Constant power to lighter socket?

Z

ZeeFore

Active member
 Miyagi Pref., Japan
I have just noticed that the cigar lighter socket in my Z4 is always powered, even when the ignition key is fully off. By comparison, the socket in my Honda is only powered once the key is turned to the accessory position.

This means that I need to be careful of leaving things plugged in. On the Honda I can leave an inverter or iPod charger plugged in without having to worry about battery drain when the car is off, but I'll have to be sure to unplug in the Z4.

Is this normal for the Z4, or European cars in general?
 
Mine is the same, some say theirs turns off after 15 mins but mine will still be powdered some 24 hours later!

I ran a new cig socket from my fuse box, which is only powered with ignition which I fitted behind my drivers side footwell plastic.
 
Thanks for the replies!

So it seems that there's some variation. Some turn off, some don't, and possibly some turn off after a period of time. I wonder if that's area dependent.

Mine definitely stays powered up, and it now appears that that behavior is "normal" ... at least in some areas ... so I won't worry about it. Still, I will have to remember not to leave anything plugged in, unless I add a switchable socket or two.
 
I leave my Berry charger plugged in all the time and the little red light is always on... Doesn't seem to have any effect on the battery.
 
Bing said:
I leave my Berry charger plugged in all the time and the little red light is always on... Doesn't seem to have any effect on the battery.
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Do you drive your Zed every day? I guess it wouldn't be problem if the car is a daily driver, but in my case the poor thing occasionally sits idle for a week or so, so I'd be a bit worried about continuous battery load, even if it's small.

On the other hand ... maybe I worry too much. :)
 
Ah, yes, you have a point - it is my daily driver. If it sits idle for more than a day I get withdrawal symptoms :D

May be best to ignore me then :lol:
 
Bing said:
If it sits idle for more than a day I get withdrawal symptoms :D
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I get those too, but sometimes there's just no way to get a "fix."

Last week, for example, we had a house guest for about three days. Said guest is a good friend, so that in itself isn't a problem, it's just that for the duration it was necessary to transport three people rather than the usual one or two, which necessitated the use of another car. Damn, life is tough at times!
 
Same issue with my 2007 2.0 Roadster. Transferred my Belkin Ipod adaptor from my other car and noticed the power light stayed on when the car was turned off. So ditched it as not happy leaving it in permanently and don't want to be taking it in and out. Have just accepted that I will have to keep charging my ipod independantly.
 
aquasi's solution sounds like a good idea :thumbsup:

personally I've routed an expander socket into the glove box, then have all the bits I need plugged in there. All those leads are routed back to the ash tray area. All you then have to do is plug the expansion plug in and whatever you need. All the cables neatly fold away so you can close the ash tray lid no problems :D

note the above does mean I don't actually have an ash tray anymore, but it's so small, it's no real loss :D
 
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