someone82

I'm puzzled on this one and I can't find any answers.

I've tried multiple chargers and not one works in the 12v outlet in the cab but the cigarette lighter works just fine in it. The fuse isn't blown, just not one phone charger will work in it, any ideas?

It's an 85 pickup.

Thanks,
Matt

Stetson_md

Twisting the chargers around might help the outlet is dirty/oxidized new outlet is only 4bucks or so and 2 wires

someone82

Yes I twisted and even took scotch brite to it, to no luck. I might just pick up another one. will any of the universal ones work or do I need a toyota one?

Stetson_md

Universal should work fine .When you scotch brighted it did you get the peice in the very back of the outlet? That's generally the problem spot

Smilemon

I'll second that. The lighter has a lot of surface area to make contact with the back, but those phone chargers just have one tiny little point of contact. You can always chop out the cig lighter and directly wire a usb charger in if you're feeling a bit ambitious.

someone82

I think I did... But I'll give it another shot before I bite the bullet... This truck has been filled with electrical gremlins and this is about the last one I have to fix besides hunting down a factory fuel tank sender. It sat for 12 years with rats calling it home. haha

The USB idea doesn't sound like a bad idea, I might have to give that a try!

Stetson_md

Most new radios have a usb charger built in in case you need a new one anyway

bryan34w

I have the same problem. I thought it was the factory cig socket so I went to autozone and put in a new one. Same results. I bought one of their 12v external mount plugs( the black one with a little spring loaded door that shuts) screwed it into the plastic next to the radio ran my own wires with an inline fuse at the battery and was done with it.

Smilemon

Just to show the simplicity of a USB circuit, this is a phone charging system that I'm wiring up for my bike. The battery was like 12 bucks, and the 2 port charger was 6 bucks at Walmart. It's designed for a 12 volt car system, but I'm charging my phone just fine off of a 6 volt battery.

The red wire is the ground. I couldn't find any black wire.

someone82

That's bitchin! I'm definitely going to do that, it's a lot less expensive than a new stereo, although I due for one in this little truck soon!

someone82

Glad to know I'm not the only one that has discovered this, what year is your truck?

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

A lot of those older vehicles the lighter socket might not work as a power port because the way the socket is made .

Just for a lighter look at the lighter there is nothing on the end but the coil

So no way the new style charger will work.

I have nothing that old that has not been changed out. But anything after 86 should work with a real good cleaning .

Fitting brush on a drill works wonders

It has been years so I could be wrong

bryan34w

I have an 85 sr5 truck.

someone82

Thanks for the advice guys! I'll try cleaning the contacts one last time, otherwise I'll just wire in a USB port. Here's a pic of my 85 sr5 long bed that I've brought back from the dead:

jerry507

My iPhone charger is picky, it has to be in a fairly narrow range of angles and has to be shoved in all the way and then given another big shove to make contact.

Cig lighter sockets/plugs are a terrible connector design not helped by complete lack of standardization in their dimensions.

Smilemon

Good looking truck! Let us know if you get your problem solved.

Menel

Clean more, or replace. Universal one should work fine.

The micro Griffin branded one is slick, fits right in, several people have thought I built them into the dash until you look closer.

And of course the Pioneer radio has digital HDRadio (access about 20 additional subchannels in Atlanta), and Bluetooth music from iPhone, as well as handsfree calls. It out techs my Acura =)

someone82

Well I took it out and took a brass wheel on a dremel to it and now it works! Guess just regular old hand work just didn't cut it! Thanks for the advice guys. Nows it time to move onto more important work like giving this truck a lift or maybe a 4wd conversion!