RAM 1500 Truck 2WD V8-5.7L VIN 2 (2006)
Auxiliary Power Outlet: Description and Operation
Power Outlet - Instrument Panel
A cigar lighter outlet is installed to the left of the center stack area in the lower instrument panel. The cigar lighter outlet is secured by a snap fit within
the bezel.
The cigar lighter outlet, plastic cap and the knob and heating element unit are available for service replacement. These components cannot be repaired
and, if inoperative or damaged, they must be replaced.
The cigar lighter consists of two major components: a knob and heating element unit, and the cigar lighter base or outlet shell. The receptacle shell is
connected to ground, and an insulated contact in the bottom of the shell is connected to battery current. The cigar lighter receives battery voltage from a
fuse in the Integrated Power Module (IPM) when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or Run positions.
The cigar lighter knob and heating element are encased within a spring-loaded housing, which also features a sliding protective heat shield. When the
knob and heating element are inserted in the outlet shell, the heating element resistor coil is grounded through its housing to the outlet shell. If the cigar
lighter knob is pushed inward, the heat shield slides up toward the knob exposing the heating element, and the heating element extends from the housing
toward the insulated contact in the bottom of the outlet shell.
Two small spring-clip retainers are located on either side of the insulated contact inside the bottom of the outlet shell. These clips engage and hold the
heating element against the insulated contact long enough for the resistor coil to heat up. When the heating element is engaged with the contact, battery
current can flow through the resistor coil to ground, causing the resistor coil to heat.
When the resistor coil becomes sufficiently heated, excess heat radiates from the heating element causing the spring-clips to expand. Once the
spring-clips expand far enough to release the heating element, the spring-loaded housing forces the knob and heating element to pop back outward to
their relaxed position. When the cigar lighter knob and element are pulled out of the outlet shell, the protective heat shield slides downward on the
housing so that the heating element is recessed and shielded around its circumference for safety.
