Cigarette lighter accessory socket

[Roger]

Hi,

I have a 2003 Forrester with a lighter accessory socket in the compartment.
I use it to run my iPod transmitter and it also powers up the iPod. The
power goes off with the operation of the ignition key and I have to restart
the ipod whenever I start the engine. Does anybody know how the power up
this outlet at all times?

Cheers,

Roger

 

[mulder]

Hi,

I have a 2003 Forrester with a lighter accessory socket in the compartment.
I use it to run my iPod transmitter and it also powers up the iPod. The
power goes off with the operation of the ignition key and I have to restart
the ipod whenever I start the engine. Does anybody know how the power up
this outlet at all times?

Cheers,

Roger

You would have to rewire the socket to a source of constant 12V power.
The lighter outlets in all Subarus and many other Japanese cars use
accessory-switched power.

 

[y_p_w]

You would have to rewire the socket to a source of constant 12V power.
The lighter outlets in all Subarus and many other Japanese cars use
accessory-switched power.

A 12V source like a portable jump starter might do the trick.
Nearly all will have a 12V socket. Some even have 2 12V
outlets, which might allow a recharge from the car's socket
(with a special plug to plug connector) from the car's lighter
socket while powering another device. Rather heavy, but some
are thin enough to fit under a front seat.

You'd probably be better off just using the battery power off
of the iPod and recharging it when you get home.

 

[Bill Pelka]

Greetings,

I believe that I would leave the system alone. BUT, on a 2001 Forester
(the only wiring diagram that I have) shows that there are 2 "multiple power
sockets". The power comes from the positive on the battery to a 25 amp fuse
labeled "Multiple Power Socket Fuse Holder". From there power goes to a
relay. Red wire in on pin 3 and red wire out on pin 4. Then the red wire
continues to the sockets. Should be the center pins. The outer shell of the
socket is black wire which ties to ground, completing the circuit.

On the relay there is a green wire to pin 1. That is power to the coil in
the relay. Pin 2 is a black wire that ties into ground. That coil is dead
until the car's fuse #4 gets power. Key on or engine is running.

SO what you want is the coil to be picked up all the time, or in this case
the contacts to be closed. The easiest way to do this is to remove the relay
and bridge wire 3 and 4 (red wire in and red wire out). That way all of the
other loads on fuse #4 stay on/off with switch as designed. AND the only
real change is power to the power sockets all the time.

An alternate way to do this might be to leave the socket in and just
jumer/bridge the red wires on pins 3 and 4.

Hope that helps. If you need the 2001 schematics showing this, let me know
and I will get it to you...

Bill

1995 Subaru Legacy LSI Sedan with 114,000 miles
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited Sedan with 2,000 miles
1984 Mercedes 300D Turbo with 200,000 miles
1980 Mercedes 450SL with 225,000 miles
1990 Toyota 4x4 Pickup with 71,000 miles