It's possible these things are specific to a model of car, because of the mounting and connection and so on.

However, what can actually go wrong with a socket? There are two sets of contacts, on the bottom for the tip, and one around the edges. Perhaps the latter ones have lost their 'springiness', or the spring contacts on your charger are weakened, but might just work in another car.

Try and get a meter and see if there is 12V or so across the contacts (or a 12V bulb somehow or borrow someone's lighter). (Remember most cars need the ignition on, or on Aux, for cigar lighters to work these days.)

If there is 12V, perhaps mess about with the socket to try for a better contact.

(I've looking at my 12V socket now - I'm on holiday and working from my car - and I haven't a clue how it comes out! And access seems impossible without half-dismantling the gear-stick assembly! So trying to fix it seems simplest.)

[Waj_100]

I repaired a 12 volt socket last week on a customer's Peugeot, the fuse noted in the handbook was not the fuse that had blown

What i'm saying is to run through all of your fuses to see if any have blown.

As noted above, but slightly different, try to get some metal object and a wire that you can push onto the centre of the 12 volt unit plus a wire that you can connect to the outer metal frame, then connect a bulb to the wires and see if you have current, if you have current then the outer frame may just need a bit of bending to secure a good connection for the 12 volt plug that you want to use.

[Darthchaffinch]

Ok, I was driving.to.work this morning and the car just cut out as I started.up a hill! Bear in mind I was in the middle.of.nowhere, with little Swedish trying to tell a breakdown chap where I was over the phone...! Could I have screwed something up by fiddling? Specifically the spark event?!?
Have you ever tried talking to someone via.Google translate?!?

[Waj_100]

Originally Posted by Darthchaffinch

Ok, I was driving.to.work this morning and the car just cut out as I started.up a hill! Bear in mind I was in the middle.of.nowhere, with little Swedish trying to tell a breakdown chap where I was over the phone...! Could I have screwed something up by fiddling? Specifically the spark event?!?
Have you ever tried talking to someone via.Google translate?!?

You could have disturbed the fuel pump or ignition coil fuse (if your car is petrol).

I'm lucky in the Swedish department as my son is fluent in Swedish, plus his partner is a Swedish national.
My two grandkids are bi-lingual also.

If you ever need help in the Swedish language department let me know, my son is on twitter, facebook and MSN.

He lives in Gavleborg, there is quite a sizeable UK community there, including an English school which my grandson will be going to after the holidays (he's 11).

He's in Denmark on holiday right now.

[Darthchaffinch]

Originally Posted by Waj_100

You could have disturbed the fuel pump or ignition coil fuse (if your car is petrol).

I'm lucky in the Swedish department as my son is fluent in Swedish, plus his partner is a Swedish national.
My two grandkids are bi-lingual also.

If you ever need help in the Swedish language department let me know, my son is on twitter, facebook and MSN.

He lives in Gavleborg, there is quite a sizeable UK community there, including an English school which my grandson will be going to after the holidays (he's 11).

He's in Denmark on holiday right now.

Tack sa mycket! Will call the garage (in my worst swedish) tomorrow and ask them to check thise fuses.

Wow that looks pretty remote- what does he do up there?!? There seems to be a LOT of english folk all over here! Has he found any decent sausages here?!?!?

[Waj_100]

Originally Posted by Darthchaffinch

Tack sa mycket! Will call the garage (in my worst swedish) tomorrow and ask them to check thise fuses.

Wow that looks pretty remote- what does he do up there?!? There seems to be a LOT of english folk all over here! Has he found any decent sausages here?!?!?

He lives in Gavle on the coast.

He's a consultant for a large IT company, he builds websites and large databases.

I'll ask him about the sausages

Lots of Americans as well!