bdwells Posted April 19, 2010 Share Posted April 19, 2010 I just got my 2010 Tuxedo Black Ford Fusion about 2 weeks ago. I've discovered that both the power outlets remain on after the car is shut off. I really hate having to unplug accessories that may drain my battery if left plugged in. Does anyone know if there is an option to have them turn off or am I going to have to rewire them? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danager Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 I believe they turn off after you open one the front doors. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 You're going to have to rewire them. Both of the are connected directly to the battery through a "hot-at-all-times" circuit. You'd have to have some pretty serious accessories to drain the battery though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowball 2010 Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 I just got my 2010 Tuxedo Black Ford Fusion about 2 weeks ago. I've discovered that both the power outlets remain on after the car is shut off. I really hate having to unplug accessories that may drain my battery if left plugged in. Does anyone know if there is an option to have them turn off or am I going to have to rewire them? Hi, you know you got me thinking, although I am convinced that they shut off after a while. Reason being, last summer I plugged my daughter's DVD player for our trip to the Maritime. Every time we would stop I saw that they did not turn off but when we came back to the car they were off. So that should be the way it is with all Fusion, no? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowball 2010 Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 I believe they turn off after you open one the front doors. I'm sure you got that right..... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_clem87 Posted April 20, 2010 Share Posted April 20, 2010 (edited) I'm sure you got that right..... I always have my GPS plugged into the outlet under the radio and it stays powered constantly. When I get in the car in the morning the GPS is still on. And no... the GPS isn't running off it's own battery power. just my 2 cents Edited April 20, 2010 by the_clem87 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Hi, you know you got me thinking, although I am convinced that they shut off after a while. Reason being, last summer I plugged my daughter's DVD player for our trip to the Maritime. Every time we would stop I saw that they did not turn off but when we came back to the car they were off. So that should be the way it is with all Fusion, no? The factory wiring diagram clearly shows that they will stay on constantly, at least on a 2010. Either you have an older Fusion or your DVD is timing out by itself. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royroddey Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 I just got my 2010 Tuxedo Black Ford Fusion about 2 weeks ago. I've discovered that both the power outlets remain on after the car is shut off. I really hate having to unplug accessories that may drain my battery if left plugged in. Does anyone know if there is an option to have them turn off or am I going to have to rewire them? You are correct - the outlets will always have power. When I had my heated seats installed, I had the guy tap a power source under the dash that was key sourced. Works like a charm... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sithil Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 You are correct - the outlets will always have power. When I had my heated seats installed, I had the guy tap a power source under the dash that was key sourced. Works like a charm... 2009 Fusion SEL here. Learned the hard way to power off or unplug my radar detector when I get out the car. It will stay on constantly. Was home sick this past winter for 2 days and needed a jump to get the car started. Only had the car 4-5 months at the time. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpoffen Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 2009 Fusion SEL here. Learned the hard way to power off or unplug my radar detector when I get out the car. It will stay on constantly. Was home sick this past winter for 2 days and needed a jump to get the car started. Only had the car 4-5 months at the time. Personally I prefer them to be on all the time. I find that for the most part, Japanese vehicles turn them off with the key, but American cars don't. I use it for charging my phone and hate it when I can't leave my phone in the car to charge while I go in to a store for a while or something. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosehead Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 (edited) I can see it being useful either way, depending on what you are trying to do. It is annoying with an external GPS unit. Not only does it drain the battery, but it keeps it lit up with a big "this car contains something to steal" glow. Wouldn't it eventually cut power if the battery is getting critical though? I thought the headlights had that kind of override. I wonder if anyone sells a switch that can go between the plug and the device so you don't always have to be plugging and unplugging it... Edited July 13, 2010 by Moosehead 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 I can see it being useful either way, depending on what you are trying to do. It is annoying with an external GPS unit. Not only does it drain the battery, but it keeps it lit up with a big "this car contains something to steal" glow. Wouldn't it eventually cut power if the battery is getting critical though? I thought the headlights had that kind of override. I wonder if anyone sells a switch that can go between the plug and the device so you don't always have to be plugging and unplugging it... Yes. In the police blotter section of my Sunday paper, that's all you see: Nav units stolen from cars in which they were left visible. These are usually "smash and grab" type thefts. So you wind up with a broken window as well. There have even been reports of thefts when the unit wasn't visible. The tell- tale circle left on the windshield by the rubber suction cup was the giveaway. The Ford battery saver feature doesn't cut power to the headlights. It only cuts power to the interior and trunk lights. There are switched cigarette lighter adapters. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustydomino Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 New Fusion owner here, was having the same problem as OP. The 12V to USB adapter I have that charges my iPhone has a little LED on it that draws current even when the car is off. Can anyone recommend a 12V to USB adapter that doesn't have an indicator LED so I don't have to pull the adapter out every time I park my car? thanks, Mike 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 New Fusion owner here, was having the same problem as OP. The 12V to USB adapter I have that charges my iPhone has a little LED on it that draws current even when the car is off. Can anyone recommend a 12V to USB adapter that doesn't have an indicator LED so I don't have to pull the adapter out every time I park my car? thanks, Mike Why on earth would you need to pull out the adapter? That little LED won't pull enough power to make any difference. It would take weeks (maybe months) to drain the battery. Just leave it plugged in and don't worry about it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutnat Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Why on earth would you need to pull out the adapter? That little LED won't pull enough power to make any difference. It would take weeks (maybe months) to drain the battery. Just leave it plugged in and don't worry about it. Yeah I had my phone charger (with LED while powered) plugged in constantly for 3 years in my 2008 Fusion and never once had a dead battery. