Getting a permanent feed to the cigar lighter 12V output

[Justin Smith]

The original thread got sidetracked into powerpacks then moved to "General", but someone on A N Other forum came up with this solution.

Before I start messing with my cars electrics can the esteemed members of this forum give their opinions on this ?

The solution he found involved merely moving the power socket fuse to a different location in the fusebox.

For the Toyota Auris 2 fuse locations see ;
https://fuseandrelay.com/toyota/auris-2.html

and scroll down to the photos. You will see that fuse positions 1 & 17 are for the cig lighter but only position 17 is populated (blue 15A fuse). Moving this fuse to the alternative position MAY solve your problem.

You can check this beforehand with a multimeter as follows; With key off remove the fuse from position 1 or 17 (there should only be one). Check for Battery voltage between a good ground (Car body) and each contact in fuse receptacles 1 & 17, only one contact should be live. If this proves to be the case check continuity between the other contact in that receptacle and the contacts in the other fuse receptacle. There should be continuity to only one. If these conditions are met you have a fuse receptacle with a permanent feed for the cig lighter. Insert the fuse there! Handy hint - When probing auto fuse holders with some multimeter probes it can be difficult to make a good contact. Using a crimp on spade terminal of appropriate size (no need to crimp it) can help.

[Justin Smith]

Sadly the above solution does not appear a goer as all the fuse positions in my car's fuse box appear to be in use, i.e. there are no empty ones to move (or add) a fuse to.

[yossarian247]

The only car I've had with this was a Citroen Xantia I owned some years ago. The fuses for the 12V lighter socket and the radio each had two positions in the fusebox, and depending on which position you put the fuse in you could have them either switched with the ignition, or permanently live. A really handy feature which I'd never seen on anything else before or since.

[tavy]

Hi Justin !

  The simpliest solution is cutting the plus wire of cigarette lighter and route a new one from backside of radio, there you can easily find a permanent plus. 

  I hope this helps.

[Justin Smith]

On 7/5/2023 at 4:28 PM, tavy said:

Hi Justin !

  The simpliest solution is cutting the plus wire of cigarette lighter and route a new one from backside of radio, there you can easily find a permanent plus. 

  I hope this helps.

Thanks for that but I think the radio on my Auris also needs the key in the ignition to work !
But, even it it weren't, would that be the same current rating ?

[Roy124]

Justin, it depends on what you want to draw from the lighter socket.  As you want a permanent feed I expect it will be low power so that should not be a problem. 

When you identify the feed you chose, check the rating of the appropriate service. 

[tavy]

2 hours ago, Justin Smith said:

Thanks for that but I think the radio on my Auris also needs the key in the ignition to work !
But, even it it weren't, would that be the same current rating ?

  Yes Justin, you are right, every radio shuts off when key is removed from ignition, but every radio needs a permanent plus for it's memory in order to keep the settings.

  You can identify the wires  with a voltmeter .

  There is no risk to overload or harm your wires because your charger draws low current, less then 1 amp.