Cigarette lighter / charger doesn't work on new X5

X5 M50i '21 · 11-08-2020, 10:07 AM

Just picked up my X5 on Friday and went to plug-in a new Escort radar and it so doesn't get any power. Tried a usb cigarette charger too and no luck. Any settings to check before she has to go back to dealer?

Paladin1 · 11-08-2020, 10:33 AM

Sounds like a fuse....

denaliman · 11-08-2020, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5 M50i '21

Just picked up my X5 on Friday and went to plug-in a new Escort radar and it so doesn't get any power. Tried a usb cigarette charger too and no luck. Any settings to check before she has to go back to dealer?

The new sockets are deeper. The end of your connector is not making contact. You may need to add a bit of solder to the tip of your cigarette charger so it makes contact.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...lighter+socket

jad03060 · 11-08-2020, 10:46 AM

I don't know why, maybe it's a European versus US thing, but there are two specs for those plugs. Depending on how tightly designed, they aren't always interchangeable. IF they're loose enough, a plug can work in either, but if you have one of the smaller specs and try to put a plug from the larger spec into it, it's too tight and won't make contact.

Making the center contact longer can help, sanding, filing or cutting the body near the top of the plug so it can get deeper can help.

LexxM3 · 11-08-2020, 10:52 AM

This is a well known (and annoying) problem. The issue is that there are multiple mechanical "standard" specifications for the 12V socket and there is a mechanical incompatibility with some/many plugs not reaching the +ve terminal at the bottom of the socket due to the misfit. People (including me) have literally had to shave down plugs. Read these threads:

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1557458

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1689759

mitch57 · 11-08-2020, 02:16 PM

Here you go. There's an SIB on this issue. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...79818-9999.pdf.

jad03060 · 11-08-2020, 03:02 PM

You could probably achieve the same end result by removing the screw and putting a washer underneath. My guess is that the new screw has a slightly taller head.

Echoryan · 11-22-2020, 09:40 AM

I am having the same problem.How did you solve it. Thanks
Steve

Atlanta-I-285 · 11-22-2020, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echoryan

I am having the same problem.How did you solve it. Thanks
Steve

I had the same issue and once I read here that is was common, and probably not a fuse as I gathered, I had the confidence to push the charger in further and it works perfect now. The same charger that I used in a 2016 x5 without issue was simply not working when pushed in to the normal level where you would stop pushing it. But leaning in a little more did the trick for me. It may not work with every charger but it may work with more than it would seem since who wouldn't be a little timid jamming a charger into a new car? But it isn't damaging it just is a but past where I thought at should plug it in, for me at least. Good luck!

LexxM3 · 11-22-2020, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echoryan

I am having the same problem.How did you solve it. Thanks
Steve

All the details you need two and three posts above yours in this very thread

: https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26886929

mitch57 · 11-22-2020, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitch57

Here you go. There's an SIB on this issue. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...79818-9999.pdf.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echoryan

I am having the same problem.How did you solve it. Thanks
Steve

You just need to read the thread. Your dealer will fix it for free under warranty.

weingee · 05-09-2022, 03:42 AM

Hi, I am in Malaysia and just collected my G05, having issues where all the 12V outlets are not working

Marty in NY · 05-09-2022, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weingee

Hi, I am in Malaysia and just collected my G05, having issues where all the 12V outlets are not working

How do you know none of them are working? Have you checked them with a volt meter? Are you sure you aren't experiencing the same issue as LexxM3 pointed out in thread 5?

jad03060 · 05-09-2022, 03:26 PM

The SIB mentioned above has been superseded with an updated one. Now, they replace the socket with a newer design if you have issues.

You could try the old fix if you don't want to go to the dealer to get it resolved...you need to buy a screw with a taller head and replace that (called out in the SIB). If you don't do it right, the socket will come apart, and you have to remove the whole thing to put it back together rather than just replacing the screw after pulling the fuse.

