Cigarette lighter plug issue

yvnrg1981 · 11-20-2018, 04:11 PM

Anyone try to plug something into it, like a radar detector? I tried both the front receptacle and the one under the climate controls in the rear and both wont hold any adapter deep enough for the pin to reach the base. If I press is down it works, the second I let go it gets pushed out a few mm and looses contact. The one in the trunk works no problem.

maze446 · 11-20-2018, 04:24 PM

Same for me.

drpeters · 12-23-2018, 05:48 PM

Same here, doesn't make sense to me. The lighter gets hot but anything else I plug in does not get any power.

cygnusecks · 12-23-2018, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drpeters

Same here, doesn't make sense to me. The lighter gets hot but anything else I plug in does not get any power.

Same. Multiple El cheapo USB chargers fail to get power from the outlets. Is it really a depth issue? Or some proprietary design that prevents "standard" devices from working?

Doc5513 · 12-23-2018, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cygnusecks

Quote:

Originally Posted by drpeters

Same here, doesn't make sense to me. The lighter gets hot but anything else I plug in does not get any power.

Same. Multiple El cheapo USB chargers fail to get power from the outlets. Is it really a depth issue? Or some proprietary design that prevents "standard" devices from working?

Not good. The ones in my F15 hold onto plugs like a rabid badger.

ERDRFF · 12-23-2018, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvnrg1981

Anyone try to plug something into it, like a radar detector? I tried both the front receptacle and the one under the climate controls in the rear and both wont hold any adapter deep enough for the pin to reach the base. If I press is down it works, the second I let go it gets pushed out a few mm and looses contact. The one in the trunk works no problem.

Same here. What's the fix?

Xeno · 12-23-2018, 06:41 PM

I have a BMW charger that should work in all the plugs, but in terms of RDs the front plugs with my Uniden R3, but not my V1 (now hardwired) or Escort 360.

nyfinest25 · 12-23-2018, 06:47 PM

I have the same issue. My car is in the shop and I told them about it so let's see.

MysticBlue · 12-23-2018, 07:00 PM

There are two sizes. Size A and Size B. The US has a standard, Europe doesn't. The two sizes are very close to each other, so much so that there isn't any obvious difference between the two, but resulting in sloppy fit or a very tight fit. I don't remember which is which, as it's been many years since I tried using one. BMW's (and a couple other European manufacturers) have always been just a little difficult to make their plugs fit right. I always hardwire my radar detectors into my cars.

lumpydog · 12-23-2018, 07:11 PM

Yup - I've experienced the same. I have two plugs that work and one that does not. Look at them for yourself and guess which one does not work...

JayPichardo · 12-23-2018, 07:25 PM

I know that the BMW adapter fits just fine, not sure about others.

cygnusecks · 12-23-2018, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumpydog

Yup - I've experienced the same. I have two plugs that work and one that does not. Look at them for yourself and guess which one does not work...

The one with the shorter shaft? On the right? If so then a) size does matter and b) I have a fix in mind that I'll try tomorrow

lumpydog · 12-23-2018, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cygnusecks

The one with the shorter shaft? On the right? If so then a) size does matter and b) I have a fix in mind that I'll try tomorrow

Bingo.

Yes Jay - the BMW one works great. Middle one too. Right one - can't get it in enough to make contact - at all. That's the first socket that charger hasn't worked in and it's traveled with me for years. Weird.

cygnusecks · 12-23-2018, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumpydog

Quote:

Originally Posted by cygnusecks

The one with the shorter shaft? On the right? If so then a) size does matter and b) I have a fix in mind that I'll try tomorrow

Bingo.

Yes Jay - the BMW one works great. Middle one too. Right one - can't get it in enough to make contact - at all. First socket that charger hasn't worked in and it's traveled with me for years. Weird.

Soo many jokes forming in my juvenile brain...

lumpydog · 12-23-2018, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cygnusecks

Soo many jokes forming in my juvenile brain...

I have been resisting - trying not to blow up the thread.

Espejo · 12-24-2018, 06:55 AM

I have the wireless charging tray but as a backup, when my wife is with me, I ordered a USB-C cable to use with her Samsung. I figured it was power supply for behind the front 2 seats so perhaps it will provide power in the center console as well. The cigarette lighter one I have seems to work but it is not secure enough to maintain the contacts. In my previous BMW the cigarette lighter cable would light up when working in the X5 nothing.

salfeet84 · 12-24-2018, 07:35 AM

Here's an easy solution, I bought this on amazon, since my escort didn't work in the original plug...works like a charm.

Xeno · 12-24-2018, 07:45 AM

I have an older version of this device that I need to locate.

Xeno · 12-24-2018, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Espejo

I have the wireless charging tray but as a backup, when my wife is with me, I ordered a USB-C cable to use with her Samsung. I figured it was power supply for behind the front 2 seats so perhaps it will provide power in the center console as well. The cigarette lighter one I have seems to work but it is not secure enough to maintain the contacts. In my previous BMW the cigarette lighter cable would light up when working in the X5 nothing.

Of course, there are USB-C ports in the front tray and console.

When I saw that USB-C cables came with my iPad Pro3, I was frustrated about another new set of cables (esp after having to buy new cables in Macau after leaving a set in a Taipei airport lounge). Now, I at least get multiple uses of all these new cables I had to purchase.

drpeters · 12-25-2018, 12:04 AM

odd to me that things worked in cigarette plugs in my 2016 x5, but not now. Why would they change a universal plug?

yvnrg1981 · 12-25-2018, 07:52 PM

What's the worst thing that can happen other than fuse blowing if I put a little piece of aluminum foil in there? This way the tip of the plug stays in contact with the base of the lighter socket? I just don't have the time to go in for appointment to have this looked at right now. Just can't live with my max 360.

lumpydog · 12-25-2018, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvnrg1981

This way the tip of the plug stays in contact with the base of the lighter socket

Pretty much the answer to what needs to be solved for. Tip/contact just needs to be extended per my earlier pics.

