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Fuse for cigarette lighter keeps burning out - what to to do? 850 1996

posted by Hugh on Mon Feb 16 20:14 CST 2015
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:47 CST 2014

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Hello All,

I have a 1996 850 GLT wagon, which I have owned since new, and it now has 355,000 miles on it. About 2 weeks ago, the 10 amp fuse (fuse #30 in the fuse block) which only powers the cigarette lighter burned out. In light of the fact this was the first time in 19 years I ever replaced this fuse, I thought nothing of it. In my mind, this fuse owed me nothing.

Within a week, the replacement fuse I installed also burned out. This electrical socket gets a lot of use. This is my wife’s car, and she is constantly plugging in her I-Phone to be recharged, her Apple Pad (tablet) to be recharged and her GPS unit. She has been using these various accessories without blowing any fuses for years. I just mention this to underscore the use this electrical socket gets on a regular basis.

I suspect there might be an electrical short which is burning out this 10 amp fuse. Does anyone have an idea where this short could be, or how I could detect its location? Is it possible the electrical socket itself has become “worn” and is causing the short from the constant pushing in and pulling out of electrical plugs to power the various accessories I have described. I have another 1996 850 and 1999 XC and neither car has had this problem. Thanks in advance to all who respond.

Hugh

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Fuse for cigarette lighter keeps burning out - what to to do? 850 1996

posted by B.B. on Tue Feb 17 07:59 CST 2015
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last visit: Mon Oct 6 13:15 CST 2014

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Hi Hugh,

It's also possible that the items plugged into the socket are drawing too
much current.

You can test for a possible resistive socket that is drawing current on it's own.
Get an ammeter <10 amps in series with the car battery, then plug in
the lighter fuse and see if the current increases with nothing in the socket.

Be careful when measuring current that you don't exceed the rating of the meter
or you'll lose the meter fuse. (That means don't run the windows when measuring
current with a 10A max multimeter.)

Bill

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Fuse for cigarette lighter keeps burning out - what to to do? 850 1996

posted by Hugh on Tue Feb 17 16:52 CST 2015
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:47 CST 2014

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Bill,

Thank you for your suggestion. I appreciate your help in solving this problem.

Hugh

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Fuse for cigarette lighter keeps burning out - what to to do? 850 1996

posted by KlausC on Mon Feb 16 20:48 CST 2015
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

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Yes, the socket gets worn out, the base gets rusty, the bottom of the socket can collect metal shavings, etc. I had to replace the one on my 1996 as the rust caused an immediate blown fuse.

The hard part to replacement is pulling the center console to get the socket out. Replacements can be bought at autoparts stores, just make sure you get a lighted one so you can see it at night. Take the original one with you to get the correct size.
--
My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

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Fuse for cigarette lighter keeps burning out - what to to do? 850 1996

posted by Hugh on Mon Feb 16 22:06 CST 2015
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:47 CST 2014

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Klaus,

Thank you. I’m hoping this socket is still available from Volvo. I was thinking, what may have also contributed to the “death” of this socket, is that “my bride” likes to have her cup of coffee or bottle of water or ice tea in the cup holder. To protect the control panel below, I always insisted she put some paper towel over it to catch any spills. Perhaps some liquids over the years have “migrated” to the socket opening. Of course a lot goes on in that car when she drives it that is never told to me, and this may be an example. I suspect I am not alone in this experience.

Hugh

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Fuse for cigarette lighter keeps burning out - what to to do? 850 1996

posted by KlausC on Tue Feb 17 09:49 CST 2015
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

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Please do not blame your wife. These sockets were intended for a cigarette lighter and not built to handle large phone chargers and other adapters. Some adapters are very hard to get into the opening and tend to bend the side metal as well as to eventually rub through the grounding sides.

The 850's location is not helpful either. The vertical hole tends to collect moisture and cause rust at the base. Take a close look and you will see what I mean. The 'spillage' from the cup holder doesn't go forward enough to reach the open hole. If you were a smoker, you would find that the lighter works quite well and lasts a very long time because the heat generated will burn off any condensation, keeping the rust away.

I know that pulling the center console out is a pain, but that also gives you a chance to clean the switches, etc. You can still take the lighter to a parts store and find one that fits for less than $15, and it might even work better for charger plug-ins than a Volvo part.
--
My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

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