Brand new van blowing fuses

same ol sh1te

Brand new Vivaro has blown 15A cig lighter/power socket fuse twice, first with a phone charger connected, then with dash cam. Don't think there's anything wrong with the devices power supply as they've been working in the car for ages and still work. Is there anything I can check myself? I'm well tooled up with multimeters etc. I presume there's some sort of short between the fuse and the cig lighter socket itself. Could it be a known issue?

L-M

Is there something stuck in the cig lighter?

same ol sh1te

Limerick man wrote: »

Is there something stuck in the cig lighter?

No, there was no cig lighter, just a plastic cap but there's nothing in the socket

Fuzzy Clam

Possible faulty socket. is it blowing as soon as you plug something in?

same ol sh1te

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

Possible faulty socket. is it blowing as soon as you plug something in?

No, works for a while

colm_mcm

Its plugs that are too loose in the socket.

same ol sh1te

colm_mcm wrote: »

Its plugs that are too loose in the socket.

Not to sure on that, there's 127 miles on the van and it's gone through 2 fuses, I need to buy another tomorrow

ted1

same ol sh1te wrote: »

Not to sure on that, there's 127 miles on the van and it's gone through 2 fuses, I need to buy another tomorrow

Is it happening with the same charger? If so the charger us faulty if it's happening without anything plugged then it's not your problem bring it back to the garage

same ol sh1te

ted1 wrote: »

Is it happening with the same charger? If so the charger us faulty if it's happening without anything plugged then it's not your problem bring it back to the garage

No, it's happened with 2 different devices, first was a 2.1A usb phone charger, then next was with my dash cam. Both devices have worked fine in my car before this and are still working in the car without blowing it's cig lighter fuse.

I realise there's a problem but it's a fleet van that I have to work with, will have lots of hassle getting something simple like this looked at, might be easier just try fix it if it's a simple fix

Crasp

Can you put a higher rated fuse in instead?

JIdontknow

Sounds like a faulty cigarette lighter socket, I had one of them phone chargers blow 15 amp fuze too over time, didn't know there was that type of draw on it until then. You checked there isn't a small bit of metal or anything stuck in the charger shorting it or constantly drawing it?

Can you not use that socket at all for a while just have cigarette lighter in it ( not on) and see does it still blow or damage the fuse?

jimgoose

Crasp wrote: »

Can you put a higher rated fuse in instead?

No. Just... no!

JIdontknow

Crasp wrote: »

Can you put a higher rated fuse in instead?

While it seems a simple fix and is, and we often think this way, I wouldn't do this, fuse is there to protect it, especially where we think it's the cigarette lighter socket you wouldn't know what could happen regarding it and heat etc.

colm_mcm

same ol sh1te wrote: »

Not to sure on that, there's 127 miles on the van and it's gone through 2 fuses, I need to buy another tomorrow

There isn't a seperate 12v accessory socket is there?

same ol sh1te

colm_mcm wrote: »

There isn't a seperate 12v accessory socket is there?

Don't think so, I'll check the manual later. It appears to be the power outlet socket. There was no lighter, just a fake one as the cap with 12v written in it.

invicta

same ol sh1te wrote: »

Don't think so, I'll check the manual later. It appears to be the power outlet socket. There was no lighter, just a fake one as the cap with 12v written in it.

Take it back to garage where bought!
127 miles?? Guarantee????

same ol sh1te

invicta wrote: »

Take it back to garage where bought!
127 miles?? Guarantee????

Yes, I realise that, but it's not quite that simple. It's a work van on lease and would mean lots of hassle bringing it back up to Dublin when I live in the West. Also, it's a Vauxhall UK spec, the lease company obviously bought cheaper in the UK, not sure how the Irish dealerships handle this. If there's a simple fix I'm as well just do it. Was just starting the thread to see if it was a known issue or simple fix.

YbFocus

Crasp wrote: »

Can you put a higher rated fuse in instead?

That's not a fix crasp, you may just end up doing a lot of harm to the van!

visual

Its the lighter socket
its internally shorting intermittently

don't be tempted to up rating on the fuse as the wiring loom can be damaged.

BrensBenz

Return to dealer....but my curiosity wouldn't allow me to do that first! I'd check the socket itself.

It's a new van so dampness is unlikely but I'd still remove and check the socket and have a close look at the fusebox.
While charging, some heat is generated in the socket and perhaps this allows the conductors to move and short out.
It's also possible that the conductors are too close together and vibration while driving brings them together to short. Insulating tape or shrinkwrap may be all you need.

The fuse is protecting your precious and delicate devices so I wouldn't mess with the ampage!

Best of luck.

colm_mcm

same ol sh1te wrote: »

Don't think so, I'll check the manual later. It appears to be the power outlet socket. There was no lighter, just a fake one as the cap with 12v written in it.

That's grand, does the plug fit tightly in the socket or is there movement? Garage I used to work in saw a good few satnav plugs causing shorts in the socket due to the plug moving and arcing.

Even a €2 socket extension/adaptor (one with a lead) with a correctly fitting plug would help you troubleshoot and see what the cause is.
Some have a sleeve that slides down to make the plug sit tighter in the socket


Warranty wise you're covered by the way regardless of whether its vauxhall or opel.

same ol sh1te

Right, I've found a two way power splitter in the press and have replaced the fuse, will see how this goes when I'm not connecting devices in the main socket. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

R.O.R

Call the lease company and ask them where you should take it to get it looked at.

Then call them cheap gits for importing vans.

It's not a common issue with the Vivaro.

jetfiremuck

All my cars had a 20 amp fuse some even 25amp from the factory. I think 15a is too light.

Wossack

problem is if the 15a fuse is mirrored in the gauge of the wiring..

Drummerboy08

Would think its a "lease" as a opposed to a lease van. More than likely its a rental van, and I've an idea who supplied it....

Call the company involved and ask them where you can get it looked at. If you go rooting thru it and cause more problems, guess who's gonna be paying the repair bill? Here's a hint - you.

Its not your van so dont go near it, get it checked out by the recommended outlet as per the "lease" company.

Fuzzy Clam

jetfiremuck wrote: »

All my cars had a 20 amp fuse some even 25amp from the factory. I think 15a is too light.

I dont think 15 is too light for a phone charger or dash cam.