Hi group:
I recently changed the wiring on my 1985 Cadillac Cimaron's cigarette lighter so that the ground side of the electric fan solenoid is grounded when I push the cigarette light in; and hense, the fan turns on. (There are some other problems with the circuitry related to the electric fan that prevent it for working normally.)
With the wiring the way it is, there's very low voltage applied thru the cigarette light so it no longer gets hot but it makes a good ground connection (like an off/on switch) and runs the radiator fan.
The above described mod seemed to work fine for a few days but all of a sudden, when I push the cigarette light in, it pops out immediately. To turn the fan on, I had to hold the lighter in; not a very convenient way to cool the car when the weather is warm here in southern Oregon.
What is causing the cigarette ligter to behave in this manner?
I took the lighter and plugged it into my other car (1995 Pontiac Grand Prix) and it stays in and works fine there.
I took the lighter from the Pontiac and plugged it into the Cimarron and it stays in and turns on the fan motor.
Is this an X-files matter? I look forward to your suggestions.
Regards, Al Gershen Grants Pass, OR snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com