Ford Fiesta Cigarette Lighter & Reverse lights not working

nikwright · 07-03-2013, 07:35 PM

Hey Guys

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated...

I have a 5 door 2006 Ford Fiesta.

A while ago the cigarette lighter stopped working (We had been using it to charge our phones only). A few months later I noticed that both reverse lights had also stopped working.

I went to replace the bulbs but soon discovered that both were completely fine.

I have checked all the fuses including the ones for the cigarette lighter and reversing light (diagram on the inside of the glove box).

So, no fuses have gone. No lightbulbs have gone. Also, after dismantling the center console can also confirm no power is coming through to the cigarette lighter.

So, there are other fuses hiding or both these problems are related and have something to do with the solenoids which live above the fuses...

Has anyone else had a similar problem? Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the car?

Any help would be good.

Cheers

Nik

trumpy73 · 08-03-2013, 08:38 AM

Did you replace the fuses anyway? (just to make sure)

nikwright · 08-03-2013, 03:14 PM

Hey Trumpy73

No, I did not. The fuses are definitely intact. It is worth a swing though.

Will give it a bash.

Cheers

Pursya · 08-03-2013, 05:46 PM

Relays?

trumpy73 · 08-03-2013, 06:02 PM

^^ yeah good point. You're probably spot on

nikwright · 10-03-2013, 07:48 PM

Thanks Pursya

I think your right. It must be the relays...

The question is which one? There are quite a few and without a wiring diagram I have no idea which one needs to be replaced.

Any ideas?

trumpy73 · 10-03-2013, 11:26 PM

I may be wrong but aren't relays labelled? (on the back of the cover)

**russellw** · 11-03-2013, 10:30 AM

It's Relay 3 in the engine compartment relay box (should contain 4 relays). The relay box has one square edge and one slightly rounded edge and R3 is the top one at the rounded end.

Cheers
Russ

nikwright · 11-03-2013, 10:34 AM

Thanks russellw

Will check it out

Cheers

nikwright · 28-03-2013, 05:42 PM

OK

Thanks for all your help everyone.

After finding the relays in the engine compartment (next to battery) and replacing the only Relay within, the problem was still there.

I went through the fuses again and discovered there were 2 fuses for the cigarette lighter. So I replaced the other one and now the cigarette lighter works.

So, turns out they were not related.

I am still stuck with no reversing lights. Have gone through all fuses. Any suggestions...

Franco Cozzo · 28-03-2013, 06:53 PM

Take bulbs out and check for power at both bases, check fuses with test light, (is there a reverse light relay? If so try replace) and assuming it has a reverse switch check for continuity with a multimeter.

If that fails, throw hands up in air and take it to an auto electrician.

The amount of times we get "I checked the fuses, they're all fine!" when working on customers cars, and they've just taken them out and looked at it, rather than probing with a test light and making sure, is astounding. Hell I did it myself, physically the fuse looked ok, but it had a break somewhere because when I probed it with a test light, it didn't light up, replaced the fuse, all good.

Also fuses don't blow because they get old, there is a reason why it blows, has been a short to set it off.

nikwright · 14-06-2013, 01:19 PM

So...

There is only one relay in the engine compartment next to the battery. I replaced this with no joy. I tested all the fuses again with no success and bulbs were also tested.

Eventually a gave up and took it into Ford who charged me $250 for a new reversing switch ;-(