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12v dash outlet in 96 Legacy Outback


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So I have my new outback and one of the things I was going to tackle was hooking the 12v outlet back up, it appears it was pulled out when the previous owner took their radio out. I looked up how to hook it up (black wire to the center pole white on the side) but when I went in to do it, I was a bit confused at what I saw for wires and am hoping someone can help me out! Basically it looks like there are 4 wires (2 black, 1 white, 1 green) the 4 go into a small mess of electrical tape and at the other end of that is a black and green wire that have female connectors that will go onto the outlet, and a black and white wire that seem to have male connectors. At first I assumed the black should go to the center still and the green on the side in place of where the white would be? But then I decided to look it up before I mess anything up, but I can't find anything.

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I think the green and black that are together are for the outlet the other two are for a lamp that's above the ashtray at least how they are in my 98 OB.

 

BTW I have the OEM kit that installs two more outlets where the ashtray goes. Bought it on eBay includes the relay too lazy to install it

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i'm not a 12 volt auto electrical guru, ut i thought black was usually the ground wire.

 

you need a cheepo tester to see which wire is 12 v and which is not. i

 

once that is done the 12v wire goes on the center bottom, the side wire is the ground. the metal housing / tube is grounded.

 

the one in my 97 GT has an ''extra'' wire for some thing. ''another'' accessory maybe ? so my guess is that you have 2 wires w/ 12v.

 

the 12v wire, wires, probably have a female connector. that way if the ''accessory' is not there the wire does not flop around and ground out on the metal frame work. the ground wire does not need the same care. if some wires are female and some are male that may be a clue. if the wires have been cut / replaced / and taped back together, then all bets are off.

Edited by johnceggleston
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Ah sweet thanks everyone. Gonna go out and wire it up tonight feeling pretty safe that I'll be doing it right after the replies and someone telling me black is always ground so im sure ill be fine sticking green in the middle and black on the outside especially if thats how its supposed to be for 95-99. Now I just need to figure out how im going to plug that in after the radio is in the way haha! Figure ill have to squeeze my hand in the small opening just next to the lighter.

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First off, black is not always ground i will tell you that from experience. usually yes it is, but not always.

 

Second. the cigarete lighter has power, ground, and it also has a lighted sorrond ring on your era car. The lighted sorround is tied into the dash dimmer circuit. I HATE when someone previously owns a car and install aftermarket radio. This is what comes from that. Too many hack shops, including best buy, car toys, and circuit city (closed) simply put, is TOO MANY HACKJOBS.

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the trim piece the cig lighter is mounted in will remover pretty easily.

 

remove the cup holder above.

remove the cup holder ''tray'' the part the cup holder slides in to, 2 screws.

remove the ash tray.

remove the screws in the ''ceiling'' of the ash tray slide opening, 2 each, i think. you can feel them with you finger.

 

the wires to the lighter are a little short so it isn't like you can work in your lap, but it will be easier than reaching in through the ash tray hole.

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