dinan530xi

My Cigarette light sockets keep going out and I believe its the fuse. I JUST CHANGED THE FUSE YESTERDAY. I have to cigarette lighters in the back two slots and nothing (phone charger rarely and radar detector is broken atm) in the front socket. The fuse is a 20 AMP, but should I up it to 25 AMPS, possibly 30?

EDIT: I replaced the cigarette light fuse (#82 I believe) and they work now. This is the 4th time I have had this problem, plus my windshield wipers don't work (they go continuously without stopping[so I cant turn off] until they randomly stop anywhere on the windshield). I am starting to think this may be a bigger electrical problem and I cant go to the dealer for another week or two so what should I have them check?

turboawd

what's the car's history? and stereo modifications in the past?
it sounds like something got shorted.
i would not put in a bigger fuse than what it calls for. you're going to melt or burn something that way. obviously something is wrong to cause the fuse to blow multiple times.

e6t.lab.rat

NEVER EVER use a higher rated fuse than specified on the fuse box cover!

You risk some serious damage to your car, like potentially causing a fire in the wiring. Fuses not only protect a piece of equipment but more importantly protect the wires. They are designed to prevent your wires from overheating causing the insulation to melt and ultimately frying neighboring wire bundles which in turn affect other items in the car. Sure the equipment(s) would be easy to replace, but try replacing several hundred feet of wires in the car!!

Hope you're still under warranty. Have your dealer or an indy shop diagnose a bigger problem in your car. Good luck

bdn

my doesn't work either. i have a 07 530i. I can't seem to find the fuse location. Can you tell me where it is? #82? rear?

thanks

dinan530xi

In the rear above the battery (Right panel)

bdn

just fixed mine too! it's number 87 on the rear fuse box

schulrog

there's nothing wrong with using a slightly higher fuse if yours keeps burning out. if it's a 10 try throwing in a 15 and see how that works. The slight increase in fuse would have no impact on the wiring.

turboawd

he mentioned his fuse is burning out even with nothing connected to the cigarette lighter. he has a short somewhere, and putting a bigger fuse in is not the answer.

545felix

i don't know if they are all on the same fuse, but there is a lighter socket in the ashtray, two out at the rear of the center console, one under the glove box, and one in the trunk. I'd make sure all of them are clear of debris and/or fluids (do you have children that ride in the back? have you spilled any drinks up front? any rain get in your trunk?) if you've not done any mods to the car that's more likely than a wiring short, unless a tech left something disconnected during some other repair procedure.

Rudy

I strongly disagree with the above advice...

If a fuse keeps blowing, there's a reason for it (like a short). Going to a higher fuse will not solve the problem and could cause a larger problem (like a fire or something) and, to compound the problem further, it would very likely void the warranty if, in fact, something terrible happened...