Where is a safe electrical connection in my car where I could take power from

Tiny
SYEDGILANI
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 TOYOTA PASEO
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
So my cigarette lighter Does not work. I cleaned it out, checked for fuse, the port itself isn't burnt either so the issue must be with the wiring behind. Fixing that would be cost me as I'd need to purchase a new connector etc, and then try replace it myself so I'm not looking to fix it. My only reason to get it repaired is to connect the Bluetooth adapter to it so I can connect my phone and play audio through the radio. However, the Bluetooth adapter just needs a power intake, does not necessarily have to be the 12v, therefore my question is, could you please redirect me to a safe place in the car where I can attach 2 wires and take some power, solder the wires into the Bluetooth connector so it's always receiving a current when the car is on? I could add wires to the radio connection behind the radio etc. I'm not sure, just need a place where It'll be safe for me to connect the 2 wires to the little Bluetooth adapter.
Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 7:13 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,528 POSTS
Looking at the wiring it appears that the issue could be the ground or power connection. What you can try would be to get a test light, then carefully use it to touch the center connector in the lighter socket to see if there is power there.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

I would probably err on the side of caution and slip the probe inside a straw or similar just to be sure you don't ground it to the outer shell by accident. If you have power at the center pin then it's likely that the ground wire, white wire with black stripe, has failed. If no power then it is the gray wire that is the problem.

As for a circuit to use, you could use a fuse vampire connection, That would plug in where the cigarette and radio fuse is and then you add a second fuse to power the tapped circuit. I generally don't like using them as they can cause issues but it would be a reversible item instead of finding other wires to tap.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi,

I would just use the wiring for the cigarette lighter. If you remove the socket and then you will have two wires. One is the power wire and the other is the ground. This should splice right onto your adapter.

Take a look at the diagram and let me know what questions you have.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 4:16 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.