12v power or 'cigarette lighter' broken

have you checked the fuses? it's possible that you just blew that one controlling the 12V plug. If that doesn't solve the problem, then i'd say one of the wires came loose. It's a fairly easy job to solder a wire onto a connector, and that part shouldn't cost too much. however, you'll be charged a diagnostics fee, plus whatever time it takes them to locate the failed connection.

If it were me, i'd check the fuse first (don't know which one off the top of my head, sorry). If thats not it, i'd pull off the front of the dash (rather easy to do) and check the immediate connections to the power plug - odds are the problem is there. If not, then i might cave and pay for them to find it... or i might pull out my multimeter and start testing the wire, trace it back to the fuse box, etc until i found the problem then solder in my own fix. I'm cheep like that.

 

the socket is fuse linked which means if it works as it should, a fuse is all you need

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jsplash @ Dec 14 2006, 01:11 PM) [snapback]362254[/snapback]</div>

Umm... you do know that these outlets are not powered when the car is off (at least for 2004 and later models)? Is this true for 2001? Just checking.

- Tom

 

Wish i could tell you... in my '06 they're in a black box directly infront of the driver under the hood. Maybe there's some info on location somewhere on John's website. try looking through http://john1701a.com/ for more information.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Dec 14 2006, 04:35 PM) [snapback]362444[/snapback]</div>

There are more (in 2004 - 2007) under the dash on the left of the steering wheel. If a manual is available, I am sure it would show the location, it does for my 2006.

- Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom_06 @ Dec 14 2006, 03:31 PM) [snapback]362386[/snapback]</div>

I think it is also true of 2007. Reason for my suspicion is that I had a portable GPS navigation unit (Garmin)plugged into front power outlet. I was surprise when I turned off vehicle that the GPS screen went blank. Toyota having the power outet become unpowered when car is turned off is, I think, a dumb idea.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ConnecticutYankee @ Dec 26 2006, 01:47 PM) [snapback]366844[/snapback]</div>

It should still work in auxilary mode though. I'm sure I've used it to pump of my tires in AUX.

Dave M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom_06 @ Dec 14 2006, 04:45 PM) [snapback]362532[/snapback]</div>

The fuse for the power outlets is in that location under the dash at the driver's left knee. The location of each fuse is labeled on the cover that you remove to expose the fuses. This is all for 2004-2007... so don't know how much help that is. I'll give you better than 9:10 odds that it is just a fuse though!

 

I don't have anything with me to check this out, but doesn't the outlet in the center armrest stay active?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bhaynnes @ Dec 27 2006, 12:25 PM) [snapback]367197[/snapback]</div>

I will check it out.

So far, I have only used the power outlet below the glove boxes on the dashboard. In regards to that outlet, I was worried I was actually going to rip it out when I removed the plug from my Garmin GPS navigator. Removal was so strenuous that I expected to pull the "guts" of the outlet. But I figured I would claim a warranty repair if I did.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bhaynnes @ Dec 27 2006, 12:25 PM) [snapback]367197[/snapback]</div>

No. It also is off when the car is off.

- Tom

 

<_< Quote: "Toyota having the power outet become unpowered when car is turned off is, I think, a dumb idea."

ConnecticutYankee...

I respectfully disagree with that opinion. I believe Toyota did it just right. If the 12v auxiliary outlet [aka 'cigarette lgihter'] was continuously powered, it would be easy to deplete the small 12v battery by leaving a cellphone, GPS unit or some other 12v accessory plugged in while the Prius was not in "Ready" mode. There are previous threads in PriusChat detailing how to make that outlet continuously 'hot'.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Dec 27 2006, 04:14 PM) [snapback]367352[/snapback]</div>

Charles,
I stand corrected. I bought my Prius a few weeks ago. It is my first Hybrid, and I am still learning about it...probably will have to keep learning. I do not think I want to make any of the power outlets continuously "hot" for the very reasons you described.

You mentioned your belief that "...Toyota did it just right." Charles, I am amazed at the amount of foresight that is reflected in the Prius. There seems to be good logic behind all of the features and functions of the vehicle.

Thanks for correcting my errornous impression about the power outlets.

Connecticut Yankee

 

Hi Again ConnecticutYankee

My post was not intended as a "correction" - just my observation. I, too, am amazed at the Prius engineering which was my first attraction. The planetary gearset + ICE + Electric Motors + Computer programming to utilize all simultaneously is amazing. The ecological effects and fuel economy had almost the same weight. One of my early comments was "Damned clever these Japanese!"

Having just traded my 2004 for a 2007 Touring Edition, I also observe that Toyota apparently has been "listening to Prius owners." The better tires, larger wheels, arguably better suspension, factory-installed leather seating surfaces, and mud guards are a few examples of some of the 'improvements' that owners of the '04, '05 and '06 owners have been making which are now available from the factory - I might add that also enhance the dealer profits. The higher-resolution MFD was also a welcome enhancement.

I expect you enjoy your Prius - I cxertainly do.

Hope your 2007 is PROSPEROUS AND HEALTHY

 

I stand corrected. I bought my Prius a few weeks ago. It is my first Hybrid, and I am still learning about it...probably will have to keep learning. I do not think I want to make any of the power outlets continuously "hot" for the very reasons you described.

You mentioned your belief that "...Toyota did it just right." Charles, I am amazed at the amount of foresight that is reflected in the Prius. There seems to be good logic behind all of the features and functions of the vehicle.

Thanks for correcting my errornous impression about the power outlets.

Connecticut Yankee [/quote]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I would like it if at least one of those sockets were 'live.' I want to be prepared for the time that I might leave my car parked for an extended time. Many modern cars will deplete their batteries in 2- 4 weeks, what with all the modern gadgetry. In the past, I have used a 'battery tender' to keep that from happening. If the tender has a lighter plug on the business end, it is very easy to just plug it in.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Dec 27 2006, 03:00 PM) [snapback]367413[/snapback]</div>

and to do it all more efficiently than anyone else. something only we take for granted as other car manufacturers attempt to match Toyotas near perfect blend of power trains and computerized control

we have all heard about the vaunted german engineering that is put into their cars. well, very little is known (and they did a great job of quashing this in the press) about mercedes venture into hybrids. they had developed a diesel-electric hybrid and invited several members of the press and automotive community out to see a demostration in the summer of 2004.

to their utter horror, their prized vehicle got WORSE overall mileage then their standard diesel counterpart. they immediately closed off any more information to the press about their project and nothing about any hybrids have been heard from them since.

 

If you decide to use the power outlet to feed power to maintain the battery, be careful. The outlet is normally fed by the switched Accessory 12V line, which is also used to activate associated electronics in acc mode. So if you forcefeed the outlet when in acc mode, you won't be able to get out of acc mode. Part of the car will be off, but part will remain on.
If the car is off and then you forcefeed power through a mod'ed power outlet, then you shouldn't have trouble.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fphinney @ Dec 27 2006, 10:17 PM) [snapback]367565[/snapback]</div>

You can get the power outlet in the dash to be "hot" all the time by getting the power outlet mod that Coastal sells. If you're really handy, you can make the parts (wire and taps) yourself and follow the instructions on the site.