[whitenblue]

Hi,
I recently tried to use the 12v cigarette lighter power socket in the cup holder area of my 2017 X3 F25. It wasn't working. The socket in the center arm rest was however. I can see metal contacts in the cup holder socket, but I'm wondering if something is broken or a blown fuse, or if it's not meant to work and is there just as a placeholder or something.

Should it work?

If so is there a fuse and where is it?

-Kris

[richardodn]

12V connector 2 - fuse 144
12V connector 3 and front cigarette lighter - fuse 54
12V connector 4 - fuse 65
12V connector 5 - fuse 143
Other possibilities are fuses 171 and 176 but they aren't in my wiring diagrams for 2010-2014
Fuses numbered < 100 are in the front fuse block. Fuses 100 and greater are in the rear.

[whitenblue]

Thank you for the reply.

I was able to search for this topic on the web and found an article describing the fuse blocks, showing diagrams, and which fuses pertain to the power outlet in the cup holder area. I checked all of the fuses and they were all fine. So I'm back to these three things:

1. The fuses pertaining to the power outlet were listed as 1, 54, 65, 143, 144, 171, and 176. Out of those I had some empty sockets at positions 1, 144, and 176. I assumed they were missing for a reason, but maybe not. I also don't want to just add a fuses and connect something that shouldn't be connected. Any thoughts?

2. Something is broken; like a wire or something.

3. That power outlet isn't meant to be powered.

[whitenblue]

Well, I feel so stupid. Someone on another forum pointed something out. It might be the depth of the power outlet port itself causing the problem. I went down this rabbit hole because my normal USB charger didn't light up when I plugged it in. So I checked it in the glove box power outlet and it worked. So I thought the charger was ok, it must be the cup holder power outlet. For a moment I thought about checked it with my multimeter, but I thought, nah, can't be. Sure enough I'm getting 12V there! So why the hell would BMW install two different power outlets with two different depths about 1 foot from each other? Geez. I guess I have to go on a hunt for a BMW "long stem charger". Crazy.

Does anyone know the "standard" or spec I should be searching for while shopping for a longer stemmed charger?

[Qsilver7]

Check to see if the non working socket is a different size. BMW uses a different size socket in some models…and owners think the socket doesn’t work when the only thing wrong is that the adapter is too big for the socket.

Yes…if you didn’t know…there are two sizes:

12-volt cigar lighter receptacle and plug, size A:

• Receptacle inside diameter: 20.93 - 21.01 mm (median 20.97 mm)
• Plug body diameter: 20.73 - 20.88 mm (median 20.805 mm)
• Most often used in American automobiles.

12-volt cigar lighter receptacle and plug, size B:

• Receptacle inside diameter: 21.41 - 21.51 mm (median 21.455 mm)
• Plug body diameter: 21.13 - 21.33 mm (median 21.18 mm)
• Most often used in European automobiles, and sometimes as a second socket in American automobiles expressly for DC power connections.

If what you are trying to keep charged has a USB or USB-C or whatever the new connector type is called…perhaps a BMW 12v adapter with the correct connection you need will get your sockets working for you.

[oraclesd]

I second the below, I replaced the fuse and no change to a cig lighter adapter, it did work in the cig lighter adapter in the arm rest. I bought a couple different adapters on Amazon, and one of them worked!! Try one with a led to see if its getting power, that’s what also helped in debugging the problem

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Check to see if the non working socket is a different size. BMW uses a different size socket in some models…and owners think the socket doesn’t work when the only thing wrong is that the adapter is too big for the socket.

Yes…if you didn’t know…there are two sizes:

12-volt cigar lighter receptacle and plug, size A:

• Receptacle inside diameter: 20.93 - 21.01 mm (median 20.97 mm)
• Plug body diameter: 20.73 - 20.88 mm (median 20.805 mm)
• Most often used in American automobiles.

12-volt cigar lighter receptacle and plug, size B:

• Receptacle inside diameter: 21.41 - 21.51 mm (median 21.455 mm)
• Plug body diameter: 21.13 - 21.33 mm (median 21.18 mm)
• Most often used in European automobiles, and sometimes as a second socket in American automobiles expressly for DC power connections.

If what you are trying to keep charged has a USB or USB-C or whatever the new connector type is called…perhaps a BMW 12v adapter with the correct connection you need will get your sockets working for you.

[FloridaNative]

Sounds like you got yours figured out, but for future reference to anyone that finds this thread, the fuse for the socket between the two console cup holders is 54 in the front fuse box. For me, the easiest way to access is to remove the three screws and the kick panel (so I can reach in) as well as opening the back panel in the glove box (so I can see).

-Mike