the same time, the power distribution system was
designed to provide ready access to these electrical
distribution points for the vehicle technician to use
when conducting diagnosis and repair of faulty cir-
cuits. The power distribution system can also prove
useful for the sourcing of additional electrical circuits
that may be required to provide the electrical current
needed to operate accessories that the vehicle owner
may choose to have installed in the aftermarket.
NOTE: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SWAP POWER DIS-
TRIBUTION CENTERS FROM ONE VEHICLE TO
ANOTHER. MOST OF THESE ASSEMBLIES ARE
VEHICLE FEATURE SPECIFIC AND THEREFORE
NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. ALWAYS USE THE COR-
RECT PART NUMBERED ASSEMBLY WHEN DIAG-
NOSING OR REPLACING A POWER DISTRIBUTION
CENTER.
SPECIAL TOOLS
POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
CIGAR LIGHTER OUTLET
DESCRIPTION
A cigar lighter outlet is standard equipment on
this model. On models equipped with the optional
Smoker's Package, the cigar lighter knob and heating
element are included. On models without the Smok-
er's Package, the cigar lighter outlet is equipped with
a snap fit plastic cap and is treated as an extra
accessory power outlet. The cigar lighter outlet is
installed in the instrument panel center lower bezel,
which is located near the bottom of the instrument
panel center stack area, below the heater and air
conditioner controls. The cigar lighter outlet is
secured by a snap fit within the center lower bezel.The cigar lighter outlet, plastic cap and the knob
and heating element unit are available for service
replacement. These components cannot be repaired
and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.
OPERATION
The cigar lighter consists of two major components:
a knob and heating element unit, and the cigar
lighter base or outlet shell. The receptacle shell is
connected to ground, and an insulated contact in the
bottom of the shell is connected to battery current.
The cigar lighter receives battery voltage from a fuse
in the junction block when the ignition switch is in
the Accessory or On positions.
The cigar lighter knob and heating element are
encased within a spring-loaded housing, which also
features a sliding protective heat shield. When the
knob and heating element are inserted in the outlet
shell, the heating element resistor coil is grounded
through its housing to the outlet shell. If the cigar
lighter knob is pushed inward, the heat shield slides
up toward the knob exposing the heating element,
and the heating element extends from the housing
toward the insulated contact in the bottom of the
outlet shell.
Two small spring-clip retainers are located on
either side of the insulated contact inside the bottom
of the outlet shell. These clips engage and hold the
heating element against the insulated contact long
enough for the resistor coil to heat up. When the
heating element is engaged with the contact, battery
current can flow through the resistor coil to ground,
causing the resistor coil to heat.
When the resistor coil becomes sufficiently heated,
excess heat radiates from the heating element caus-
ing the spring-clips to expand. Once the spring-clips
expand far enough to release the heating element,
the spring-loaded housing forces the knob and heat-
ing element to pop back outward to their relaxed
position. When the cigar lighter knob and element
are pulled out of the outlet shell, the protective heat
shield slides downward on the housing so that the
heating element is recessed and shielded around its
circumference for safety.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CIGAR LIGHTER
OUTLET
For complete circuit diagrams, refer toHorn/Ci-
gar Lighter/Power Outletin Wiring Diagrams.
(1) Check the fused B(+) fuse in the junction block.
If OK, go to Step 2. If not OK, repair the shorted cir-
cuit or component as required and replace the faulty
fuse.
(2) Turn the ignition switch to the On position.
Check for battery voltage at the fused B(+) fuse in
Terminal Pick Kit 6680
8W - 97 - 2 8W-97 POWER DISTRIBUTIONWJ
POWER DISTRIBUTION (Continued)
