Dodge Ram 1500 12V Plug Not Working (Let’s See)

A 12V plug, also known as a 12V power outlet or a car cigarette lighter, is the standard connector for supplying power to electronic appliances in automobiles, trains, and ships.

Most trucks, including the Dodge Ram 1500, have 12V plugs; the Ram 1500 has two 12V plugs.

If your Dodge Ram 1500 has 12V plugs, then they should work. If the plugs don’t work, it could be because one or all of the connectors are disconnected. If you have two or more 12V plugs and none work, they may pass through the same connector. And if it is disconnected, none of the plugs will work.

Why Is Dodge Ram 1500 12V Plug Not Working?

Most vehicles, especially modern vehicles, have 12V plugs. Often, the plugs or outlets reside in unlikely places.

 So, when looking for the outlet in your Dodge Ram, make sure you check extensively, or better still, consult the vehicle’s manual for directions.

These 12V plugs are also known as cigarette lighter plugs.

If you have one in your car, you should be able to plug in your cigarette lighter inverter, phone charger, and just about any other 12V electronic accessory.

But, of course, it will work just fine in any vehicle at all.

Thus, if your cigarette lighter power outlet isn’t working as it should or isn’t working.

Some factors could be responsible for the malfunction, such as.

#1. An Obstruction In the 12V Socket

This obstruction is a very common occurrence, especially when the vehicle manufacturers install the socket vertically into a middle console.

Positioning the socket like that makes it more likely for tiny objects to get inside and cause an obstruction. 

When non-conductive materials cause obstructions, chargers cannot make contact.

But if the obstructions are caused by conductive materials, like a small iron spoon or a coin, it can even cause the circuit to blow. 

#2. A Blown Socket

When the 12V plug doesn’t work, this is one of the most likely reasons. The fuse may be blown, and as such, the socket does not have any power at all.

Again, this could result from conductive materials making contact with the circuit.

Further, if the circuit isn’t blown, there might be some fault with the system’s wiring, and the socket is not getting any power. 

#3. Using a Faulty Charger

Yes, chargers can malfunction. It is possible that your device isn’t charging because the charger you’re using is bad.

So, you need to rule out that factor before making any conclusions.

For example, the electronics in the charger may be bad, the plug you connect to your device isn’t working, or the springs in the plug are no longer functional due to wear and tear.

#4. Disconnected Connector

If your Dodge Ram 1500 has two or more 12V plugs and none of them is working, then it could be that a connector is disconnected.

And this usually happens when all the plugs use the same connector.

So if someone inadvertently disconnects it, there will be no power going to the 12V plugs, making them malfunction or completely non-functional.

How To Fix a 12V Plug?

So, if your 12V plug isn’t working, it could be due to any of the above reasons.

If you want to fix the plug, you need to work with and rule out every possible issue.

This process in itself is not difficult and does not require any special tools.

All you need to do is follow the steps below.

#1. Look For Small Foreign Objects Inside The Socket

It is very likely that small foreign materials have found their way into the socket and are blocking conduction.

If you find any objects like food, small toys or toy parts, coins, and the like, carefully remove them with your fingers.

Please, don’t use tools with metal parts such as tweezers, screwdrivers, and the like. 

#2. Check The Socket For Power

To do this, you’ll need a test light or a voltmeter. If you’re unfamiliar with how these tools work, don’t attempt to use them; if you know how to use them, then good.

All you need to do is check if the pin on the center pin inside the cigarette lighter has power.  

If the center pin doesn’t have power, check the fuses, and if those don’t have power, then the issue will be the connections used to plug the cigarette lighter socket.

#3. Connect The Plug Into A Different Device

If you can’t use a test light or voltmeter, you may need to get another device and try it to ensure that the issue is not with your device.

For example, get a device from a friend or family member to try and see if it works. But, again, the issue is with your device, not the 12V plug.

#4. Try Plugging Your Device Charger Into Another Socket

If there are other sockets in the vehicle, plug your charger into them to ensure the fault isn’t from your charger.

If your charger doesn’t work in any of the other sockets, then the 12V plug may not cause the malfunction.

On the other hand, it could be that your charger is not working.

Does Dodge Ram 1500 12V DC Power Outlet Work Even When Vehicle Is Off?

For some vehicles, the 12V plug only works when the car’s engine is running.

Once the car shuts off, the plug also stops working, and everything connected to it stops charging.

Some customers prefer that the 12V plug remains on even when turned off, while others prefer that once the vehicle goes off, their devices should stop charging.

When you pick up your Dodge Ram 1500, check the power outlet in your vehicle.

There is usually a symbol on the outlet. For example, there is either a key symbol on the outlet or a battery symbol.

You can also check your owner’s manual to see which of the symbols is on yours.

The key symbol indicates that when you turn off the vehicle or ignition, whatever device you have connected will stop charging until the car turns on again.

On the other hand, the battery symbol shows that the device will keep charging even when you turn off the ignition as long as it is in the socket.

So, you could end up with the socket that stops charging immediately after the vehicle goes off and one that keeps charging even after the vehicle turns off.

So, if your socket continues to charge even after your vehicle turns off and you want to disable the setup, follow this simple procedure.

• If you check underneath the steering wheel, you will find a big panel.
• Take out two screws on the bottom of the panel, and the panel comes off.
• Move the fuse on the right-hand side to another location.

If the issue is a discontinued connector, you can also fix it. Check likely places where the parts of it can be.

Check the driver’s seat, the center console, and so on. And if you bought a used car, the previous owner likely disconnected it.

Conclusion

Dodge Ram 1500 usually has 12V plugs installed in the vehicle, which should work.

So, if you have a 12V plug in your car and it doesn’t work, it could be due to some minor faults.

However, these faults are fixable, and you can even do most of them yourself.

So, use this article as a guide to discern and fix any fault preventing the functioning of your 12V plug.