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My first question. Cigarette lighter insert for mp3 player?

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 6:52 am
by thinkdontpray
This Vibe doesnt have the cig lighter, which is fine because I quit smoking. However, I have a Belkin tunecast (I think) which allows my ipod to transmit over the radio. I know, not the greatest method by any means but it was from my last car and I'd like to try it out. Problem being, it needs to be plugged into a cig lighter. I have the 120 volt input dealie beside the electrical outlet and tried plugging it in, with no luck. I called the dealer and he said that there was a cigarette lighter insert that could be purchased to correct the problem. Does anyone (perferably in Canada) know if I can pick something like this up at Canadian Tire, etc etc or should I just get it from the dealer. And, has anyone had this problem?Thanks guys.

Re: My first question. Cigarette lighter insert for mp3 player? (thinkdontpray)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:02 am
by prathman
With or without an actual cigarette 'lighter' your Vibe should have a 12 VDC power outlet below the heater controls and to the left of the 120 VAC outlet.Plugging your FM transmitting IPOD-adapter into that should work fine without any need for any insert. Note that this 12 VDC outlet is only live when your ignition key is in either the ON or ACC position.

Re: My first question. Cigarette lighter insert for mp3 player? (thinkdontpray)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:04 am
by kevera
So is there a cutout for the lighter on your dash.My vibe has another plug inside the center console at the bottom,does yours have one too.

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:10 am
by thinkdontpray
Ok, what I have is below the heater/AC controls is three things, The 120 volt outlet, a button for the electrical output, and then the electrical output. (Left to right)The reason I need a cig lighter is because this transmitter needs to be plugged into one to have power, which powers the little remote that allows me to scroll up and down channels. It also plugs into my ipod and recharges it as it plays. So thats why I need a cig lighter. And I'll have to check that Kevera. I was only in the car for about 30 mins before I had to come to work.

Re: (thinkdontpray)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:16 am
by kevera
Check for that other outlet in the ceter console, and Canadian tire does sell the cigarette lighter inserts for way cheaper than the dealer has them.

Re: (kevera)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:21 am
by thinkdontpray
Now, by centre console, do you mean below the shifter, down near the floor where you can pull out that little cubby hole?But yeah, I'll check Crappy Trash for these inserts, guy at the dealer said you could get one for a few bucks or something. Is there any installation involved or do you just slide it in? Its purely needed for this fm transmitter. I put it in the 120 volt outlet and it fit but not snugly and the power light didnt come on. I may end up buying a deck with a output for an ipod anyways. Just wanted to try this thing out. You wouldnt believe how hard it is for me to sit here and stare at my car sitting outside right now.

Re: (thinkdontpray)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:24 am
by kevera
The armrest center console.When you lift the lid,there is a outlet at the bottom that on my Vibe.

Re: (thinkdontpray)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:26 am
by prathman
Quote, originally posted by thinkdontpray »Ok, what I have is below the heater/AC controls is three things, The 120 volt outlet, a button for the electrical output, and then the electrical output. (Left to right)That first one on the left is a 12 VDC outlet (not 120 volt) and it should work fine for the plug of your Ipod-adapter. Make sure you're pushing the plug in all the way and that you have the ignition switch turned to ON (I think ACC will also work, but the outlet won't be live if the ignition is turned to OFF).The cigarette lighter insert would be the actual heating element that can also plug into a 12 VDC outlet and get hot enough to light a cigarette - that wouldn't be of any use to you for running your adapter.Note that newer Vibes don't come with the second 12 VDC outlet in the console that's mentioned by kevara above. (But it's easy to add one if desired - the hole for it is provided and the wiring is still there.)

Re: (prathman)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:30 am
by kevera
No,I think he's saying that there is no socket inside the lighter,which means he has no lighter.Not the element part,the socket in which it plugs into.

