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Boxster cigarette lighter blowing fuses.

S

Stewy45

New member
Hi fellow members.
I am new to the club having purchased my Boxster S 3.2 convertible only last October.
I absolutely love my car and enjoy every minute I spend in it. My only concern is that there
is no spare wheel and in the event of a puncture I would need to use the spray stuff and use
the compressor supplied to get mobile again. Here lies my problem. When I purchased the car
I hadn't noticed that the cigarette lighter was stuck down in the lighter unit. I have managed to
extract the lighter and having checked the appropriate fuse found that it was fused. I inserted
the correct 15 amp fuse which instantly fused. Another fuse and another blow. As I need to use
the lighter in the event of a puncture I have been very nervous to take the car out and this is
spoiling my enjoyment of this wonderful car. Can anyone shed any light on what the problem
might be so that I can continue to use the car with confidence. All other electrical systems in
the car are working.
Stuart
 
Is the cigarette lighter the only 12 volt source in your generation of Boxster ? I have one tucked up under the glove box which can be used for this purpose but I am not sure if that is the same in 986 987 variants

 
Hi Kaiser981
Just been out to look and have found a 12v supply under the glove box on the side of the passenger tunnel.
It is currently pouring with rain so will leave trying it until it stops. I will keep you informed. Would still like
to sort out the lighter fuse problem even though I'm a non smoker.
Thank you for that info.
Stuart
 
If it works you can at least get out and enjoy the car without the worry of getting stranded. Then you can tackle the other issue at a later date.

 
With the lighter being `stuck down` ... it`s possibly overheated / burned the contacts in the receiver - are there any signs of this ?

You may require a complete new unit
 
The lighter end of the unit does look a bit burnt but I put that down to a previous smoking owner's heavy usage.
If the unit is knackered where would I source a new one from and would it be simple to replace myself?
I do have some auto-mechanical knowledge having worked for Vauxhall for 30+ years!!!
 
Stuart,

Since you’re getting repeated fuse blowing it’s clear that there’s a short-circuit, and as Andrew says you’d have to assume that the problem is local to the cigarette lighter so you need to remove the unit for a close examination which shouldn’t be a difficult task for you given your background.

You may be able to source a used part but otherwise your local Porsche Centre will be able to help and you’ll benefit from a 10% parts discount as a Club member.

Jeff
 
It may be that the socket in the passenger footwell is off the same fuse

Getting the centre console out isn't too tricky and there are guides on the internet.

Getting the cigarette lighter socket out of the console is a b****r. I made this note: cigarette lighter removal. Squeeze in bottom edge of small square holes. Insert then comes out, followed by plastic surround. Will NOT come out in one piece.
 
The two sockets are probably on the same fuse.
Your best course is to remove the centre console and just unplug the cigarette lighter. Then put in another fuse and if it doesn’t blow then you know it’s the cigarette lighter unit. If it does blow do the same for the 12v socket in the footwell. If the fuse still blows with both of the sockets disconnected then you have a problem with the wiring and should have a vehicle sparky get involved.
Hope this helps.

 
Thank you for all of your comments/advice. I have just been out to try the footwell
socket with a portable compressor and it works. Now I am going to try and source
a new/replacement cigarette lighter and then remove the centre console and refit
the new one. I have taken on board the comments from Richard re-getting the old unit out.
Thank you all and I will keep the post updated.
Stuart
 
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