12v Power Accessory Socket Doesn't Light Cigarette Lighter?

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Old Apr 24, 2010 | 02:20 AM
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12v Power Accessory Socket Doesn't Light Cigarette Lighter?

Hi everyone. I just bought a 03' Charcoal Grey TL with 112k on the clock for $5800. I just want to know from you guys if it was a good deal since this is my first TL and Acura. And yes, the transmission was changed 2 years ago so I should be ok. Right? I just read in my manual that the 12v accessory ("lighter") socket doesn't power "an automotive type cigarette lighter". I just find it weird because I always thought that, that was the main reason for having one of those. I used it a lot in my BMW that broke down recently but I can't believe that it doesn't power a cigarette lighter. What happens if I put one in? It just won't work? Thanks.

P.S. It's funny that "Acura" is considered a misspelled word on an Acura forum.
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Old Apr 24, 2010 | 05:59 AM
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P.S. It's funny that
That's probably your computer's text spell check. My MacBook does the same thing.

Yes, I can easily see paying $5800 for a needs-nothing '03, especially if the 105,000 service was done. Timing belt, water pump, etc.
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Old Apr 24, 2010 | 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by finalcross
Hi everyone. I just bought a 03' Charcoal Grey TL with 112k on the clock for $5800. I just want to know from you guys if it was a good deal since this is my first TL and Acura. And yes, the transmission was changed 2 years ago so I should be ok. Right? I just read in my manual that the 12v accessory ("lighter") socket doesn't power "an automotive type cigarette lighter". I just find it weird because I always thought that, that was the main reason for having one of those. I used it a lot in my BMW that broke down recently but I can't believe that it doesn't power a cigarette lighter. What happens if I put one in? It just won't work? Thanks.

P.S. It's funny that "Acura" is considered a misspelled word on an Acura forum.
Welcome to the forum. It does power a cig lighter, Its a option you had to ask for at the dealer. Notice the "not an ashtray" coin tray? There isnt a ashtray there, you had to get the smokers option to get the metal tray and lighter. I did use a cig lighter from a different honda and it worked just fine.


And its not the forum that is spell checking, its your internet browser.
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Old Apr 24, 2010 | 11:19 AM
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next to the not an ashtray (you can buy an ashtray insert at dealer)
is the real cigarette lighter 12 v power- with big amps

The one in the center console is a `power port`- for running things like portable nav unit or kids cd player with low amp draw
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Old Apr 24, 2010 | 07:51 PM
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How much is the Ashtray insert at the dealer? I can't seem to find it online. If it is more than $10, I'm just going to use a lighter.
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Old Apr 24, 2010 | 08:31 PM
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the ashtray replaces the small compartment that says Not an ashtray
currently used for coins or whatever- caution: coins like to jump out and behind the panel~

your car should have a cigarette lighter built in to the right of the Not- and the extra power port inside the center/arm console- even has a place for cords to come thru so it still closes flat...
unless mine was a special order car!

call parts dept on monday and ask
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Old Apr 25, 2010 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by 01tl4tl
and the extra power port inside the center/arm console- even has a place for cords to come thru so it still closes flat...
unless mine was a special order car!
Never looked closely at the rear console but where is this route you're talking about?
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Old Apr 25, 2010 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by dudeinaTL
Never looked closely at the rear console but where is this route you're talking about?
Open the lid look at the middle piece that lifts up, there is a notch for a chord to come thru.
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Old Apr 26, 2010 | 10:22 AM
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dont smoke... your re-sale value will thank you

on a serious note, i've never seen the 2G with a cig lighter... learn something every day.
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Old Apr 27, 2010 | 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by 01tl4tl
next to the not an ashtray (you can buy an ashtray insert at dealer)
is the real cigarette lighter 12 v power- with big amps