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:35 am
by thinkdontpray
Ok, I just ran out and yeah the 2007 doesnt have that extra hole at the bottom of the centre console. And perhaps I havent been clear enough but this transmitter NEEDS to be plugged into a cigarette lighter to work. Right now, its an empty outlet and Ive shoved the transmitter as far in as I can without breaking it . It wiggles around and again, no power. The dealer said that an insert would correct the problem. But I dunno, I am new to all this. I dont want a cigarette lighter to heat up and light butts with, I just need it to so this adapter will plug in and work. Thanks for all the quick help and advice though guys. This forum is going to prove invaluable.

Re: (thinkdontpray)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:38 am
by kevera
Just go to Canadian tire for that thing.I think they are $6 for the socket minus the lighter.Too bad the newer Vibes don't have that extra plug,I never use mine.

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:50 am
by thinkdontpray
So Kev, I should go and ask for a cigarette lighter socket? Are they just generic or should I say its for a Vibe? Or atleast for a Pontiac?I really appreciate it dude, we will surely get together for a few brews some day this summer, whether its the meet or not.

Re: (thinkdontpray)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:55 am
by kevera
That I'm not sure about.They do have a fitment book for them,so it should point you in the right direction.You just want to make sure you have the right diameter to fit in the hole.I'll be around all summer so hit me up for that beer.

Re: (kevera)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:56 am
by prathman
Quote, originally posted by kevera »Just go to Canadian tire for that thing.I think they are $6 for the socket minus the lighter.Too bad the newer Vibes don't have that extra plug,I never use mine.The newer Vibes don't have the second 12 VDC power outlet in the center console, but they *do* still have the one in the dash itself. Therefore there should be no need for thinkdontpray to purchase anything.If his power outlet isn't working then he should take it to the dealer to have it fixed under warranty. Getting the $6 socket from Canadian Tire (or elsewhere) would still require that it be wired up to a source of electrical power.But first I'd make sure that there's really a problem with the existing power outlet. Try any other device that takes 12 V power, such as a cellphone charger and see if that works ok. It might be a problem with the power plug end of the IPOD-adapter. And again, have the ignition switch turned on when you test the power outlet.

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:57 am
by coldmm803
yours should look like this (mines an 05) so unless they (GM) are really stupid and it should be there. there is power going to that

Re: (coldmm803)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 8:34 am
by kevera
Quote, originally posted by prathman »The newer Vibes don't have the second 12 VDC power outlet in the center console, but they *do* still have the one in the dash itself. Therefore there should be no need for thinkdontpray to purchase anything.If his power outlet isn't working then he should take it to the dealer to have it fixed under warranty. Getting the $6 socket from Canadian Tire (or elsewhere) would still require that it be wired up to a source of electrical power.But first I'd make sure that there's really a problem with the existing power outlet. Try any other device that takes 12 V power, such as a cellphone charger and see if that works ok. It might be a problem with the power plug end of the IPOD-adapter. And again, have the ignition switch turned on when you test the power outlet.Some of the Toyota's did come with an empty blank for the lighter,so no 12v power there.If there is a socket then,yeah there is a problem with the power.Like I said,I have a lighter that works,so I don't know what thinkdontpray has.It could even be a plug not connected on the socket itself.

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:12 am
by dianebrat
dumb sorta noob comment, Am I remembering correctly that if you have the inverter switch pressed to give you the 120VAC, the 12VDC is no longer live?(or am I just delusional again?)Diane

Re: (dianebrat)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:23 am
by joatmon
the two are independent, turning on the 115V AC does not affect the 12V outletand in the pic that coldmm803 posted that round hole is the 12V outlet, which is standard on all Vibes (so far) (It gets its power form the same fuse as the radio)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:58 am
by thinkdontpray
Yeah coldmm, thats what mine looks like as well. Like I said, I havent had a chance to mess around with all the bells and whistles yet but I will try my cell phone adapter and make sure the outlet is working right and then go from there.Appreciate all the help my Vibe brethren.

Re: (joatmon)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 11:39 am
by dianebrat
Quote, originally posted by joatmon »the two are independent, turning on the 115V AC does not affect the 12V outletI can accept delusional

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 2:37 pm
by thinkdontpray
Ok guys, so I tried out my adapter for my cell phone, which is only 6 months old, and again the adapter is meant for a cigarette lighter and has the two thin prongs along each side of the piece you stick in the lighter. It fit, but barely and required me to tug on it fairly hard to pull it out. So its not meant for it, there was no power going through it at all. I am going to call the dealer tommorow and get figure this all out.

