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Can I fix the cigarette lighter in my car?

I bought a used car recently and everything seems to work except for the cigarette lighter. I don’t know how much I would use it anyway, but it might be nice to be able to charge my phone while driving—can I fix the cigarette lighter in my car?

avatar
Andrew Biro · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You can! Before you fix it, however, you’ll need to figure out what is causing the problem—usually either the plug, socket, or an obstruction inside the socket that needs removing.
Ideally, your cigarette lighter outlet isn’t working simply because of the plug itself. If possible, test the plug you usually use in another vehicle. If it still doesn’t work, the issue is definitely the plug and all you have to do is buy a new one.
If the issue isn’t with the plug, something may have gone wrong with the socket, in which case you’ll need to check the cigarette lighter fuse. To do this, consult your owner’s manual for the location of the fuse, find it, and pull it out—if the metal is broken or burnt, the fuse has blown and you’ll need to replace it.
If the fuse looks alright or the socket still doesn’t work after replacing the fuse, test the socket with a multimeter—if it gives you a reading well below 12 volts, the lighter isn’t receiving enough electricity and will need to be replaced by a professional.
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