Help needed: lost power to cigarette lighter - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

vasillalov · 01-09-2013, 10:44 PM

Hi everyone,

I've recently lost all power to all of the cigarette lighter sockets in my 2008 335i. I checked fuse number 8 which according to this diagram is the fuse for the cigarette lighters:

The fuse is fine. I swapped it out with another 20amp fuse and there is still no power to the cig ligher sockets.

Suggestions?.. ideas?....

Malibu1 · 01-09-2013, 11:51 PM

I had the same problem with mine. But then it worked one day. If I turn on my driving lights, the cig lighter works. Turn off driving lights, and cig lighter does not work. This car seems to always amaze me. Someday I will take the time to see what gives. Its like number 25 on my things to fix on the 335i list.

vasillalov · 01-10-2013, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malibu1

I had the same problem with mine. But then it worked one day. If I turn on my driving lights, the cig lighter works. Turn off driving lights, and cig lighter does not work. This car seems to always amaze me. Someday I will take the time to see what gives. Its like number 25 on my things to fix on the 335i list.

Sounds like a malfunctioning relay somewhere. I need to check and see if I can replicate this...

vasillalov · 01-10-2013, 11:01 PM

bump.

d8rknight · 01-11-2013, 02:07 PM

make sure there isnt any (pennies, paperclips, dimes etc) in any of the sockets. I penny fell into my socket in the arm rest and i lost power as well.

vasillalov · 01-13-2013, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d8rknight

make sure there isnt any (pennies, paperclips, dimes etc) in any of the sockets. I penny fell into my socket in the arm rest and i lost power as well.

Good advice. I do not keep anything in my ash tray or center console. I think I may have a relay that's either blown or stuck on stupid... I will try unplugging the battery and see if that will fix it.

Are there any other fuses for me to check?

avocet · 01-13-2013, 11:16 PM

maybe an obvious suggestion, but what are you using to test the outlets? are you using a power cord? the same power cord?

perhaps the fuse in the cord itself is melted.

Nikki.Alexa · 01-14-2013, 04:07 AM

Don't fix that. You shouldn't be smoking in a beautiful car anyway lol

vasillalov · 01-15-2013, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexandra92

Don't fix that. You shouldn't be smoking in a beautiful car anyway lol

I do not smoke! Never have, never will. I need the outlets to power various gadgets: GPS and cell phone charger.

vasillalov · 01-15-2013, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avocet

maybe an obvious suggestion, but what are you using to test the outlets? are you using a power cord? the same power cord?

perhaps the fuse in the cord itself is melted.

I only use my GPS. It won't power on. The fuse in the charger cable for the GPS is fine. I also tried heating up my OEM cigarette lighter but it won't pop out and it never heats up.

I've not had a chance to disconnect the battery yet in hope that that will release the relay which I think it's stuck.

Any other suggestions? I really do not want to bring this to the dealer and have newbie mechanic on training mess with my electrics.

vasillalov · 01-19-2013, 01:39 PM

Bump for more ideas and suggestions.

Blackhawk36 · 01-19-2013, 01:45 PM

Have you removed the socket to see if the wires to it have power? If they do, your socket is bad. Unfortunately, spark chasing is probably the only way to figure this out. If you have the Bentley manual you can check the pin connectors too. It has very complete wiring diagrams and schematics.

avocet · 01-19-2013, 01:54 PM

apparently some models/build dates had different fuse positions... #30 seems to be the location on some models...

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=883654

Romanianbimmer · 01-19-2013, 03:20 PM

Check and see if something else works In that socket.

cmyk · 01-19-2013, 05:50 PM

Can you check to verify whether the fuse itself is getting power at the junction box? If you have a voltmeter, just take the fuse out, touch one lead to a ground/chassis and stick the other one inside the #30 (IIRC, or maybe it's #8) fuse terminals.

I had the same problem and BMW ended up replacing the junction box (luckily under warranty -- otherwise I probably would have just lived without the 12v ports!)

psmitty95 · 01-19-2013, 06:14 PM

Check fuse 8. That's what it was on my car and in the pic you posted that's what it is on that list.

vasillalov · 01-20-2013, 08:53 AM

So guess what. Out of nowhere, it started working again. I had a CEL due to a misfiring cylinder number 3. I used the BT Tool to read and clear the stored DTC. After that I issued a Reset ECU command. After this, all of my sockets now work.

Weirdest thing I've ever seen...

01-09-2013, 10:44 PM	#1
vasillalov Mad Linux Guru On The Loose Drives: 2008 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3,993 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 335i E90 [4.00]	Help needed: lost power to cigarette lighter Hi everyone, I've recently lost all power to all of the cigarette lighter sockets in my 2008 335i. I checked fuse number 8 which according to this diagram is the fuse for the cigarette lighters: The fuse is fine. I swapped it out with another 20amp fuse and there is still no power to the cig ligher sockets. Suggestions?.. ideas?.... __________________ Equal Opportunity Harasser! 6MT \| COBB \| AR \| AE \| Forge DV \| HPF \| P3 Gauge \| Hybrid Intake \| O.S.Giken TCD \| M3 bits BMWCCA #447439
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01-09-2013, 11:51 PM	#2
Malibu1 Private First Class Drives: 2007 335i Sedan 6MT Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Washington State Posts: 159 iTrader: (2)	I had the same problem with mine. But then it worked one day. If I turn on my driving lights, the cig lighter works. Turn off driving lights, and cig lighter does not work. This car seems to always amaze me. Someday I will take the time to see what gives. Its like number 25 on my things to fix on the 335i list. __________________ 2007 335I 6MT, 1965 Backdraft Cobra Replica, 2006 Ford Harley F150, 2009 Scion XB and 2004 Malibu VLX