There are two different specifications on 12vdc sockets. The diameters are slightly different, and some plugs are designed for those, and don't fit fully in so the center connector can connect to the +12vdc terminal centered at the bottom of the socket. Technically, there are 12vdc accessory sockets and 12vdc cigarette sockets, and they're not identical. The BMW uses 12vdc accessory sockets.

jiggie · 05-09-2022, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weingee

Hi, I am in Malaysia and just collected my G05, having issues where all the 12V outlets are not working

You're probably running into the same issue I did as well, where the device you're plugging in doesn't align well. I thought my 12V was bad as well, but I tried a different 12V charger and it works great.

Xccelerate · 08-11-2023, 11:31 AM

My 25 x5m same issue, though was at dealer so i assumed they did this. very frustrating any ideas on resolve?

jad03060 · 08-11-2023, 04:05 PM

BMW installs 12vdc accessory sockets (and are listed as such in the manual)...not 12vdc cigarette sockets...they are slightly different. If the device has a plug on it designed for a cigarette socket, it tends to be slightly larger in diameter, an/or may flare out at the top, so the center contact won't make contact with the terminal at the bottom. BMW will swap it if you ask. Anything with an accessory plug on it should fit. Some with a cigarette plug might, but certainly not all.

Marty in NY · 08-11-2023, 05:00 PM

Many, most or all of us had/have the same issue. Instead of having BMW replace the sockets with ones that fit my aging 12v adapters, I bought new 12v adapters that are up to date, more powerful and give me both USB-A & C connections. They work great in all the sockets in the car.

The one I bought is now discontinued on Amazon but if you follow the link and scroll down a bit you'll see a ton of others. To me this was a better solution as I didn't want BMW taking my car apart and I now have updated more powerful adapters.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

.

swainbmw · 08-11-2023, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5 M50i '21

Just picked up my X5 on Friday and went to plug-in a new Escort radar and it so doesn't get any power. Tried a usb cigarette charger too and no luck. Any settings to check before she has to go back to dealer?

The radar detectors won’t work and the lighters anymore. You have to order a USB plug that looks like a cigarette lighter.

swainbmw · 08-11-2023, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5 M50i '21

Just picked up my X5 on Friday and went to plug-in a new Escort radar and it so doesn't get any power. Tried a usb cigarette charger too and no luck. Any settings to check before she has to go back to dealer?

Order this it solves the problem Amazon

jad03060 · 08-11-2023, 11:02 PM

FWIW, it takes a BMW tech about 15-minutes to swap the socket and most of that time is doing the paperwork...it's an easy swap.

