CIGAR LIGHTER OUTLET
DESCRIPTION
Some models are equipped with a cigar lighter outlet installed in the instrument panel. The cigar lighter outlet is located near the bottom of the instrument panel center stack area, below the heater and air conditioner controls. The cigar lighter outlet is secured by a snap fit within the center lower bezel.
The cigar lighter outlet, plastic cap and the knob and heating element unit are available for service replacement. These components cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.
OPERATION
The cigar lighter consists of two major components: a knob and heating element unit, and the cigar lighter base or outlet shell. The receptacle shell is connected to ground, and an insulated contact in the bottom of the shell is connected to battery current. The cigar lighter receives battery voltage from a fuse in the junction block when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or Run positions.
The cigar lighter knob and heating element are encased within a spring-loaded housing, which also features a sliding protective heat shield. When the knob and heating element are inserted in the outlet shell, the heating element resistor coil is grounded through its housing to the outlet shell. If the cigar lighter knob is pushed inward, the heat shield slides up toward the knob exposing the heating element, and the heating element extends from the housing toward the insulated contact in the bottom of the outlet shell.
Two small spring-clip retainers are located on either side of the insulated contact inside the bottom of the outlet shell. These clips engage and hold the heating element against the insulated contact long enough for the resistor coil to heat up. When the heating element is engaged with the contact, battery current can flow through the resistor coil to ground, causing the resistor coil to heat.
When the resistor coil becomes sufficiently heated, excess heat radiates from the heating element causing the spring-clips to expand. Once the spring-clips expand far enough to release the heating element, the spring-loaded housing forces the knob and heating element to pop back outward to their relaxed position. When the cigar lighter knob and element are pulled out of the outlet shell, the protective heat shield slides downward on the housing so that the heating element is recessed and shielded around its circumference for safety.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CIGAR LIGHTER OUTLET
For complete circuit diagrams, refer to Horn/Cigar Lighter/Power Outlet in Wiring Diagrams.
1. Check the fused B(+) fuse in the junction block. If OK, go to STEP 2. If not OK, repair the shorted circuit or component as required and replace the faulty fuse.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the Run position. Check for battery voltage at the fused B(+) fuse in the junction block. If OK, go to STEP 3. If not OK, repair the open or short as required.
3. Remove the cigar lighter knob and element from the cigar lighter outlet shell. Check for continuity between the inside circumference of the cigar lighter outlet shell and a good ground. there should be continuity. If OK, go to STEP 4. If not OK, go to STEP 5.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the Run position. Check for battery voltage at the insulated contact located at the back of the cigar lighter outlet shell. If OK, replace the faulty cigar lighter knob and element. If not OK, go to STEP 5.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the Off position. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Remove the instrument panel center lower bezel. Check for continuity between the ground circuit cavity of the cigar lighter wire harness connector and a good ground. There should be continuity. If OK, go to STEP 6. If not OK, repair the open ground circuit to ground as required.
6. Connect the battery negative cable. Turn the ignition switch to the Accessory or Run positions. Check for battery voltage at the fused B(+) circuit cavity of the cigar lighter wire harness connector. If OK, replace the faulty cigar lighter outlet. If not OK, repair the open fused B(+) circuit to the junction block fuse as required.