hi all I got my wife a 2000 plate focus zetec the car is looking pretty ruff
but it is only for hur work
I was wondering if anyone has any advice on the two usb conections that sit where the cig lighter would go , as my wife would like to charge hur phone when using the car I put a fuse in ( as there wasn't one in ) and it is all working fine the only problem is the blue light that comes on since putting the fuse in wont go out even when the car is off and locked and im worried about this draning the battery as I don't want hur getting stranded at work
many thanks
Jamie

 

I bet that is why they removed the fuse. I would probably not worry about the tiny drain that a little light puts on.


I suspect someone has changed the wiring from switched live (needs the ignition on) to perm live (still charge phones with key off) so either wire it to a switched live or try and work out if the LED is on its own part of the circuit within the USB, you could just cut the feed to the usb as long as the LED is not used to drop the voltage from 12v to 5V that USB work off. It is easy to find a switched live but getting a simple tester or light bulb, one end on earth and other prod around to find a live and then when live found turn off key and see if it goes out...to be safe chuck another in line fuse in...if in any doubt.


I hope this helps?

 

thanks caddyshack
your prob rite about the reason there was no fuse in there lol
I will try having a look at it and fine out if I can sort it as the wife is
hopeing she can use the usb

 

anyone know how to get the cig lighter out
it is located up near the steering wheel and
looks like it will be a pain to get out

 

Are you able to post a pic? I have only ever sat in a focus once before. I suspect you may need to remove the whole panel and get at it from behind....I often start removing stuff around the panel and all becomes clear....just don't force anything. Once you find the first bit to come off it normally reveals the next step in the process. I bet you could google it and see a you tube how to

 

Looks like stereo out first.

 

Biggest problem you have is the socket is permanent 12v, loads of these cheapo usb sockets are bloody dangerous and cant handle phone charging or sat nav loads for periods of time, if you buy the stubby little adaptors like a belkin they have a good safety rating and once fitted they virtually go flat with the facia so dont look naff, and easily removed

 

I did wonder if a car from 2000 would have had it as factory fit back then

 

It looks like a factory fit , if it was my car I'd just leave the fuse in and see if it drains the battery but as its my wife's car I'd better not , I've taken the fuse out for now tho I would like to try and fix the problem for hur , I've tried to look up the problem online but I'm struggling to find any info about it

 

its not OE its ebay 100%, and that one was the type I was refering too of being dangerous as they cant handle the loads quoted

 

Ah ok I'd prob just be best to leave the fuse out , or buy a better brand one and try to replace it just don't think my wiring skills would be up to it .

 

found a advert with the exact same one in it as yours

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/12V-D..._qi=RTM2063738

you are far better off fitting the original socket back in and using one of these types as you can remove it or the usb type from a tom tom as its well filtered


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-BE...item3aaff128ba

 

Thanks for the advice , I wonder how much work would be involved in fitting a cigarette lighter back in there tho , as I'm not the best at the whole wiring thing tho it would be better as my sat nav is not usb it the cig lighter charger type

 

it is a easy job, once stereo is out undo 4 screws on facia and it will pull out enough for you to swap them over as wiring should be plug and play unless whoever fitted that socket bodged it in

 

Yup, doddle to do, I bet halfords would even do it for you, if not then a decent stereo shop.

 

Thanks lads I took the stereo out and managed To fit my hand inn to screw it out and it is just two plugs at the back so it will be a trip to halfords tomorrow for a new cig lighter and I've ordered a new charger from eBay 😀 thanks for all the help , my wife is now off my case well for now till the next thing crops up lol