Re: (dianebrat)

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:24 pm
by joatmon
Quote, originally posted by dianebrat »I can accept delusional I assumed you had an experience where switching on the 115V AC, you bumped whatever was plugged into the 12V outlet, making it go off, so you've had real world data where turning on the 115VAC turned off the 12 V DC. and are in no way delusional Sometimes wen I plug stuff in to the 12V socket, I have to pull it out, rotate it a little, and try again to get it to make thhe connection. Depends on the socket and te plug, have to get the contacts lined up right. Some cars I've had I'd just plug it in and then rotate it till it came on, but once when I did that in the vibe I blew a fuse, so now I don't spin anyting after it's plugged in

Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 10:56 pm
by hellbender
what i want to know when you get this sorted is.... how is the sound with the belkin? i'm lookin at that option myself....

Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 2:08 pm
by coldmm803
i'm amazed that there would not be power going to it. for the sake of asking, did you start the car or have the key in the on position when you tried the cell charger.

Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 6:55 pm
by MRCN RCE
that's weird. i have the belkin transmitter for my ipod and it works fine in the dash outlet, and the (self installed ) center console outlet. i'll go snap some pics with it in n the ipod turned on. brb

Re: (MRCN RCE)

Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 7:12 pm
by MRCN RCE
here ya go.in the armrest:

Re: (MRCN RCE)

Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 7:45 pm
by kevera
Where's the pic,bro.

Re: (kevera)

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 9:42 pm
by MRCN RCE
Quote, originally posted by kevera »Where the pic,bro.comp was being stupid, so i gave up. here ya go.in the armrest:in the dash:the connection:

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 9:46 pm
by MRCN RCE
btw it was pretty hard to get the connector in the power outlet at first, but after a couple times, it finally was a lil easier.(this leaves room for a bad joke, but let's try to keep our minds outta the gutter)

Re: (MRCN RCE)

Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 1:05 am
by kevera
Seeing that pic makes me want one.Now I have to read up on how to wire up one of those.

Re: (kevera)

Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 1:53 am
by MRCN RCE
installation couldn't be easier. it's just a transmitter, so just plug it in the power supply then put your ipod in it, select a radio station with a weak signal, and you're good. it comes with about 10 different adapters for every ipod, old and new, (except the new lil one that clips to your clothes) so it doesn't move around in the transmitter. i think you've got the ipod2car in your mind. that one requires wiring, and since it's wired into your stereo, the sound quality will be better. although the transmitter i have is pretty good. it gets pretty loud

Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 10:19 am
by thinkdontpray
Thanks for the pictures and advice mrcn rce. My Vibe is a 2007 and unfortunatly the outlet in the armrest is not there and is just a covered hole. Also, my adapter for my Belkin is almost identical to yours but again, it doesnt work. It fits but no power and if I try and push it in any further I am afraid it will break. My brother came over and his adapter (I forget what make) worked fine. So I may trade him and see how that goes for the time being. How does the ipod2car work? Is it something that has to be ordered online or would Best Buy/Futureshop etc etc carry it in store?

Re: (thinkdontpray)

Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 12:05 pm
by prathman
Quote, originally posted by thinkdontpray »My Vibe is a 2007 and unfortunatly the outlet in the armrest is not there and is just a covered hole. Note that it's very easy to add an extra outlet in that hole at the bottom of the armrest. The armrest/console is held down by 4 bolts (2 under the pad at the front of the console and two under the pad inside the compartment below the armrest. Undo those and you can lift the console up. You'll find a wire underneath for the +12V connection to a power outlet. Radio Shack, Canadian Tire, and others sell appropriate power outlet sockets for about $6 - $8 that fit in the console hole and can be connected to that wire.I added Radio Shack sockets to our Vibes and usually have a phone charger inside the console compartment and a SatNav plugged into the one in the dash.