? about re-wiring the lighter/dc power

I would like to re-wire the power to the lighter of my '03 Caravan SXT. I just took it in today for the undercoating and asked them to give me full-time power to it (vice the current "only while key is in power" i have now). The service guy says he only had to swap the fuse to a different location but upon reading up on it, this supplied full-time power to the outlet located in the back seat; no change to the front.

Is there a good place i can take the power from to do this? (The radio is also "only on while key is in".)

Thanks for any help.
Larry

My 03 Sport has a power outlet below the front lighter outlet??

my '03 SXT only has the one up front and where the second would be has a black cover. I was actually planning (if i can get the power source) of putting in that second outlet.

Just out of curiosity, does the bottom power source supply continual power (w/o the key in)?

The bottom power source is continuous battery power.

If you pull that cover off is the outlet there?

No, it is a "dummy" cover. Took off that lower console piece in hopes that maybe the wires were there even tho the option was different (Ford does that some) but no such luck. The wires for the lighter (two blue w/ pink stripe, and one black w/ yellow stripe come down from near the column and go straight to the harness that connects to the lighter. I am not an electronics whiz or anything but i wonder why i have those 2 power wires...

thanks for all the help and patience.
Larry

I have a 2000 Grand Caravan and I cant, for the life of me, find where the lighter fuse is located. I think I managed to pop the fuse on accident. Would this also effect the rear cigarette lighter?

Help please

Originally Posted by smith288

I have a 2000 Grand Caravan and I cant, for the life of me, find where the lighter fuse is located. I think I managed to pop the fuse on accident. Would this also effect the rear cigarette lighter?

Help please

Yes it would also effect the rear outlet.
Check the fuses under dash and beside the battery underhood, I think you will find the fuse in the under hood one. Yours is also controlled by a relay, that powers up when the key is on.

Originally Posted by six pack

Yes it would also effect the rear outlet.
Check the fuses under dash and beside the battery underhood, I think you will find the fuse in the under hood one. Yours is also controlled by a relay, that powers up when the key is on.

Thanks! I found it and replaced the fuse. All systems go...well.. except for the radio...

I don't know if it is the same for the '03 as it is for the '00, but no rewiring is required. I needed my outlet on full time as well and all it required was change a relay from one that is normally open (or switched on) only when the power is applied to one that is closed all the time. The relay costs about $13 and only takes about 1 minute to swap out. The relay is located in the "relay block" under the hood in the vicinity of the battery. The owners manual should show you which relay goes to what devices. There is also a layout on the relay block cover.

Good luck.

Thanks!

Can this be done on a 99 as well? Which relay did you purchase? My local auto parts guy had no idea what I was talking about.

Originally Posted by revgarth

Can this be done on a 99 as well? Which relay did you purchase? My local auto parts guy had no idea what I was talking about.

Your dealer should have a listing for this. It is for all 96-00 vans.

They said they would do it but it takes 3 weeks before I can be seen and would cost $100. Do I need a new relay and if so do I relace the old or use it in a different position?

You buy the dummy relay, lift the fuse block cover(beside batt) and swap the cig lighter/acc relay for the dummy relay. Shouldn't take more than 5 mins.

Thanks. Know the number offhand for the relay?

Sorry not offhand, it is yellow in color.

Thanks again.

Man, It sure would be nice to know the part # of the "dummy" relay. None of the parts depts I've contacted have a clue. Is there a schematic of what's inside those 56006707 83159 2375.. relays? Doesn't seem like it would be all that hard to just jumper it.

OK, just opened one up. Pins are numbered 30, 85, 86, and two 87's.
85 and 86 are the coil, 30 is the 'hot' lead, the two 87's are the NO and NC leads, with the outer 87 being the NO.

I just took a couple of 1/4" male disconnects, NAPA/Belden # 784300 and a short peice of 12ga wire and made a jumper. Works fine!