Cigarette lighter power always ON

[Sabre]

Is this normal for an e46?

The power on the cigarette lighter stays on after the car is switched off and I have to manually turn the GPS off every time and this is damn annoying :cursin:

How do I get the power to work with the ignition?

 

[Roundal]

It is the same on my E39.

 

[StK]

Its normal.Its only on the the newer cars that have an IGN live cigarrette lighter ie E9's E6's etc...E46/E39 etc have permanent live.If you want the power to come on with the ignition you could in theory tap into the IGN live that goes from the HU instead.There may be other ways to do it too

 

[Sabre]

I guess a DIY is in order

Will have some time on my hands next week.

Has anyone else have experience doing this?

 

[andrewbuch]

I did it.. Fitted another female connection under the centre console & plugged my GPS charger into it. Wired it with a fuse to the radio power...

I hardwired my GPS & Cellphone chargers under the dash/centre console that leaves the cig lighter available for another gadget.

Could also try mount 2 extra power points on the back of the centre console similare to the E60 5 series has.


http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=103&highlight=gps

See post 14 for the GPS hardwirreing.. Also did not take pic of finished product.. but the cable comes out the trim to the right of the radio

Cell charger was similar except I have it coming out by the handbrake..