The lighter on my 96 Camry has never been used. It doesn't work. Is it on a separate fuse? How would I test to see if it is getting current to it?

On the back side of the lighter there is a fusable link between the incoming power wire and the metal tab that connects power to the lighter. This is a very small wire, bent 90 degrees, between two tabs that are mounted on the same small screw. It looks like the incoming power tab and the power to the lighter would be connected, but they are insulated from each other on the screw. If the fusable link is blown, you will have power at the power connector on the back of the lighter, but no power to the center terminal inside the lighter.

This is more than likely a fuse issue. Just check the fuse that is for the cig lighter. It will likely control both

Hi,

I believe the first step is to be sure what the problem actually is by attaching your test light clip to ground and poking the pointy end at the center in the bottom of the socket where the lighter element plugs in. While the key is on you should have power and the test light will light up. If it doesn't light up use your test light to check the fuses, if you find any broken fuses replace them and check the lighter again. On my '89 camry the lighter didn't work and I had to remove the radio to find that the wire that goes to the back of the lighter had come disconnected. In your case I suspect that you will solve the problem by purchasing a new lighter element and/or replacing the fuse because it is very seldom that anything else goes wrong with the cig lighter.

Best regards.

First check your fuses using a test light. If all of the fuses are OK, the next step would be to take the test light and touch the center of the lighter socket to see if you have current. If you do touch the side of the lighter with the test light and the clip part of the test light on a hot connection, this way you can see if the ground is working. If the light lights the ground is good. If you had no current check to make sure wire is connected to the lighter. If the wire is coneccted and no current unplug the wire and check just the wire, if you have current then the connection or the lighter itself is bad. If you have no current at the wire you will have to find the break in the wire or run a new wire.

Check the fuse. 15 amp, labeled CIG in fuse box. the fuse box is like in front of the drivers left knee under the lower dash panel. The power outlet should be there also.

Fig. 5: Another fuse block is located in the drivers side knee bolster behind a coin box1994–96 models

Did you check fuses with a test light? If not try that first fuses can look good but still be blown. Also this will tell you if you are getting current to the fuses. If no current check fuse links and fuses under the hood. It Sounds like a no current problem. Let me know how you make out and if you are still stuck let me know the results and we will go from there. Good luck.

start with a test light and check for power at the center of the cigarette lighter socket. If power is good, then check for ground at side of lighter socket.
If no power, run wire from power wire of lighter to power wire of stereo, thus tapping the power directly and bothering to trace out where the open int he circuit may be.

To test if the cig lighter works buy a 12volt test light at radio shack and test the center of the cig lighter to see if you get power there.if you don't then there is a blown fuse somewhere check the fuses in the engine compartment?

CHECK ALL THE FUSES WITH A TEST LIGHT TO ISOLATE THE BAD FUSE, U MAY ALSO USE A FUSE TESTER