MKI C5 cigarette lighter

SaabC5 · Unread post by **SaabC5** » 28 Aug 2011, 08:13

Tried to use my Garmin satnav today via the cigarette lighter power supply. When i pulled the lighter out there appears to be a clear plastic sleeve with several cracks in it attached to the lower half. Is this sleeve supposed to stay in the trim piece around the gearlever or is it correct in coming out with the lighter? Either way the satnav plug isn't deep enough to reach into the socket to provide a supply.

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 28 Aug 2011, 08:21

Based on experience with a Xantia, that plastic sleeve is NOT supposed to come out.

Once it is broken, there is a high probability that attempting to plug anything into the socket will cause a short-circuit and blow the fuse.

Clogzz · Unread post by **Clogzz** » 28 Aug 2011, 13:28

C5 lighter with sleeve at top.
The rear socket has a shorter reach.

THELABMAN · Unread post by **THELABMAN** » 28 Aug 2011, 19:34

Your lighter looks remarkably like mine does and my socket still works fine.

The problem with the socket is finding something that's slim enough enough to reach far enough down to make a contact... most power supply plugs are to short in length, to broad at the shoulder or both.

I'd to buy a twin adaptor from Maplin to pug into it to allow me to power my Sat Nav & Bluetooth handsfree.... my 2nd power socket at the back of the console being dead.

Peter

BX · Unread post by BX » 28 Aug 2011, 21:46

The cigarette lighter in the picture looks fine to me.
There is also a dc socket towards the rear of the centre console which is much more suitable for plugging in accessories. as you say the cigarette lighter socket is much too deep for most plugs.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 28 Aug 2011, 21:58

It's odd, my cig lighter socket works fine with the Ozone generator but the centre socket doesn't work at all.
Conversely, the centre socket runs my camera chargers and satnav but the fag lighter won't.

dnsey · Unread post by **dnsey** » 29 Aug 2011, 09:10

The neatest solution for non-smokers is to replace the lighter with a power socket like the rear one. Bear in mind that the power may be switched with the ignition, depending on the optional fuse position.

Clogzz · Unread post by **Clogzz** » 29 Aug 2011, 17:46

socket at the back of the console being dead

The rear socket is easy to reach by lifting the box out.
There are two 10 mm nuts inside to remove the end part of the console.
The socket wires live dangerously near the moving handbrake metals.
I found a bodgie with twisted wires and sticky tape.

No mention of the rear socket fuse in the owner’s book,

it goes like this:
F7 - 20A - yellow - 12 volt accessories socket (front)
F9 - 30A - green - front windows - sun roof - 12 volt accessories socket (in boot)