How To Test Your Car's Cigarette Lighter or Accessory Socket

By Matthew Wright, About.com Guide

Your cell phone won't charge. Your GPS won't power up. You can't fire up that weekend stogey. What's going on? Is your phone charger on the fritz? A quick test of your car's cigarette lighter or 12V accessory socket can rule out the power source as the culprit.

It's easy to test the lighter or accessory socket in your car or truck. All you need is a simple circuit tester to see what the story is. Place or attach the clip end of your test light to the outer frame of the socket. You can just hold it there if it won't clip on. Then take the long pointed end of the tester and stick it all the way into the socket until it touches the back. Try not to touch the sides of the socket with the probe since it will blow a fuse. If the tester lights up, you've got juice! Be sure to try it with the ignition in the "on" position since most 12-volt accessory plugs are switched on and off with the car. If you get no light, it's probably the fuse. Replace the fuse and you're good to go.