The one in the center console is a `power port`- for running things like portable nav unit or kids cd player with low amp draw
I think they are both rated the same; 10 amps or less.
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Old Apr 27, 2010 | 02:08 PM
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please excuse my dirty interior
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Old Apr 27, 2010 | 02:22 PM
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looks like somebody was clapping while simultaneously holding cheese nips in both hands...
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Old Apr 27, 2010 | 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Rockstar21
looks like somebody was clapping while simultaneously holding cheese nips in both hands...
hahahahahhaha...... its tobacco
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Old Apr 28, 2010 | 11:10 PM
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Can I even use the "Not an Ashtray" as a phone charger or gps charger...cause I tried to plug in my FM transmitter but it didn't work and when I pulled it out I almost pulled the whole thing out along with the silver part. There is like no connection for the plug. I then plugged it into the center console and it worked. I couldn't find the hole at first to put the wire through but then at night there is a light in there so I put my hand in there and dug around and finally found the hole Thanks 01tl4tl for mentioning it. I was just crushing my wire with the armrest because i can't drive without an armrest.
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Old Apr 29, 2010 | 12:51 AM
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the thing next to the ashtray in pic is a power port- 12 volt- for those items mentioned above
In many cases its come off its retainer or something and may have pulled the wire off in back
Mine pushed in and need to fix ...Anyone done that? suggestions?, cut side panel off for access~
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Old Apr 29, 2010 | 12:52 AM
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smokers- you can get a plastic cup like device that goes in the cup holder- its an ashtray!- 2 bucks at parts stores

thank you for not littering
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Old Aug 27, 2010 | 09:42 PM
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Hi guys I am new here. I guess I have the same problem as I am stuck with the non-smoker edition of my 2003 TL.

I always found it confusing as the car has ashtrays on all the doors but the drivers and no lighter. I plugged in my old lighter from my accord but not working. Are the Acura lighters different than others?

Since I loose my lighters every other day I guess i have to DIY it.
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Old Aug 28, 2010 | 02:49 AM
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Its so the driver is focused on operating the vehicle in a safe way, not smoking!
and keeps smoke away from the cd player and electronics--they dont like smoke

In their early years- BMWs came to this country with NO cupholders at all-!!
the driving experience itself in Eurpope demands full attention, so they didnt think usa car drivers would need several drink holders and ashtrays and....

IF canada cars same as usa:
there is a lighter socket to the right of Not an Ashtray- may require acura lighter (my 01 came with it and nav)

That socket does like to come out of its holder behind the panel-
have to get in there and clip it back in (mine is loose now)

You can buy, from acura - an ashtray to replace the Not ...box
I think they intended the box for change but you dont want to lose coins thru the back of there (shaking head)

the power port in the center arm rest is NOT a lighter- the wiring is not made for that high a power draw
You CAN run gps and other devices from there- I have a 3 outlet splitter plugged into mine- then whatever I want to run,,satellite radio, phone charger etc,,low load draw items are fine there

Last edited by 01tl4tl; Aug 28, 2010 at 02:51 AM.
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Old Aug 28, 2010 | 02:50 AM
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if you have a lighter outlet- did you ck the fuse for power?
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Old Aug 28, 2010 | 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by 01tl4tl
if you have a lighter outlet- did you ck the fuse for power?
Yep, I plugged in the 96 honda, then the Ford F150, then the Elantra lighters all the lighters are loose and doesnt hold so i think they used the sub assembly for power only.
Checked the pin inside and its flat nothing is protruding out of the back of the shaft.

Anyways I am going to the dealership and get a acura lighter + ashtray

The plug works fine because it is charging my iphone but to change it is it the same setup as the 2004 tl? because i couldnt find anything for 2003 TL.

http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/AI/BII25333.pdf
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Old Feb 10, 2014 | 08:02 PM
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i have an 2004 tl . i dont have power at either outlet , fuses look good any ideas?
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Old Mar 2, 2014 | 03:50 PM
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I an trying to figure out how to charge my cell phone, there is no cigarette lighter style outlet, which accepts cell phone charging
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Old Mar 2, 2014 | 03:53 PM
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The manual says it can not power items a cigarette lighter outlet can.
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