Focus Mk1 1999 12V Permanent Live?

[gavinlew]

Hi all,

Good evening,

I have just inherited a Focus MK1 1999 and have a very quick question regarding the 12v supply, it would appear the cigarette adapter is constantly on even with ignition keys removed from the vehicle?

Is this correct on a car this age , how easy would it be to change the behaviour so power is fed to the socket when the ignition is on?

Many Thanks,

Gavin

[Stoney871]

I'm pretty sure that the 12v socket on a MK1 is a switched live.

When I changed the battery in my old MK1 I used one of those memory savers plugged into the socket with the ignition off and it didn't work.

[gavinlew]

Cheers Stoney,

I presume when you say switched live, it only becomes live with the ignition ?

[Stoney871]

Yes, live when the ignition is at II but the car doesn't need to be running.

[gavinlew]

Cheers, I will check again in the morning, im pretty sure its pulling a constant live - Im using an Ankur 12v -> USB charging cable and the blue LED remains lit when keys are removed and car is locked.

[TheMcBain92]

I would disagree there as i have a 1.4 mk1 focus and 12v supply is permanent live on mine

[Stoney871]

Mine may have been modified at some point then?

[swhite87]

from my experience nearly every ford i have seen,( ka, escort, fiesta, focus, mondeo, ranger, transit) have all been permanent live at the lighter socket, by-passed mine by splicing into the switched live on the stereo loom and had no probs since i did it about a year ago (only thing i would say is that if you do it this way then add an in-line fuse just in case)

[gavinlew]

Cheers to everyone that replied, the lighter socket is permanetly live - is it a hard task to change it - I would prefer if the socket was controlled from the ignition so I can run with my wireless hotspot etc in the car.

Gavin