11-20-2018, 04:11 PM	#1
yvnrg1981 Second Lieutenant 101 Rep 238 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Manalapan, NJ iTrader: (0)	Cigarette lighter plug issue Anyone try to plug something into it, like a radar detector? I tried both the front receptacle and the one under the climate controls in the rear and both wont hold any adapter deep enough for the pin to reach the base. If I press is down it works, the second I let go it gets pushed out a few mm and looses contact. The one in the trunk works no problem.
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11-20-2018, 04:24 PM	#2
maze446 Second Lieutenant 157 Rep 282 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 50i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Same for me.
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12-23-2018, 05:48 PM	#3
drpeters Private 36 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 2022 M8 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	Same here, doesn't make sense to me. The lighter gets hot but anything else I plug in does not get any power.
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12-23-2018, 06:41 PM	#7
Xeno Major 315 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 M Sport 5.0i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I have a BMW charger that should work in all the plugs, but in terms of RDs the front plugs with my Uniden R3, but not my V1 (now hardwired) or Escort 360. __________________ 2019 BMW X5 xDrive 50i M Sport: ZD8/ZLS/ZMP/ZP2/ZPK/ZPX/337/ZX7/2NH 2015 BMW X5 xDrive 50i/XL/CW/DA+/EP/LP/FVS retired; 2008 X5 4.8i; 2012 X5 5.0i retired, 2004 X5 4.4i retired R360c + EL, V1G2 + V1Driver, Uniden R8
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12-23-2018, 06:47 PM	#8
nyfinest25 Private 33 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I have the same issue. My car is in the shop and I told them about it so let's see.
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12-23-2018, 07:00 PM	#9
MysticBlue Lieutenant Colonel 369 Rep 1,887 Posts Drives: '20 M5C, '09 M3 DCT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon... They call 'em rigs here iTrader: (0)	There are two sizes. Size A and Size B. The US has a standard, Europe doesn't. The two sizes are very close to each other, so much so that there isn't any obvious difference between the two, but resulting in sloppy fit or a very tight fit. I don't remember which is which, as it's been many years since I tried using one. BMW's (and a couple other European manufacturers) have always been just a little difficult to make their plugs fit right. I always hardwire my radar detectors into my cars. __________________ M5C 20% tint, Xpel full front, partial sides and rear. Spacers, 15mm front, 12mm rear. Turner Motorsport Oil Cooler Guard. M3: Active Autowerke filter, Dinan underdrive pulley, Dinan full exhaust and software, 3.45 Differential, Springs, Brakes, Dinan/HRE wheels, 275/30-19 w/10mm spacer, 295/30-19 w/3mm spacer, painted front reflectors, 30% tint, Escort 8500i & Lidar Jammer, LUX H8 V5 halos, Euro rear foglights, 3M ClearBra.
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12-23-2018, 07:11 PM	#10
lumpydog Captain 691 Rep 978 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Yup - I've experienced the same. I have two plugs that work and one that does not. Look at them for yourself and guess which one does not work... Attached Images
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12-23-2018, 07:25 PM	#11
JayPichardo BMW Client Advisor 3452 Rep 2,504 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i Join Date: May 2017 Location: Tulley BMW Nashua, NH iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M340i [0.00]	I know that the BMW adapter fits just fine, not sure about others. __________________ Contact me for all your BMW needs in the New England area. jpichardo@tulley.com Top M Client Advisor in New England.
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12-24-2018, 06:55 AM	#16
Espejo Private First Class 35 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 2019 Alpine White X5 40i Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Houston, Texas iTrader: (0)	I have the wireless charging tray but as a backup, when my wife is with me, I ordered a USB-C cable to use with her Samsung. I figured it was power supply for behind the front 2 seats so perhaps it will provide power in the center console as well. The cigarette lighter one I have seems to work but it is not secure enough to maintain the contacts. In my previous BMW the cigarette lighter cable would light up when working in the X5 nothing.
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12-24-2018, 07:35 AM	#17
salfeet84 Lieutenant 309 Rep 579 Posts Drives: 2024 X7 M60i Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Here's an easy solution, I bought this on amazon, since my escort didn't work in the original plug...works like a charm. Attached Images
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12-24-2018, 07:45 AM	#18
Xeno Major 315 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 M Sport 5.0i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I have an older version of this device that I need to locate. __________________ 2019 BMW X5 xDrive 50i M Sport: ZD8/ZLS/ZMP/ZP2/ZPK/ZPX/337/ZX7/2NH 2015 BMW X5 xDrive 50i/XL/CW/DA+/EP/LP/FVS retired; 2008 X5 4.8i; 2012 X5 5.0i retired, 2004 X5 4.4i retired R360c + EL, V1G2 + V1Driver, Uniden R8
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12-25-2018, 12:04 AM	#20
drpeters Private 36 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 2022 M8 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	odd to me that things worked in cigarette plugs in my 2016 x5, but not now. Why would they change a universal plug?
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12-25-2018, 07:52 PM	#21
yvnrg1981 Second Lieutenant 101 Rep 238 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Manalapan, NJ iTrader: (0)	What's the worst thing that can happen other than fuse blowing if I put a little piece of aluminum foil in there? This way the tip of the plug stays in contact with the base of the lighter socket? I just don't have the time to go in for appointment to have this looked at right now. Just can't live with my max 360.
	Appreciate 0 Quote