The rear accessory socket in my 98 Forester went dead suddenly as I was adding some air to the tires and the spare. I had a little 12V air compressor going in it and it suddenly stopped after running about 15 minutes.

 

Must be the fuse, I thought. I pulled the fuse (position 19--that is, lower right corner--behind the coin tray) but it was okay. I even plugged in a new fuse, and still the rear socket was dead. I checked and found 12 volts present on the hot fuse terminal, but there is nothing at the socket.

 

Before I try to trace the wiring out, has anyone else experienced this? What was the culprit? Is there another fuse or a weak link somewhere in series with the socket?

 

Thanks much!

You probably have an "open" somewhere between the fuse and outlet. I always suspect connections and plugs.

Does anyone out there have a wiring diagram?

edit: nevermind

You probably have an "open" somewhere between the fuse and outlet. I always suspect connections and plugs.

Does anyone out there have a wiring diagram?

Yes, it has to be an open somewhere. I just thought it really strange for it to open suddenly as though a fuse had blown, but for no apparent reason.

 

If I can get my hands on a wiring diagram, I'll have some more options for troubleshooting this thing.

Have you tried the reset button on the compressor? It may not be the socket at all!

Rear Outlet is wired completely different from the front. There is a Relay used here.

 

Power comes from fuse-19 as you have tried. Then it goes to the contacts of a relay marked Seat Heater/Rear Power Acc. From the N/O contact out it goes to the rear thru 1 large connector near the passenger front kick panel.

The relay is powered off the Acc contacts on the Ignition switch. Then thru fuse-4 to power the coil of the above relay.

I would check fuse-4 next, especially if you don't have seat heaters, you will never know it doesn't work except for the Rear Acc outlet not working, Then the relay.

The relay is 1 of a stack of 3 up behind the fuse panel. 3 relays are in this stack, this is the lowest one with a white connector. Above it is a blue connector relay and on top a red connector relay.

Hope this info helps.

Just do what I did and wire up an aftermarket socket. I put one in my center console so I could run my laptop off it. I tried using the one in the dash but I need it on 24/7 so I don't have to restart the puter when I shut the car off. I went a bit overboard with 1 guage to the battery and a scosche circut breaker but it is peace of mind when I connect my toys to it.

I used my rear plug for a fan once and the fan nuked!

 

I haven't used it since?

 

Does your compressor still work?

Glenn

82 SubaruHummer

01 Forester

Yes, the compressor works fine just as before. The socket is what died—there is no voltage on the center pin.

 

Thank you, ferret. I didn't know the circuit went through a relay and another fuse. I'll check fuse 4 next. The car does not have seat heaters (except for whoever sits in them).

 

I hate troubleshooting an electrical problem without an electrical diagram. It's like trying to work on a piece of electronic gear without a schematic!

 

I hate troubleshooting an electrical problem without an electrical diagram. It's like trying to work on a piece of electronic gear without a schematic!

Actualy, that is exactly what it is. . . The wiring diagram is a schematic for the vehicle.