Cigarette lighter on accessories

[Tristan8712]

Hi, I did a bit of googling and couldn't find anything of use on this subject. How would I go about changing the cigarette lighter config so it is active when the key position is on accessories?

I have to wait anywhere up to 4 hours in my car sometimes, and would like to be able to at least have my iPhone charging and playing music through my FM transmitter without wasting all my fuel.

Thanks.

[jfj707]

It should charge even WITHOUT the key in the ignition... just sitting.

[nismoracer65789]

Yup mine charges with the key out

[E36 Phantom]

I wish mine was that way.....the front cig lighter should work at any time. I wish it would go off with the key out of the ignition so I don't have to turn the radar detector off and on separately all the time.

[nismoracer65789]

Originally Posted by E36 Phantom

I wish mine was that way.....the front cig lighter should work at any time. I wish it would go off with the key out of the ignition so I don't have to turn the radar detector off and on separately all the time.

You should hardwire it

[Steve92E34]

mine charges with the key out

[dansgt]

Mines active all the time too

[E36 Phantom]

Originally Posted by Tristan8712

Hi, I did a bit of googling and couldn't find anything of use on this subject. How would I go about changing the cigarette lighter config so it is active when the key position is on accessories?

I have to wait anywhere up to 4 hours in my car sometimes, and would like to be able to at least have my iPhone charging and playing music through my FM transmitter without wasting all my fuel.

Wait, just realized this - you can just put it in RUN with the car off and everything should work exactly as they do when the car is on. What's the problem here? You don't have to keep the car on....

Originally Posted by nismoracer65789

You should hardwire it

I'm going to, just haven't had the time. I liked that the Jag would turn it off when I turned the car off.

[sfgearhead]

Originally Posted by E36 Phantom

Wait, just realized this - you can just put it in RUN with the car off and everything should work exactly as they do when the car is on. What's the problem here? You don't have to keep the car on....

Don't do that, leaving it in run will kill the battery pretty quickly.

OP: If yours doesn't work in ACC you need to rewire it so it taps into something that's hot in ACC, or even tap into the back of the ignition switch.

Another option would be to wire in a second plug (in the back of console, or in the glovebox) that is hot in ACC, then you have a choice. Option 2 is probably about the same amount of work, with more benefits.

[Steve92E34]

Originally Posted by sfgearhead

Don't do that, leaving it in run will kill the battery pretty quickly.

OP: If yours doesn't work in ACC you need to rewire it so it taps into something that's hot in ACC, or even tap into the back of the ignition switch.

Another option would be to wire in a second plug (in the back of console, or in the glovebox) that is hot in ACC, then you have a choice. Option 2 is probably about the same amount of work, with more benefits.

shameless plug but i dont want this on my desk anymore
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1334600
i have the lighter for it too.

[Miche]

I have a question for you; Do you live in your car? I know no one that would even bother to wait fo(u)r hours just to have the cig lighter turned on. That's just nuts!




And to topic, my cig lighter is on always too, the front one that is, and the one in i've wired in the glove box is on all the time as so is also the one i got in the hatch area.
My rear (at the back seat) cigg lighter is wired so it is on when ignition is on and off when ignition is off.

[attack eagle]

IIRC around 93-94 was when they changed (in the US) to ignition activated instead of constant on lighters. thus the disparate experience.

[530 i]

Tristan, I had a look in the Supplementary Owners manual - Australian Version and the cigar lighter can be used in the position 2 only (ignition switched on). It must be for compliance to the Aust. Design Rules, a local regulation that manufacturers have to comply to, just like installation of child restraint anchor points in the rear parcel shelf, among other things.

I think the solution offered by sfgearhead will do you and it will be fairly easy to get an ACC feed or a hot at all times feed for the lighter, just remember to protect the circuit with the correct fuse rating.

[Tristan8712]

Thanks for your replies, everyone. I guess I'll tear everything to bits and modify it after I've spent all my money on having my suspension fixed <_<.

[Herb]

AE - My '95 has power with out the keys, air'd up my tires today with a plug in pump and no keys.

[E36 Phantom]

Originally Posted by sfgearhead

Don't do that, leaving it in run will kill the battery pretty quickly.

If you have the HVAC system off, it shouldn't kill it too fast unless your battery is in poor shape.

Originally Posted by attack eagle

IIRC around 93-94 was when they changed (in the US) to ignition activated instead of constant on lighters. thus the disparate experience.

You sure about that?

Mine's a 03/94 build and is always hot, and my 1998 540i/6 was also always on, as was my 94 E36.

[dhcomp]

95 540i/6 cig lighter is always hot.

[E36 Phantom]

Originally Posted by dhcomp

95 540i/6 cig lighter is always hot.

Whoa......Fremont? Sup neighbor!

[dhcomp]

Haha, really. I live in davis now, but my parents are still in fremont.

I'd bring the bmw by while i'm in town, but drove the sububan down this time