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2013 Prius C cigarette lighter outlet doesnt work, USB cant charge phone

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by lyza, Jun 19, 2020.

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  1. lyza

    lyza New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2020
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    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    III
    Just got this one used, and the cigarette lighter power outlet does not seem to work.

    I thought I would first try to check the fuse to see if its blown. I found the fuse box underneath the steering wheel area. And I found the one labeled "CIG". However the fuses are so tiny and so tight and flush in the box, I have been unable to even get the fuse out to check it. I went to AutoZone, bought a small fuse puller + extra fuse kit, well I did not realize that there were multiple sizes of these Type A (?) fuses, the ones I got are too large and the fuse puller that came with them is too fat to even pull out the fuse.

    I am looking online to try and find a fuse puller that would work but at this point I am not even sure how to tell if any given fuse puller will fit for this small tight fuse box. And I have not even seen the CIG fuse so I dont even know if that is the problem yet.

    Meanwhile, I tried using the onboard USB port to charge my phone, and its waaaay too weak. My phone (Pixel 3) reads only 300-400mA power output. Once I start running Google Maps Navigation + Spotify streaming + Bluetooth audio to play in the car, the phone battery level is slowly decreasing despite being plugged in and "charging", about 1% every 5-10min. So, the USB alone is not enough to power my phone while playing music and navigating. Until I can get the cigarette lighter power outlet fixed, this is gonna be a huge damper on taking the new Prius on longer road trips.

    Any suggestions? I am completely new to DIY car repairs and electrical repairs. The most I've ever done with cars is pour in some oil and wiper fluid every once in a while. I am trying to avoid having to take it to a mechanic ($$$) just to fix the cigarette lighter.
     
    #1 lyza, Jun 19, 2020
  2. Pri3C

    Pri3C Active Member

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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    My iPhone 11 will, at the very least, hold its charge while listening to music, talking on the phone, using maps, and usually slowly charges about 5-15% an hour with the built-in port. If the GPS is active I'd make sure the screen is dim or off as much as possible. That said, I added a 12v adapter so I don't use the built-in port very often now, and we have different phones.

    I don't think the USB port was really meant to be a great charger. Battery technology was in a different place in 2013, and had Toyota chosen something more powerful I think it could have destroyed some devices.

    Hopefully someone here can help you with the fuse situation. There are threads in this forum regarding the issue:

    Cigarette lighter 12V not working | PriusChat
    Cigarette Lighter not working | PriusChat
     
    #2 Pri3C, Jun 19, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2020
  3. rjdriver

    rjdriver Active Member

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    Rhode Island
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Lyza, in case you haven't found it yet, there is a fuse puller in the other fuse box under the hood. That box is located in the upper left corner behind the windshield washer fluid filler location. The puller should be easy to spot. It's the only white thing in there.
     
    #3 rjdriver, Jun 20, 2020
    lyza likes this.
  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Four
    It is also possible that your charger plug is just not making good connection in the socket.

    That same AutoZone that sold you the wrong size fuse kit, could also sell you the RIGHT one......if you let them look at your fuse box.
    They might even put a meter on the power socket to see if it really is dead or not.
     
    #4 sam spade 2, Jun 20, 2020
  5. lyza

    lyza New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    III
    Yeah I eventually did find the fuse puller under the hood in the fuse box on the left side. Did not even realize it was there at first. It was the correct size to pull out the fuses under the steering wheel. The CIG fuse was indeed blown. Replaced it with an identical 15A fuse from AutoZone, now the cigarette port works and my phone charges from there without issue.
     
    #5 lyza, Jun 22, 2020
    Mollyisadog likes this.
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