My cigarette adapter will not work.

I inspected all fuses, and none are blown. I pulled the unit out of the console and inspected the back of the adapter, and the connections are fine. Any ideas what could be wrong?

I believe the problem *could* be that while up camping, a friend plugged in a power adapter of some sort to power an air mattress blower. He said it didn't work... now I'm wondering what possibly could be wrong if the fuses are fine.

The lighter itself has an internal fuse which may be blown. Probe the connections to the lighter with a meter while the key is on, if you see power there but the lighter does not work it's the internal fuse. You'll need a new lighter.
Also, just to be sure, you *are* aware that the lighter does not work with the key off, but only in the accessory and run positions?

The lighter itself has an internal fuse which may be blown. Probe the connections to the lighter with a meter while the key is on, if you see power there but the lighter does not work it's the internal fuse. You'll need a new lighter.
Also, just to be sure, you *are* aware that the lighter does not work with the key off, but only in the accessory and run positions?
Well, it's not actually a lighter I'm using. I just bought a new radar detector, to replace my old one that I *thought* was broken. Neither of them work. Unfortunately I no longer have a voltage meter available. :-\ I'm also doing my testing while the car is in: Accessory position, On position, and while the car is running.

By "lighter" I am referring to the socket, not an actual cigarette lighter. In fact unless something's changed the car doesn't even come with a lighter unless you buy one, there is just a black plastic plug in the socket.
Although testing with a meter would be the most definitive, if you can't get anything to work when plugged into it and the fuses are all ok, it's probably NG.

By "lighter" I am referring to the socket, not an actual cigarette lighter. In fact unless something's changed the car doesn't even come with a lighter unless you buy one, there is just a black plastic plug in the socket.
Although testing with a meter would be the most definitive, if you can't get anything to work when plugged into it and the fuses are all ok, it's probably NG.
OK, I checked the socket, looked at the back, and there's a really cheap looking connection which appears to be a poor mans fuse or something. It is intact. I completely dissassembled the lighter socket assembly and reassembled it. Still, no worky. This makes me question whether there's a fuse I'm missing somewhere. I checked the 20 amp fuse under the dash that's for "Mirror/Ciger" which is slot 4. It appears fine, and after replacing it with another 20 amp fuse, it still doesn't work.

Is there another fuse I'm missing somewhere???

No, that sounds like the one. This is why you really need a meter. The fuse in the lighter may very well be bad although you couldn't tell just by looking.

No, that sounds like the one. This is why you really need a meter. The fuse in the lighter may very well be bad although you couldn't tell just by looking.
I think that's exactly it. It appears that this fuse is covered by rubber. While the assembly is intact, it appeared solid. However I just took it apart and noticed that when not supported by the metal piece that was mounted to the plastic, the fuse wobbled around, as if the metal was broken inside the rubber surround.

Why would Subaru design a 20 amp fuse which is easily replaced around a cheap element that is NOT easily replaced. It's $28 cigarrette lighter assembly, and the whole thing has to be replaced. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Thanks for the help Mulder, much appreciated. What bothered me the most was actually not knowing what the problem was. Now I know! :banana:

I had the same problem, and did the just check for the fuse. And yes, in my case, teh whole units also need to be replace.

cant you just bypass the fuse? i always thought that was an easy fix.

Not to hijack this thread, but how do you take the socket out? I did pull up the shifter trim, but it seems to be screwed somewhere I can't see. let me know. Thanks!

Mike