01-10-2013, 11:01 PM	#4
vasillalov Mad Linux Guru On The Loose Drives: 2008 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3,993 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 335i E90 [4.00]	bump. __________________ Equal Opportunity Harasser! 6MT \| COBB \| AR \| AE \| Forge DV \| HPF \| P3 Gauge \| Hybrid Intake \| O.S.Giken TCD \| M3 bits BMWCCA #447439

01-11-2013, 02:07 PM	#5
d8rknight Lieutenant Drives: 2010 335i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: LA/MD guess im bi-coastal :) Posts: 437 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 Yamaha R1 [0.00] 2011 Infinity G37x [0.00] 2010 335i [0.00]	make sure there isnt any (pennies, paperclips, dimes etc) in any of the sockets. I penny fell into my socket in the arm rest and i lost power as well. __________________ 2010 335i Coupe / 6MT / JB4 / Straight Pipes / BMS DCI / Cold Weather Pkg / Premium / Red Dakota Interior/ Logic 7 Sound / Aero Lip / x8500 HW / Black Kidneys / 3000k Fogs / BMS AE'S /AUBURN WDE / PATRIOTS / CELTICS / REDSOX 07 e92 Sports Package 6MT - sold 03/2013

01-19-2013, 01:39 PM	#11
vasillalov Mad Linux Guru On The Loose Drives: 2008 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3,993 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 335i E90 [4.00]	Bump for more ideas and suggestions. __________________ Equal Opportunity Harasser! 6MT \| COBB \| AR \| AE \| Forge DV \| HPF \| P3 Gauge \| Hybrid Intake \| O.S.Giken TCD \| M3 bits BMWCCA #447439

01-13-2013, 11:16 PM	#7
avocet Second Lieutenant Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Vancouver bc Posts: 283 iTrader: (0)	maybe an obvious suggestion, but what are you using to test the outlets? are you using a power cord? the same power cord? perhaps the fuse in the cord itself is melted.

01-14-2013, 04:07 AM	#8
Nikki.Alexa E92 GRL Drives: 335i E92 N54 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Woodside/SF bay Posts: 287 iTrader: (0)	Don't fix that. You shouldn't be smoking in a beautiful car anyway lol __________________ BMS JB4 G5//LUX H8 V3//Matte Black Grills//19" M310s

01-19-2013, 01:45 PM	#12
Blackhawk36 Second Lieutenant Drives: 2007 335i 6MT No iDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD Posts: 212 iTrader: (0)	Have you removed the socket to see if the wires to it have power? If they do, your socket is bad. Unfortunately, spark chasing is probably the only way to figure this out. If you have the Bentley manual you can check the pin connectors too. It has very complete wiring diagrams and schematics.

01-19-2013, 01:54 PM	#13
avocet Second Lieutenant Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Vancouver bc Posts: 283 iTrader: (0)	apparently some models/build dates had different fuse positions... #30 seems to be the location on some models... http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=883654

01-19-2013, 03:20 PM	#14
Romanianbimmer Private Drives: 2010 335i xdrive Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hot springs Arkansas. Posts: 94 iTrader: (0)	Check and see if something else works In that socket.

01-19-2013, 05:50 PM	#15
cmyk resident girl. Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,004 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [4.38]	Can you check to verify whether the fuse itself is getting power at the junction box? If you have a voltmeter, just take the fuse out, touch one lead to a ground/chassis and stick the other one inside the #30 (IIRC, or maybe it's #8) fuse terminals. I had the same problem and BMW ended up replacing the junction box (luckily under warranty -- otherwise I probably would have just lived without the 12v ports!) __________________ 2008 E90 335i // Black Everything // photos COBB tuned / QTP e-cutouts / Helix FMIC / cp-e DCI / AWE BOVs / Black M6 wheels + Toyo Proxes (and yes, I am a girl)

01-19-2013, 06:14 PM	#16
psmitty95 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2009 E90 335i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Greenwich, CT Posts: 1,907 iTrader: (4)	Check fuse 8. That's what it was on my car and in the pic you posted that's what it is on that list. __________________ E90 335i xDrive 6spd, Nav, Prem, Cold Weather, & Sports package - Msport Conversion Mods: FBO minus meth - JB4 15ohm \| ER + Tial \| VRSF \| STETT \| KW V1, OSS 2-Tone w/ V4's, Alufelgen SF-71's, TMS brake kit, "CRT" Perf. Spoiler, CF interior, ACS pedals, and much more Pictures: Build Thread /// Shop I use: Aci Dynamix

01-20-2013, 08:53 AM	#17
vasillalov Mad Linux Guru On The Loose Drives: 2008 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3,993 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 335i E90 [4.00]	So guess what. Out of nowhere, it started working again. I had a CEL due to a misfiring cylinder number 3. I used the BT Tool to read and clear the stored DTC. After that I issued a Reset ECU command. After this, all of my sockets now work. Weirdest thing I've ever seen... __________________ Equal Opportunity Harasser! 6MT \| COBB \| AR \| AE \| Forge DV \| HPF \| P3 Gauge \| Hybrid Intake \| O.S.Giken TCD \| M3 bits BMWCCA #447439

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