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Old Nov 8, 2008 | 04:56 PM
  #1  
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Power Point

The power point on my '04 F250 SD is driving me nuts. Several months ago it worked fine. Then I plugged the cell phone charger into it and it lit up as usual. Then, after about 20 minutes I saw that the light on the charger was not on. I grabbed the charger to remove it and it lit up again, then in a few seconds the light slowly faded out.

Now, whatever I plug into the power point either doesn't work, or the indicator light goes on then slowly fades. I've checked it with a meter and can get 12 volts, or an indicator light. Fuse looks good.

Anyone else have this problem? I've also tried to get to the back of the power point but can't. Is there a trick to that too?

Thanks in advance

John
 
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Old Nov 8, 2008 | 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnG3
The power point on my '04 F250 SD is driving me nuts. Several months ago it worked fine. Then I plugged the cell phone charger into it and it lit up as usual. Then, after about 20 minutes I saw that the light on the charger was not on. I grabbed the charger to remove it and it lit up again, then in a few seconds the light slowly faded out.

Now, whatever I plug into the power point either doesn't work, or the indicator light goes on then slowly fades. I've checked it with a meter and can get 12 volts, or an indicator light. Fuse looks good.

Anyone else have this problem? I've also tried to get to the back of the power point but can't. Is there a trick to that too?

Thanks in advance

John
I have the same problem with mine since i owned the truck, and it drive my nuts to.

Thanks for posting, Waiting to hear the fix.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2008 | 06:40 PM
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Yep, me too.
During a long trip my laptop will sometimes beep with a low battery warning because the outlet went ATU. I pull the plug and pop it back in and it'll work for several more hours.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2008 | 07:41 PM
  #4  
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I have this exact problem. I had a FM transmitter that worked fine for a while and about 2 weeks ago it stopped working. Fuse is fine in mine also.

I got close to the back of it by, removing the hook on the dash, pull the cup holder out then you can get to the screws to remove the rest of the cup holder.

but there is a metal bracket running through the dash so you can't get much futher than this.

I hope someone can tell us what is going on!!!
 
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 09:21 AM
  #5  
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Are the contacts inside dirty? Did someone try a cigarette lighter in it?
 
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 11:05 AM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by krewat
Are the contacts inside dirty? Did someone try a cigarette lighter in it?
No, all looks good, Cig lighter works.

I've spent hours looking for a short or cut wire but found nothing.

It's odd- works great for hours or days then it go's dead.
 
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 11:21 AM
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The 2001 EVTM shows nothing between the power point and the fuse. No circuit breakers, nothing.

I wonder if they changed anything in later years, and there's a circuit breaker in there somewhere?

Anyone with a later EVTM?
 
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 11:46 AM
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I also have had this problem. What I have found is that must cig adapter plugs are cheaply made and do not have good spring tension to hold them in place in the outlet. Take a little emory cloth and rough up the inside surface of the outlet to give the connection a little more friction.
 
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by weyland426
I also have had this problem. What I have found is that must cig adapter plugs are cheaply made and do not have good spring tension to hold them in place in the outlet. Take a little emory cloth and rough up the inside surface of the outlet to give the connection a little more friction.
Agree with above and double check your ground or run a separate ground. Does sound like a ground issue to me
 
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 01:06 PM
  #10  
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It's no more complicated than the plug losing contact inside the power point (my truck does it too). Wiggle the damn thing a bit and it usually reconnects. I think its the Ford power point, as just about every 12v plug I have does it.
 
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 02:27 PM
  #11  
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you can take the plug out and pry the tabs on the sides inward to snug it up a bit.
 
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 05:03 PM
  #12  
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WD/40 or dielectric grease. It does wonders, wonders i say! Praise me for I am electrical genious bow down to me!

Actually the auxilary power point is a really poor design, smear dielectric grease around in there, the power points are a poor design and then most components that plug into are usually made by the lowest bidder so the contacts are cheap corrosion resistant metal that doesn't conduct electricity very well. Hence the jiggling and wiggling trying to get a good contact.

I got sick of the problem so i hard wired in my radar detector. Best fix i can give ya is to hardwire anything in.
 
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Old Nov 9, 2008 | 11:45 PM
  #13  
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IF YOU HARDWIRE ANYTHING, MAKE SURE TO INCORPORATE A FUSE! They are cheap and easy to install... could prevent MAJOR ISSUES!

Only you can prevent vehicle fires, trashed harnesses, and loss of radio
 
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Old Nov 10, 2008 | 06:40 PM
  #14  
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Seems like you have a sticky problem with your CapLock key there...
 
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Old Nov 11, 2008 | 12:20 AM
  #15  
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From: Spring Lake
Originally Posted by NorCalBusa
Seems like you have a sticky problem with your CapLock key there...
I Feel like pUxhing random buttons ALL THe TimE... its cool though you can just spend all your TIME looking aT my caps and LATER on BuRn YOUR TrUck DOwN. I wIlL lAugh My aNuS oFf
 
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