Skoda Yeti - how do I stop the current to the cigarette lighter?

Quartz · 4 Sep 2014 at 17:48

I have a Skoda Yeti. I like it a lot: it has headroom and legroom. But one thing that causes me a real problem is that the cigarette lighter sockets stay permanently on. This is a problem because I don't use my car every day. Sometimes it can be several days between uses. This means I cannot leave my dashcam permanently plugged in as it will drain the battery. I know this from experience.

It also means I can't get a dashcam for the rear socket. Is there anything I can do to fix this? Ideally I'd like the power to the sockets to turn off a little after I pull the ignition key.

Fr0dders · 4 Sep 2014 at 17:53

I suspec tthe only way around this would be to get handy with a soldering iron and remove parts of trim to find a source of power that is only active when the ignition is on that you could piggy back off.

If your not comfortable with that, time to get a dash cam with an on and off switch.

AshD93 · 4 Sep 2014 at 18:04

Check Skoda forums and with Skoda themselves. Could be a simple fuse position change depending on the design. Else yeah, you could either use a switches live supply or put a relay in the live supply and then use a lower power switched live depending on your draw current.

rodenal · 4 Sep 2014 at 18:11

As above, it's possible the car istelf already has a possible fix built in for you.

Otherwise you'll need to tap it in to a switched live, or create your own manual version and stick a switch in a cubby hole/button blank for you to turn on/off yourself

Quartz · 4 Sep 2014 at 18:12

Fr0dders said:
If your not comfortable with that, time to get a dash cam with an on and off switch.

That wouldn't work for the rear-view camera.

balls · 4 Sep 2014 at 19:03

Hardwire it, and plug it into a fuse that only has power when the engine is on

Hardwire kit ~£5 mini/micro USB
Fuse tap ~£2 + Car fuses ~£0.2

Did mine last weekend, plenty of guides online

Then just run the cables, hidden behind the cars trim

matthab · 4 Sep 2014 at 19:29

Vag cars of that gen should be able to move the fuse up a slot and it will only come on when the ignitions on.

I know it's not the same car but hopefully may point you I the right direction:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=266433.0

Posting on briskoda may help.

snapdragon69 · 4 Sep 2014 at 19:34

I think the car will shut down consumers if the battery starts to drain, certainly, other VAG models do, even as far back as 2003 on some models.

MofoKilla · 4 Sep 2014 at 20:11

just unplug it ? lol

MrMoonX · 4 Sep 2014 at 20:21

Kill it with fire

m4rmite · 4 Sep 2014 at 20:29

The rear cigarette lighter will have permanent power as it thinks you want to go camping and run power all the time from it.
Its the same with megane's as a work a guy said "make sure you don't leave anything plugged in the rear socket or your battery will die"

Quartz · 4 Sep 2014 at 23:06

snapdragon69 said:
I think the car will shut down consumers if the battery starts to drain, certainly, other VAG models do, even as far back as 2003 on some models.

The Skoda will let the battery drain right away; I speak from experience.

Fuzz · 4 Sep 2014 at 23:23

What's the difficulty in extending your arm and flexing your wrist muscle slightly??
Just pull the lighter socket out.

ashrobbo · 5 Sep 2014 at 07:24

Why not wire into a switched live such as the rear wiper?

That way dashcam will turn off when ignition does.

Problem solved.