Instrument Panel Cigar Lighter Operation; Cigar Lighter Relay Description And Operation; Instrument Panel Power Outlet Description And Operation - Jeep 200 Cherokee Service Manual

8E - 4 INSTRUMENT PANEL SYSTEMS
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)
switch bezel unit must be replaced. The cigar lighter
knob and heating element unit is available for ser-
vice. This component cannot be repaired and, if
faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.
OPERATION
The cigar lighter consists of two major components:
a knob and heating element unit, and the cigar
lighter base or receptacle shell. The receptacle shell
is connected to ground, and an insulated contact in
the bottom of the shell is connected to battery cur-
rent. The cigar lighter receives battery voltage from a
fuse in the junction block through the cigar lighter
relay only when the ignition switch is in the Acces-
sory or On positions. Refer to Cigar Lighter Relay
in the Description and Operation section of this
group for more information on this component.
The cigar lighter knob and heating element are
encased within a spring-loaded housing, which also
features a sliding protective heat shield. When the
knob and heating element are inserted in the recep-
tacle shell, the heating element resistor coil is
grounded through its housing to the receptacle shell.
If the cigar lighter knob is pushed inward, the heat
shield slides up toward the knob exposing the heat-
ing element, and the heating element extends from
the housing toward the insulated contact in the bot-
tom of the receptacle shell.
Two small spring-clip retainers are located on
either side of the insulated contact inside the bottom
of the receptacle shell. These clips engage and hold
the heating element against the insulated contact
long enough for the resistor coil to heat up. When the
heating element is engaged with the contact, battery
current can flow through the resistor coil to ground,
causing the resistor coil to heat.
When the resistor coil becomes sufficiently heated,
excess heat radiates from the heating element caus-
ing the spring-clips to expand. Once the spring-clips
expand far enough to release the heating element,
the spring-loaded housing forces the knob and heat-
ing element to pop back outward to their relaxed
position. When the cigar lighter knob and element
are pulled out of the receptacle shell, the protective
heat shield slides downward on the housing so that
the heating element is recessed and shielded around
its circumference for safety.
CIGAR LIGHTER RELAY
DESCRIPTION
The cigar lighter relay is an electromechanical
device that switches fused battery current to the
cigar lighter when the ignition switch is turned to
the Accessory or On positions. The cigar lighter relay
is located in the junction block, on the right cowl side
panel below the instrument panel in the passenger
compartment.
The cigar lighter relay is a International Standards
Organization (ISO) relay. Relays conforming to the
ISO specifications have common physical dimensions,
current capacities, terminal patterns, and terminal
functions.
The cigar lighter relay cannot be repaired or
adjusted and, if faulty or damaged, it must be
replaced.
OPERATION
The ISO relay consists of an electromagnetic coil, a
resistor or diode, and three (two fixed and one mov-
able) electrical contacts. The movable (common feed)
relay contact is held against one of the fixed contacts
(normally closed) by spring pressure. When the elec-
tromagnetic coil is energized, it draws the movable
contact away from the normally closed fixed contact,
and holds it against the other (normally open) fixed
contact.
When the electromagnetic coil is de-energized,
spring pressure returns the movable contact to the
normally closed position. The resistor or diode is con-
nected in parallel with the electromagnetic coil in the
relay, and helps to dissipate voltage spikes that are
produced when the coil is de-energized.
INSTRUMENT PANEL POWER OUTLET
DESCRIPTION
An accessory power outlet is standard equipment
on this model. The power outlet is installed in the
instrument panel accessory switch bezel, which is
located near the bottom of the instrument panel cen-
ter bezel area, below the heater and air conditioner
controls. The power outlet base is secured by a snap
fit within the accessory switch bezel. A plastic protec-
tive cap snaps into the power outlet base when the
power outlet is not being used, and hangs from the
power outlet base mount by an integral bail strap
while the power outlet is in use.
The power outlet receptacle unit and the accessory
power outlet protective cap are serviced only as a
part of the accessory switch bezel unit. If the power
outlet base is faulty or damaged, the entire accessory
switch bezel unit must be replaced.
OPERATION
The power outlet base or receptacle shell is con-
nected to ground, and an insulated contact in the
bottom of the shell is connected to battery current.
The power outlet receives battery voltage from a fuse
in the junction block at all times.
While the power outlet is very similar to a cigar
lighter base unit, it does not include the two small
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