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldguy16 Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 I don't like unplugging and plugging in my radar detector all the time, since the outlets are on all the time. So what I plan to do is just run a separate wire, and run my detector to a switch, this way I have an extra outlet, everything is hidden, and just hit the switch when I get in and out of the car. Simple to do. Just go get the female cigarette plug from an autozone or something, and connect a switch to it. I think its an easy solution. Just an idea. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 If you're going to run a new wire, just connect it to a switched fuse with a fuse tap. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldguy16 Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 If you're going to run a new wire, just connect it to a switched fuse with a fuse tap. I'm not going to start messing with that quick method. Separate wire, with an in line fuse, and a switch, crimped connections, that's the longer, but safest method to go about it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I'm not going to start messing with that quick method. Separate wire, with an in line fuse, and a switch, crimped connections, that's the longer, but safest method to go about it. But it's automatic - you don't have to turn the switch off and on or forget to turn it off. You could still put another in-line fuse in the wire. Or use a relay triggered off the switched source. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leebo Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I'd go with akirby on this one as well. I'd find a fuse in the box (I'd suggest the radio fuse) and splice into that wire. Run a fused link between the wire and the outlet. When the car cuts the power to the radio out goes the outlet as well. Another option is just installing a switch between the fuse box and the stock outlets as well. This will keep it all stock, but save you the work of running new wire to the fuse box. What is your concern with akirby's method? On my 2003 Intrepid this is how the lighter came from the factory(minus the tap....it was just one wire)? If you're just running a radar then you're not going to use much juice to harm the radio anyways.....If you're running a plug in refrigerator, power inverter, or something then maybe use the stock ones just in case. I would think you're still going to run the same risk of forgetting to "hit the switch" as you would just unplugging the item in the first place? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldguy16 Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I'd go with akirby on this one as well. I'd find a fuse in the box (I'd suggest the radio fuse) and splice into that wire. Run a fused link between the wire and the outlet. When the car cuts the power to the radio out goes the outlet as well. Another option is just installing a switch between the fuse box and the stock outlets as well. This will keep it all stock, but save you the work of running new wire to the fuse box. What is your concern with akirby's method? On my 2003 Intrepid this is how the lighter came from the factory(minus the tap....it was just one wire)? If you're just running a radar then you're not going to use much juice to harm the radio anyways.....If you're running a plug in refrigerator, power inverter, or something then maybe use the stock ones just in case. I would think you're still going to run the same risk of forgetting to "hit the switch" as you would just unplugging the item in the first place? I feel that tapping into an already placed circuit is more dangerous than creating a new one. Not to mention, my dealer will probably void my entire electrical system warranty if I do it that way. Running a separate wire, in my opinion is the way to go. Fuse taps are ok, and they will work without issue, but they are a quick fix, not permanent. I'm not looking to start anything, that's just my opinion of connecting my radar detector. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 (edited) I feel that tapping into an already placed circuit is more dangerous than creating a new one. Not to mention, my dealer will probably void my entire electrical system warranty if I do it that way. Running a separate wire, in my opinion is the way to go. Fuse taps are ok, and they will work without issue, but they are a quick fix, not permanent. I'm not looking to start anything, that's just my opinion of connecting my radar detector. Hi Oldguy. :D I too am not trying to start an argument, but perhaps you can clear up a bit of confusion on my part: If I understand correctly, your plan is to run a new circuit with a manually operated on/off switch. This will allow you to manually turn your radar detector on/off with that switch when you enter/exit the car If that is the case, wouldn't it be simpler and just as easy to turn the radar detector on and off with the switch located right on the radar detector itself? If you have to flip a switch anyway, why go through the trouble of tapping into the fuse box, running wiring and installing a switch, when you can just control the radar detector with the on/off switch on the front of it (unless maybe you have a hidden system which you did not mention)? To me, flipping a switch is flipping a switch, so why not just use the one already present on the radar detector? If it is not a hidden system, then using a switched circuit as akirby and others have mentioned would seem to be a better option. Then you don't need to remember to turn any switches on/off. It will turn on/off with the ignition (or on with the ignition and off with the 10 minute accessory delay) Again, not trying to argue, just looking at things from a different perspective and offering options. Whatever you decide to do, good luck. :beerchug: Edited June 8, 2011 by bbf2530 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 I feel that tapping into an already placed circuit is more dangerous than creating a new one. Not to mention, my dealer will probably void my entire electrical system warranty if I do it that way. Running a separate wire, in my opinion is the way to go. Fuse taps are ok, and they will work without issue, but they are a quick fix, not permanent. I'm not looking to start anything, that's just my opinion of connecting my radar detector. Unless you plan to run your new wire directly to the battery then you will still be tapping into an "already placed circuit". If you don't want to use a fusetap then just splice into a switched wire behind the fuse panel. We're just trying to give you a potentially better solution. In the end it's your decision of course. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cigar3tte Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Unless you plan to run your new wire directly to the battery then you will still be tapping into an "already placed circuit". If you don't want to use a fusetap then just splice into a switched wire behind the fuse panel. We're just trying to give you a potentially better solution. In the end it's your decision of course. How would one actually do these things, such as "use a fusetap" or "splice into a switched wire"? I'm a noob in regards to fuseboxes and other electricals, but I'd like for the 12v plug inside the console to be off along with the car. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 How would one actually do these things, such as "use a fusetap" or "splice into a switched wire"? I'm a noob in regards to fuseboxes and other electricals, but I'd like for the 12v plug inside the console to be off along with the car. A fusetap simply slips into one side of a fuse under the dash and you connect your wire to that. You just need to find a fuse that's off when the ignition is off. Check the owner's manual for suitable fuses and test them. Otherwise you can find a suitable wire somewhere (using a wiring diagram and/or trial and error) and connect your wire to that one with a splice connector from Radio Shack. If you don't have some experience I would take it to a stereo shop and let them wire it for you. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.