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      01-27-2020, 08:15 PM   #1
CiprianS
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12V front and back sockets not working

Are your sockets from the front and back working? I tried to use my tire compressor in them but they were not working. When I tried the one from the trunk, that one was working. The dealer's explanation was that I need an adaptor since the sockets are deeper and are designed specially for the cigarette lighter. I find it hard to believe that is why I am checking with you here.
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      01-27-2020, 08:21 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CiprianS View Post
Are your sockets from the front and back working? I tried to use my tire compressor in them but they were not working. When I tried the one from the trunk, that one was working. The dealer's explanation was that I need an adaptor since the sockets are deeper and are designed specially for the cigarette lighter. I find it hard to believe that is why I am checking with you here.
There were a couple of threads a number of months ago about this, yes it was found that they are deeper than the "norm" and people were modifying their power adapters to make them a bit longer if I remember correctly. Some added solder to the positive tip at the end of the plug and others bought the BMW branded adapters and I think some one found longer ones on Amazon. Maybe someone will chime in with what they did to resolve it.
Also know that the 12 volts sockets will auto shut off after a few minutes once the car has been turned off.
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      01-27-2020, 08:21 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CiprianS View Post
Are your sockets from the front and back working? I tried to use my tire compressor in them but they were not working. When I tried the one from the trunk, that one was working. The dealer's explanation was that I need an adaptor since the sockets are deeper and are designed specially for the cigarette lighter. I find it hard to believe that is why I am checking with you here.
Yes. There is a thread on this. Some cig lighter plugs do not go in far enough. Some people have been putting a blob of solder onto the pin on the plug so they fit.
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      01-27-2020, 08:25 PM   #4
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I guess this is just a US problem, because I was talking to someone today from Europe and he was telling me that he has no issue with his. On my ex car there were no issues with the front ones...why does BMW do this?
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      01-27-2020, 08:43 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marty in Bgm View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by CiprianS View Post
Are your sockets from the front and back working? I tried to use my tire compressor in them but they were not working. When I tried the one from the trunk, that one was working. The dealer's explanation was that I need an adaptor since the sockets are deeper and are designed specially for the cigarette lighter. I find it hard to believe that is why I am checking with you here.
There were a couple of threads a number of months ago about this, yes it was found that they are deeper than the "norm" and people were modifying their power adapters to make them a bit longer if I remember correctly. Some added solder to the positive tip at the end of the plug and others bought the BMW branded adapters and I think some one found longer ones on Amazon. Maybe someone will chime in with what they did to resolve it.
Also know that the 12 volts sockets will auto shut off after a few minutes once the car has been turned off.
I "sharpened" one of my adapters — made the plastic a bit thinner near the bottom contact with a blade. Ugly (if taken out), but functional. Other adapters fit and work fine. :
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      01-27-2020, 08:46 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CiprianS View Post
I guess this is just a US problem, because I was talking to someone today from Europe and he was telling me that he has no issue with his. On my ex car there were no issues with the front ones...why does BMW do this?
How do we know that his plugs aren't longer than our "normal" ones? I never knew there was more than one length. I have used the same 12v plug on several of my BMW's and American cars without issue. I really wonder if anyone has actually measured the depth of the X5 12v sockets and compared that to say a Ford, Chevy, Audi, etc. I mean could it be a few brands of plugs made in China that are short???? I think we need root cause and I don't have a G05.
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      01-27-2020, 09:00 PM   #7
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Well, this is what Wikipedia says: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto...y_power_outlet

Quote:
12-volt cigarette lighter receptacle and plug, size A:
  • Receptacle inside diameter: 20.93–21.01 mm (median 20.97 mm)
  • Plug body diameter: 20.73–20.88 mm (median 20.805 mm)
  • Most often used in American automobiles
versus

Quote:
12-volt cigarette lighter receptacle and plug, size B:
  • Receptacle inside diameter: 21.41–21.51 mm (median 21.455 mm)
  • Plug body diameter: 21.13–21.33 mm (median 21.18 mm)
  • Most often used in European automobiles, and sometimes as a second socket in American automobiles expressly for DC power connections.
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      01-28-2020, 12:44 AM   #8
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I had some eBay purchased plugs that did not fit (too short). I simply replaced them with some more but longer eBay plugs....
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      01-28-2020, 08:26 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LexxM3 View Post
Well, this is what Wikipedia says: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto...y_power_outletversus
So its a diameter issue more than a depth issue. The depth is a victim of the diameter, interesting. They are so close to one another, why must there be two diff sizes???

This plays havoc when ordering plugs nowadays since we order just about everything on line. The X5 is a European designed car built in America and the plug we probably use that's attached to our TomTom's, phone chargers, etc comes out of China. I just looked up about a dozen plugs and receptacles on Amazon, none had any dimensions pertaining to this topic. We're doomed!
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      10-16-2020, 09:02 AM   #10
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Now I ran to this problem, too. OEM BMW chargers, front and back that worked flawlessly a few weeks ago have now stopped working, front and back.

Has anyone here confirmed issues with the fuse(s), or can this be a software related problem? The car got an update a month or so ago at the dealer, I can not recall whether the sockets have been working after this.
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      11-01-2021, 01:39 PM   #11
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I have same problem in my 2020 M50D. I bought Michelin tyre pump and works no problem in the boot socket, but no power in front or middle one. I pushed it hard and gave it few turns in the front one and it does work sometimes but connection can be easily lost. Ended up buying an extension 12V cable and I'm using the boot socket.
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      11-20-2021, 06:08 PM   #12
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There is a fix for this, I found a service bulletin from BMW a while back. The solution is to change the screw from the bottom of the socket with a longer one and that's it, done deal, it will work. Search for it, because I found it online and I have that file in front of me right now... it's an old one from October 21, 2020. The name of the file is "SIB 61 01 20". just google that with "BMW" in front of it and you will find it.
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      11-20-2021, 07:03 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CiprianS View Post
There is a fix for this, I found a service bulletin from BMW a while back. The solution is to change the screw from the bottom of the socket with a longer one and that's it, done deal, it will work. Search for it, because I found it online and I have that file in front of me right now... it's an old one from October 21, 2020. The name of the file is "SIB 61 01 20". just google that with "BMW" in front of it and you will find it.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...79818-9999.pdf
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      11-20-2021, 07:14 PM   #14
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Thank you... even better.
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      01-26-2022, 10:55 PM   #15
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Quote:
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Thank you... even better.
Ciprian (or others) did you complete this process? If so, what size replacement bolt did you use? Thanks!
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      01-26-2022, 11:19 PM   #16
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BMW should do this for you for free if the vehicle is still under warranty, and may do it regardless, depending on the dealership.

I'll find out for sure next week, as I'm taking mine in for this and a couple of other little things to be addressed.
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      03-07-2022, 03:34 PM   #17
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FWIW, the original SIB referenced above is no longer applicable...there was a new one that was issued near the end of last year and it has them replacing the 12vdc socket with a redesigned one instead of changing the center screw/contact.
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      03-07-2022, 05:16 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by jad03060 View Post
BMW should do this for you for free if the vehicle is still under warranty, and may do it regardless, depending on the dealership.

I'll find out for sure next week, as I'm taking mine in for this and a couple of other little things to be addressed.
FYI BMW made the repair.
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