Odd size of cigarette lighter in front??

[Scottyjohn]

Hi all,
I had a problem where my cigarette lighter in the front hadnt been working since I got the car (A4 B6 Avant 2002), so I got a replacement from Audi and fitted it, as I wanted to use a Belkin unit for my Iphone. All is well, the cigarette lighter itself works perfectly, but I cant get the Belkin unit to work at all, no power.
I plugged it into the unit in the boot and it works fine, so its not the belkin unit at fault. I looked at the fuses, and I see that the fuse for the unit in the boot is a bigger fuse than the one in the front? Does anyone have any ideas why I cant get the front C Lighter to power the Belkin? Is the plug a different size? If so can I get an adapter anywhere?

Many thanks in advance!

[bora(ing) nick]

Hi all,
I had a problem where my cigarette lighter in the front hadnt been working since I got the car (A4 B6 Avant 2002), so I got a replacement from Audi and fitted it, as I wanted to use a Belkin unit for my Iphone. All is well, the cigarette lighter itself works perfectly, but I cant get the Belkin unit to work at all, no power.
I plugged it into the unit in the boot and it works fine, so its not the belkin unit at fault. I looked at the fuses, and I see that the fuse for the unit in the boot is a bigger fuse than the one in the front? Does anyone have any ideas why I cant get the front C Lighter to power the Belkin? Is the plug a different size? If so can I get an adapter anywhere?

Many thanks in advance!

picture of the socket and plug would be handy?

Have you tried anything else in the front cigarette lighter socket?

Nick

[bez101]

my front an boot lighter sockets are the same size

[Scottyjohn]

At work just now so cant get any pics. I dont have anything else with a car lighter end on it so nothing to try.
Ill have a closer look when I get home, it was just to see if it was a "known querk" which I had missed. Strange that the two sockets have different sized fuses though......

[Woorlord]

Some plug-in accessories have interchangeable tips where they pick up the centre +12v of the socket. I have had cases where the power is there but the 3rd party plug just wont pick up the centre connection, or when it feels like it. It tends to be the 3rd party non-official devices that I have had problems with - if possible stay with manufacturers official power unit.

Check the power at the front cig socket with a +12v test lamp or DVM (Digital Volt Meter). This will confirm the fuse is not blown. If the voltage is there it's the accesory power device which is not 100% compatible. Note the outer shell will be connected to the chassis, i.e. Ground or 0v, and the centre tip seen at the bottom of the plg will be +12v. (Be careful not to short the centre to the shell using exposed wires or test probes.)

The front cig lighter fuse is rated at 15A on Fuse 33 - plenty of power for a phone charger!!

My +12v Halfords Tyre Inflator works intermittently and was a tight fit, yet TomTom and Snooper worked 100% without any problems in the same socket.