auxilliary power outlets

[R.E.]

Am I doing something wrong? I was trying to use my air pump the other day and couldn't get it to work using either of the power outlets.(one in the dash, one in the cargo compartment). It only worked when I used the cigarette lighter outlet, but you have to use the ignition key to supply power to that one. The other two are supposed to work without needing the key.
Has anyone else had a problem like this? Thanks

[crazie.eddie]

I never had a problem using the one on the dash, without a key. I haven't tried the one in the cargo compartment.

[gonzomania]

Check your fuses. I have a hands free cell phone/holder charger and that works with the key off. Rear cargo area I have to check on.

[CREWZIN]

quote:Originally posted by gonzomania

Check your fuses.

[MX-5]

All 3 power outlets and cigar lighter are on the same fuse.
If one works, the fuse is OK.

[CarolinaBlue_GT]

The only one that works w/o the car having to be on is the one in front, closest to the radio. The other two (the other front one near the change & cup holders, and the one in the rear) need to have the ignition turned on. I actually ran into the same thing w/my air pump, and I found it out in the Owner's Manual.

G'luck!

[gonzomania]

That's what I thought, checked this morning and was going to post. You may want to remove the cover in the rear cargo compartment and check this first to see if the wiring is still okay. That's the easiest one to get at.

[R.E.]

Thanks everyone. I went out and tried it again after reading your post CB-GT, but still no luck. The only one I can get to work is the one down by the cup holders. To make things worse, I tried it in my wife's 2000 Caravan and the rear cargo outlet doesn't work there either. I'm beginning to think maybe my air compressor has an odd fitting or something. Oh well, that'll give the dealer something to check out for me during my next oil/filter change. They've been getting off too easy anyway. I've had it just over a year and they haven't had to check anything yet.

[R.E.]

Gonz,
I'd checked the wiring in the cargo area the other day when I was first trying to get it to work. Everything looked OK there.

[tpscruiser]

R.E.
You may be on to something about the "odd fitting" on your compressor.
The outlet by the cup holders is the only one that will accept a lighter element and hold it until hot enough and then allow it to "pop" out. The other outlets only have contacts in them and may not make contact with the pulg on the end of your compressor cable.