12v power outlet

[Daniel Slade]

Hi all,

bought a newer car , don’t worry I have stayed with the MB and treated myself to a stunning 2006 (W211) E320, honestly it’s like new, i am so pleased with it! Bought the estate so A passenger can put my wheelchair in the boot and sit next to me rather than having to put my chair on the passenger seat in my old E270 saloon, what a difference! Having someone sitting next to me rather than sitting in the back like i’m a taxi driver makes such a difference, sort of makes me feel normal again!!

anyway, car is perfect apart from one little annoyance , once again and this is now the third E that I have had this problem with, the front 12v socket (ashtray) is not working, fuse has been checked and supposedly ok but still no power out if it, looking into the hole it looks brand new and undamaged. Any ideas please! I only want to run a small bluetooth fm transmitter to give me handsfree telephone which is quite important when driving on hand controls and over the MB bluetooth add on I can play music through it as well as unfortunately this one is not quite new enough for an aux input although it does have an aux option on the head unit.

once again grateful for the collective knowledge here and hope there is an answer

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

I’ve had 5p’s dropped into power sockets before that can blow the fuse or just stop them working.

Do you have a volt meter to check it?

Also it might only work in key position 1

 

[Daniel Slade]

Thank you, glad to be here.

i have a volt meter, I will grab it on Sunday as its in storage. There definitely is not a 5p in it, i have looked and it has a very clean brass centre with the rivet/stud holding it in place. I’m not saying a 5p has not been in their previously though

i’m interested in you comment of key position 1 though, why would that be and I have not tried that I had the engine running at the time?

 

[Blobcat]

A lot of Mercedes won’t power the sockets without the key in and the ignition in at least position 1. If you’ve been running with the key in position 2 then it should be powered.

Does the rear power socket work (IIRC) there should be one in the back below the centre drivers armrest in a little storage area.

 

[Daniel Slade]

Yes, the rear one and the one in the boot both work correctly, just the front. I have only tried with the engine running, i’m an advocate of never running accessories without the alternator spinning, just the way I was taught I suppose. If I can’t work it out I guess it will have to go in somewhere and ket them figure it out as its going to annoy me

 

[onefortheroad]

Theres 2 positions for the fuse 1 is switched live the other is permanent live. Try both slots.

 

[Daniel Slade]

Theres 2 positions for the fuse 1 is switched live the other is permanent live. Try both slots.

Wow that I did not know! Thank you very much

 

[Daniel Slade]

Hi all, just a quick thank you, solved the problem today! Turned out to be a slightly corroded fuse holder under the bonnet. The centre contact had a very small amount of corrosion on it so with a fuse in place it showed an unstable voltage between 2 and 10 volts, after a quick clean with electrical contact cleaner and a tiny smear of vaseline on the fuse blades I now have a fully working 12v outlet in the front.
Thanks all for your help

 

[Chrishazle]

The annoyance for me is that they're all dead unless ignition on. What's the point of the one in the rear of an estate if you can't leave your drinks cooler plugged in during a picnic, or charge your mobile phone overnight while parked at an hotel? Had/have this problem with my previous S203 and current S204!

 

[Andyn666]

If your head unit says it has a aux input, it should be in the glovebox on the very top edge in the middle, it took me a while to spot mine.

 

[LostKiwi]

The annoyance for me is that they're all dead unless ignition on. What's the point of the one in the rear of an estate if you can't leave your drinks cooler plugged in during a picnic, or charge your mobile phone overnight while parked at an hotel? Had/have this problem with my previous S203 and current S204!

Interesting. W210 cargo compartment is powered continuously.

 

[onefortheroad]

The annoyance for me is that they're all dead unless ignition on. What's the point of the one in the rear of an estate if you can't leave your drinks cooler plugged in during a picnic, or charge your mobile phone overnight while parked at an hotel? Had/have this problem with my previous S203 and current S204!

Check the fuse box for the dual slot.