mwashbu

I have a '96 Camry Collector's Edition in which the cigarette lighter is not functioning. It hasn't previously been a problem since I'm a non-smoker but I'm now trying to install a satellite radio and power it from the cigarette lighter. The owner's manual doesn't have a fuse listing for the lighter so I'm guessing it's a relay that's bad. The Haynes repair manual isn't helpful. I was wondering if anyone could provide any help as to where the relay is located, if this is a DIY job or if there's a better way to get a 12V power source than from the cigarette lighter. Thanks in advance.

InstallTech

Oh, there's a fuse in there somewhere for it. Imagine if you accidentally got a dime or penny stuck in there (which I've seen happen) and there was no fuse to blow? Go through and check all of your fuses with a meter/ test light. The cig lighter fuse is probably being run on the same circuit as something else. Typically the clock or dome light circuit. Whatever it is, I can almost garauntee that there *is* a fuse. If you test all of your fuses and they are all good, it could be a simple matter that the cig lighter isn't plugged in. Seen that happen, too, after someone has installed a new car radio. Hope that helps a little.

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mwashbu

Thanks for the help. I did discover that the cigarette lighter is on the same fuse as the radio, which functions fine. I guess it's time to look under the dashboard for a loose/unplugged connection.

InstallTech

Let me know how it turns out. Hopefully, it's as simple as that. Otherwise, you have a break in the circuit somewhere or the housing for the cig lighter is bad. You should be able to test and see if you have power getting to the cig lighter without taking it out. The center contact (the very bottom of the lighter housing), is 12 volts. The outer casing is ground. Get a meter, ground it somewhere, and probe the bottom of the housing. If it shows 12 volts, then maybe you're not getting ground to the outer housing.

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mwashbu

I gingerly pried off the dashboard cover that surrounds the radio and found that the lighter was disconnected. Thanks for the help. I'll continue to visit this site if only to learn more about servicing my own car.

InstallTech

Rock on. Glad it was an easy fix!

__________________
I reject your reality, and substitute it with my own.