Comments on: I have a 2004 Ford Taurus and recently my 12 Volt outlet stopped working. How do I fix it?

By: Robert F

Robert F — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:47:35 +0000

I assume you mean cigarette lighter socket . does everything else work ?
The lighter itself could be bad or just a blown fuse. a box of fuses less than $5 , lighter less than $10 , socket and lighter set less than $15 , labor up to $45

There may be a fusable link (fuse wire) blown they are usually at the starter silinoid Less than $5

By: ernie26

ernie26 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:47:35 +0000

To start off, you should look to see if its a fuse cuz you dont want to take it somewhere and they charger alot of money for something small and easy like that.

By: don r

don r — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:47:35 +0000

There may be another fuse blown. Find the alternator fuse way back under the dash, apart from the main fuse box. Look in a repair manual to minimise the search.

By: Wolf Harper

Wolf Harper — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:47:35 +0000

Check again on the fuse, inverters draw a lot of current and that’s a very likely culprit. Keep in mind some cars have 2 fuse boxes, one under the dash and one under the hood.

Also look in there with a flashlight and see if you see burned contacts.

Also try plugging something else in… cell phone charger, whatever you got, or just the lighter if it’s a lighter plug. Maybe the inverter is blown, not the power outlet.

Otherwise you’ll just have to pay someone to chase it… figure at least $100.

By: Randoo1989

Randoo1989 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:47:35 +0000

my guess is that fried or is grounding out somewhere,i would run new wire right to the battery through the fire wall and to the out let,try to get the same gauge of wire thats already used,cut the wire for the outlet about an inch then splice the new wire to it,go to a harware store to get the new wire should cost under ten bucks,and maybe 30 minutes to install