Cigarette Lighter

[boss2k]

I found out that the cigarette lighter does not have power unless the engine is started. Unlike in older cars you can send power by just turning the ignition key to 1 switch ( before starting the car)

Is that possible in the BMW. I have an air compressor which i run through the lighter and do not want to keep the car running while i fill up air in the wheels.


I found out that the cigarette lighter does not have power unless the engine is started. Unlike in older cars you can send power by just turning the ignition key to 1 switch ( before starting the car)

Is that possible in the BMW. I have an air compressor which i run through the lighter and do not want to keep the car running while i fill up air in the wheels.


Ok so i have a 09 coupe and there is no cigarette lighter on the front console, is the one on the center arm rest next to the aux connectors is the cig lighter socket?

[dhayes09]

I agree, this does suck. I use the center consol cigarette lighter to power my Sirius Stiletto Radio (non bmw sirius radio). When I arrive to work early i like to listen to Howard Stern for a few minutes but have to leave the engine on to get power to the sirius unit in order to listen. Not sure or havent figured out if there is a way around this.

[boss2k]

I agree, this does suck. I use the center consol cigarette lighter to power my Sirius Stiletto Radio (non bmw sirius radio). When I arrive to work early i like to listen to Howard Stern for a few minutes but have to leave the engine on to get power to the sirius unit in order to listen. Not sure or havent figured out if there is a way around this.


But the manual says that it will get power even if the engine is not on but the remote tucked in

So we have only i outlet for cigarette lighter which is in the center console.

[mryakan]

I found out that the cigarette lighter does not have power unless the engine is started. Unlike in older cars you can send power by just turning the ignition key to 1 switch ( before starting the car)

You can do that too on the e9x. I always use a hand vacuum to clean the car and I just attach it to the cig lighter socket and switch the ignition to the right position (press it twice without depressing the clutch/brakes).

[dhayes09]

You can do that too on the e9x. I always use a hand vacuum to clean the car and I just attach it to the cig lighter socket and switch the ignition to the right position (press it twice without depressing the clutch/brakes).

Thank you, that did it. Press the start/stop button twice without pressing on the break pedal.

[boss2k]

Thank you, that did it. Press the start/stop button twice without pressing on the break pedal.


Meaning press the start/stop button twice and if clutch is not depressed the car will not start. Is this how to do it

[mryakan]

Meaning press the start/stop button twice and if clutch is not depressed the car will not start. Is this how to do it
On a manual yes, on AT don't depress the brake pedal. It is referred to as accessory mode in BMW literature if I am not mistaken.

[boss2k]

Another question my car does not have the cigarette lighter in the front panel , just have it only in the center console, is it because i have Navi. I have been seeing pics of 335 coupe and all of them have it on the front panel with or without navi .. is there a design change for the 09 coupes.

If i want to attach a radar detector and power it up , how do i do it as the power outlet is only in the center console

[Takashi]

Another question my car does not have the cigarette lighter in the front panel , just have it only in the center console, is it because i have Navi. I have been seeing pics of 335 coupe and all of them have it on the front panel with or without navi .. is there a design change for the 09 coupes.

If i want to attach a radar detector and power it up , how do i do it as the power outlet is only in the center console

Look in the panel under the glove box to see if you have a 12V socket there.

BMW have been doing some cost cutting measures and the 12V cig. lighter is one of it.

[drgonzal]

Another question my car does not have the cigarette lighter in the front panel , just have it only in the center console, is it because i have Navi. I have been seeing pics of 335 coupe and all of them have it on the front panel with or without navi .. is there a design change for the 09 coupes.

If i want to attach a radar detector and power it up , how do i do it as the power outlet is only in the center console

That has to be a new design and/or cost cutting. I have the Navi and I also have a lighter just beneath the radio that I use for my V1.

[monacoblue335xi]

I don"t have Nav and I don't have the ash tray with lighter. It's just an empty bin. The power port in the center console is useless to me because I can't close the top with anything plugged into it. Therefore, you now have lost your armrest. I eventually found the one under the dash near the glove compartment. At least that works for me. Good thing I'm not a smoker. I would have been disappointed that my ash tray and cig lighter weren't there when it's specifically shown in the users manual. Even in the manual on the BMW web site, which should be the most current. Still some mistakes in that user guide.

[CHCcubs]

For the 09's they seemed to have removed the cigarette lighter/ashtray part way through the year. Some 09's have it (like mine), while others do not.

[monacoblue335xi]

Too bad because I'd rather have it than have an empty bin. At least with the ash tray and the cover closed you have a more "finished" look to that area. It might even be wood trim covered making a really nice finished look. And the 12V is more easily accessible. Looks like I waited too long in 2009 to get my car.:(

[boss2k]

On a manual yes, on AT don't depress the brake pedal. It is referred to as accessory mode in BMW literature if I am not mistaken.

Mryakan

I tried by pressing start button twice without depressing the clutch and did not get power in the cigarette outlet , however got power for the radio , what am i missing ?

[mryakan]

Mryakan

I tried by pressing start button twice without depressing the clutch and did not get power in the cigarette outlet , however got power for the radio , what am i missing ?
Check your fuses maybe! I can verify this later today to see if the cig lighter adapter is activated this way.

[boss2k]

Check your fuses maybe! I can verify this later today to see if the cig lighter adapter is activated this way.

Fuses are fine because these points work when the car is started.

[mryakan]

Ok, I tried it out and it works as I said, but I think I know what you may be doing. You are probably doing this after you shut the car off. This means the 1st press button afte the one that shuts the engine off actually shuts off the radio and accessories. So then you have to press twice for a total of 3 presses after the one shutting off the car.
In short, try one more press.

To illustrate, here is a video. I had just shut the engine off. The 1st button press after that as you see shuts off the radio. The 2nd turns the radio back on. The 3rd turn all accessories on including the A/C and if you can see in the end, the GPS adapter plugged into the lighter sockets lights green:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Dm6C8ZH3M

[boss2k]

Ok, I tried it out and it works as I said, but I think I know what you may be doing. You are probably doing this after you shut the car off. This means the 1st press button afte the one that shuts the engine off actually shuts off the radio and accessories. So then you have to press twice for a total of 3 presses after the one shutting off the car.
In short, try one more press.

To illustrate, here is a video. I had just shut the engine off. The 1st button press after that as you see shuts off the radio. The 2nd turns the radio back on. The 3rd turn all accessories on including the A/C and if you can see in the end, the GPS adapter plugged into the lighter sockets lights green:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Dm6C8ZH3M


Thank you for the detailed explanation, i will try and let you know. Actually when i tried over the weekend i did not start the car and the engine was off , all i did was insert the key fob and press the start/stop button twice , i think i have to do it 3 times as you mention