11-08-2020, 10:07 AM	#1
X5 M50i '21 Private 27 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 M50i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Cigarette lighter / charger doesn't work on new X5 Just picked up my X5 on Friday and went to plug-in a new Escort radar and it so doesn't get any power. Tried a usb cigarette charger too and no luck. Any settings to check before she has to go back to dealer?
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11-08-2020, 10:33 AM	#2
Paladin1 Brigadier General 5556 Rep 4,504 Posts Drives: 2022 iX xDrive50, DGM Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 iX xDrive M60 [0.00] 2022 iX xDrive50 [10.00]	Sounds like a fuse....
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11-08-2020, 10:46 AM	#4
jad03060 Major General 3166 Rep 6,806 Posts Drives: X5 45e Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	I don't know why, maybe it's a European versus US thing, but there are two specs for those plugs. Depending on how tightly designed, they aren't always interchangeable. IF they're loose enough, a plug can work in either, but if you have one of the smaller specs and try to put a plug from the larger spec into it, it's too tight and won't make contact. Making the center contact longer can help, sanding, filing or cutting the body near the top of the plug so it can get deeper can help.
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11-08-2020, 10:52 AM	#5
LexxM3 Colonel 1699 Rep 2,609 Posts Drives: E46M3, G05X5 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Waterloo, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 X5 [0.00]	This is a well known (and annoying) problem. The issue is that there are multiple mechanical "standard" specifications for the 12V socket and there is a mechanical incompatibility with some/many plugs not reaching the +ve terminal at the bottom of the socket due to the misfit. People (including me) have literally had to shave down plugs. Read these threads: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1557458 https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1689759 __________________ G05 X5 x40i (04/2019 mfg, Canada) on S18A-19-11-540
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11-08-2020, 02:16 PM	#6
mitch57 Lieutenant Colonel 805 Rep 1,790 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW X7 xDrive40i Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Pacific Northwest iTrader: (0)	Here you go. There's an SIB on this issue. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...79818-9999.pdf.
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11-08-2020, 03:02 PM	#7
jad03060 Major General 3166 Rep 6,806 Posts Drives: X5 45e Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	You could probably achieve the same end result by removing the screw and putting a washer underneath. My guess is that the new screw has a slightly taller head.
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11-22-2020, 09:40 AM	#8
Echoryan Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW x5 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Escort Radar detector will not power up I am having the same problem.How did you solve it. Thanks Steve
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05-09-2022, 03:42 AM	#12
weingee Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW x5 G05 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Johor iTrader: (0)	all 12V cigarette outlets no functions Hi, I am in Malaysia and just collected my G05, having issues where all the 12V outlets are not working
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05-09-2022, 03:26 PM	#14
jad03060 Major General 3166 Rep 6,806 Posts Drives: X5 45e Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	The SIB mentioned above has been superseded with an updated one. Now, they replace the socket with a newer design if you have issues. You could try the old fix if you don't want to go to the dealer to get it resolved...you need to buy a screw with a taller head and replace that (called out in the SIB). If you don't do it right, the socket will come apart, and you have to remove the whole thing to put it back together rather than just replacing the screw after pulling the fuse. There are two different specifications on 12vdc sockets. The diameters are slightly different, and some plugs are designed for those, and don't fit fully in so the center connector can connect to the +12vdc terminal centered at the bottom of the socket. Technically, there are 12vdc accessory sockets and 12vdc cigarette sockets, and they're not identical. The BMW uses 12vdc accessory sockets.
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08-11-2023, 11:31 AM	#16
Xccelerate Back in a BMW 286 Rep 383 Posts Drives: 21 X5M Comp Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	My 25 x5m same issue, though was at dealer so i assumed they did this. very frustrating any ideas on resolve? __________________ 21' Donington on Black X5M \| Comp \| Exec 11' 1M Coupe Valencia 6MT OEM+ 289 of 740
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08-11-2023, 04:05 PM	#17
jad03060 Major General 3166 Rep 6,806 Posts Drives: X5 45e Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	BMW installs 12vdc accessory sockets (and are listed as such in the manual)...not 12vdc cigarette sockets...they are slightly different. If the device has a plug on it designed for a cigarette socket, it tends to be slightly larger in diameter, an/or may flare out at the top, so the center contact won't make contact with the terminal at the bottom. BMW will swap it if you ask. Anything with an accessory plug on it should fit. Some with a cigarette plug might, but certainly not all.
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08-11-2023, 05:00 PM	#18
Marty in NY Brigadier General 2723 Rep 4,337 Posts Drives: 21 X5 40i, 18 GTi, Snowblower Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Many, most or all of us had/have the same issue. Instead of having BMW replace the sockets with ones that fit my aging 12v adapters, I bought new 12v adapters that are up to date, more powerful and give me both USB-A & C connections. They work great in all the sockets in the car. The one I bought is now discontinued on Amazon but if you follow the link and scroll down a bit you'll see a ton of others. To me this was a better solution as I didn't want BMW taking my car apart and I now have updated more powerful adapters. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . Attached Images
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08-11-2023, 11:02 PM	#21
jad03060 Major General 3166 Rep 6,806 Posts Drives: X5 45e Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	FWIW, it takes a BMW tech about 15-minutes to swap the socket and most of that time is doing the paperwork...it's an easy swap.
	Appreciate 0 Quote