cigarette lighter

[tcjohnsson]

I don't smoke but my 12V cigarette outlet doesn't seem to work with or without the car on. Is their a switch I'm missing, the fuse bad, or is it probably defective?

BTW is the outlet always on or only when the ignition switch is on. I had a Mazda once that had to be on to charge my cell phone. Very annoying.

[Morty]

Hey,
I just took a look at it(never tried it before because I don't smoke)
Apparentely mine only works when I put my key in the contact.

So if yours doesn't work at all, I think you have a defective one.

Have you checked the fuse already?

[tcjohnsson]

thanks for the info. I'll check with my Mini dealer today

[Morty]

No problem

[Gary Cooper]

In reference to your lighter problem you can try this fix.
Remove panel around lighter and most likely lighter plug is not plugged in. Have seen the same complaint before.

[J.N.]

I use the boot (trunk) socket to power a tyre compressor. The handbook implies that the sockets will work with the ignition switch off.

They won't. The ignition has to be on AND the plug on my compressor has to be inserted in a specific rotational position to align with the socket contacts.

Try that.