Notices
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis Econolines. E150, E250, E350, E450 and E550

Lighter socket not working

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 12:07 PM
  #1  
mini1's Avatar
mini1
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Lighter socket not working

The upper 12v power port is working fine, but the lower lighter socket is not working. I'm assuming its a fuse issue. Where is the fuse and what number is it? Can put a heavier duty fuse in so this won't happen (I assume the last owner plugged in something that blew it)?

Also, is there a way to make them switched with the ignition? The power port is always on, which is no good for my auto on/off satellite radio and GPS.

98 E250 5.4 cargo
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 02:11 PM
  #2  
gfw1985's Avatar
gfw1985
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
No help, but never put in a heavier fuse than it calls for. It's made to protect your wiring.
 
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2011 | 09:48 PM
  #3  
mini1's Avatar
mini1
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Anyone know?
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2011 | 07:39 AM
  #4  
JWA's Avatar
JWA
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,254
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Might help onlookers if you simply identify the year and model of you van!!
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2011 | 07:53 AM
  #5  
Club Wagon's Avatar
Club Wagon
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 8
Better double check 1st.

Originally Posted by mini1
98 E250 5.4 cargo
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2011 | 08:20 AM
  #6  
JWA's Avatar
JWA
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,254
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
How about contributing something to the thread instead of interjecting something not helpful!
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2011 | 12:36 AM
  #7  
86scotty's Avatar
86scotty
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: the old home place
If this van is fairly new to you, or if you have any other electric options not working, i'd recommend getting under the dash with a flashlight and pulling all of them and visually checking them. Also, there is a 2nd fuse box under the hood which is easier to get to. I'd pull those too. Use a pair of needle nose pliers. This is time consuming but i do it usually when i get a new vehicle. You never know what you might find blown!
Also, i don't know what exact fuse you should pull but it's listed in your owner's manual if you have one. Sorry, mine is not close.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2011 | 05:11 AM
  #8  
JWA's Avatar
JWA
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,254
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Hey Mini1 another idea--it's helpful to have an EVTM (Electrical/Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual) for your particular year and model of van, especially if you do any sort of trouble shooting on your own. These are in book form and contain a lot of schematics along with fuse box layouts and vacuum routing as well.

I find mine on eBay, typically less than $20 each in nearly new or VGC---they're plentiful over there.

HTH
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Sep 21, 2011 | 05:12 PM
  #9  
mini1's Avatar
mini1
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Replaced fuse 23 for lighter socket and its back online! I opened up the panel and was removing the fuses to swap 23 and 28 to see if the fuse was the issue and I didn't even notice that Ford actually installed a full set of back-up fuses on the rear of the panel door! All were there and new. Wow, thanks Ford!

Where would I find a set of these fuses besides the dealer? I need to replace the one I just took.

Also, does anyone have any ideas on who to make the power port switched with the ignition?
 
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2011 | 06:09 PM
  #10  
86scotty's Avatar
86scotty
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: the old home place
Any auto parts store, Walmart, even convenience stores have these fuses sometimes.
To make a power port switched (with ignition), find your switched power wire for your radio right beside the power port and splice in to that. You can find a radio wiring diagram at installdoctor.com
 
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2011 | 08:09 PM
  #11  
Club Wagon's Avatar
Club Wagon
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 8
"...!!" "...!!" "blah...!!"

Originally Posted by JWA
Might help onlookers if you simply identify the year and model of you van!!

How about contributing something to the thread instead of interjecting something not helpful!
My contribution was clearly "helpful" enough to "help onlookers" like you "simply identify the year and model".
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
John Hubbard
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
6
Sep 25, 2015 09:28 AM
work.truck
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
9
Mar 16, 2015 08:07 AM
TheRifleman
Electrical Systems/Wiring
7
Jan 20, 2014 01:34 AM
steelhead2
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
2
Jun 13, 2011 10:40 PM
kms910
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
4
May 27, 2004 02:56 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:14 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE