In for a pre NCT check and service, the owner of this Yaris also asked me to have a look at the cigarette lighter, which she said was not working.

Like most cigarette lighters in vehicles, the one in this 2008 Toyota Yaris TR D-D was never used for lighting a cigarette. The power outlet was used extensively to charge a mobile phone and to power various other accessories.

My first reaction was to check the fuse to ensure this had not blown, as it is very common for the pushing in of the adaptor to be the source of the problems. A slight misalignment as the adapter is put into place, can easily blow the fuse. This is something I regularly come across.

The 15-amp fuse for the lighter circuit was in good condition, so the next step was to plug in my own test light to check the connection. The light illuminated proving that the outlet was all in good order. The mystery was solved when I inspected the owner’s adaptor that was being used. This had collapsed, and was in fact the source of the trouble.

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