Hey guys- here's one for you...

On my old Ford Explorer, the "accessory power outlet" (basically an extra cigarette lighter plug) would stay hot and continue to have power even when the key was out of the ignition switch. This was kind of convenient for charging cell phones etc. when away from the car.

My new Sequoia has 5 cigarette lighter plugs which is great but they all go cold when the key is removed. Anyone know an easy way to make some or all of these stay working even when key is removed? Thanks a bunch!

That information is available in Lon's Garage. You must however be a PAID member to view stuff in Lon's garage.

The $18 is well worth it and you can and will learn a lot more by being a paid member.

*EDIT*

Here is the link for this modification. It is called the POWER OUTLET MOD

Moderators Note: Link to The Garage has been edited, as this information is to be retained in those forums. ---- Possum

Lobo ---heres an easy way to do what you want to do. Sorry about the picture, $19.95 camera.
1) Pull redish, brown relay /right bank/second relay from front of box.
2) Make a 2" wire with a flat connection on both ends /bend in u shape.
3) install in slots vacated by relay towards front of engine.
4)Put the relay in glove box (some people call it a pistol pocket:) ) to be reinstalled later if you so desire.

Takes about 2 minutes / you can get the connectors at Radio Shack / WalMart, AutoZone--- etc

Good Luck ----Buzz

Or you could install a simple switch w/LED from Radio Shack and use it to keep the Acc. sockets On/Off. Check "My Photos".....

Power Outlet MOD works great. Does anyone know how to do a Power Outlet MOD on a 2003 Camry XLE?

I dont have a yellow relay in the "power outlet" spot. I have a brown one (see pic). I tried putting a jumper across this spot and it didnt work. What am I doing wrong?

before
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/13084

after, the jumper is in the wrong direction in this pic, it should go right to left
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/13085/password//sort/1/size/medium/cat/500/page/

I dont have a yellow relay in the "power outlet" spot. I have a brown one (see pic). I tried putting a jumper across this spot and it didnt work. What am I doing wrong?

before
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/13084

after
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/13085/password//sort/1/size/medium/cat/500/page/
You know what---I went out and looked at the relay I pulled out of my 01 and its not yellow. Dont know where i got that. Its kind of a redish- brown. sorry for the mix up. :cry: ---Buzz

Theres 4 slots. The ones toward the front and back of the truck are the biggest, and the two toward the sides of the truck are the smallest. I checked the continuity of my jumper wire and its < 1 ohm resistance. Across the 2 smaller pegs on the relay its about 103 ohms.

Which way do I put the jumper wire then?

Will this mod only work for the 2 EXTRA power sources, and not the cig lighter?

Theres 4 slots. The ones toward the front and back of the truck are the biggest, and the two toward the sides of the truck are the smallest. I checked the continuity of my jumper wire and its < 1 ohm resistance. Across the 2 smaller pegs on the relay its about 103 ohms.

Which way do I put the jumper wire then?

Will this mod only work for the 2 EXTRA power sources, and not the cig lighter?
Just looked at mine --jumper the two big slots toward the front of the engine. It will NOT make the cig lighter hot.---Buzz

Well I put the relay back in and still no juice. I think the relay is still good. But I blew the fuse for ACC 15A. So no power outlets and no radio :(

Hi ho, hi ho, to autozone I go

How big are your spade tips on your jumper wire? Ive got some pretty big ones, with yellow plastic insulation from radio shack, and they fit loosely in the big slots. Its like I need to shove another tip in there next to it to make it fit snugly. I might just do that.

Oh,and why does toyota give you room to keep extra fuses but not put any in there?

Well I put the relay back in and still no juice. I think the relay is still good. But I blew the fuse for ACC 15A. So no power outlets and no radio :(

Hi ho, hi ho, to autozone I go

How big are your spade tips on your jumper wire? Ive got some pretty big ones, with yellow plastic insulation from radio shack, and they fit loosely in the big slots. Its like I need to shove another tip in there next to it to make it fit snugly. I might just do that.

Oh,and why does toyota give you room to keep extra fuses but not put any in there?
Mine look to be about 1/4" wide. Look under the cover of your fuse box cover under your hood. There is a place with 3 spare fuses. Not sure if its the size your going to need.--Buzz

well, I went to kmart and got a 15A fuse. I put the jumper wire across the two large slots, the ones towards the front and back of the truck while the new fuse was out. Then I wedged another spade plug next to the ones with wires attached, so they fit tigher in the slots. I looked at my cellphone and it was already getting juice from the power without a fuse in there! Oh well, I put the new ACC fuse under the dash and everything works great now. Thanks buzzard and everyone! This was my first "real" mod (other than grill guard), tears are welling up in my eyes ;)

Lobo ---heres an easy way to do what you want to do. Sorry about the picture, $19.95 camera.
1) Pull redish, brown relay /right bank/second relay from front of box.
2) Make a 2" wire with a flat connection on both ends /bend in u shape.
3) install in slots vacated by relay towards front of engine.
4)Put the relay in glove box (some people call it a pistol pocket:) ) to be reinstalled later if you so desire.

Takes about 2 minutes / you can get the connectors at Radio Shack / WalMart, AutoZone--- etc

Good Luck ----Buzz

Better yet open up the relay cover with a small flat head screw drive and you'll notice a small piece of metal that flaps back and forth. (You can plug the relay back in with out the cover and have some turn the key on and off
And you will see it move). Now look on the ground for a small stick (or toothpick) and wedge it so the flap stays in touch with the metal. Then put the cover back on the relay and plug the relay in.