12v outlet always 'hot'

[bob'smerlot]

On my new-to-me '04, I've noticed the 12v cigarette lighter doesn't make a good contact. I've got a 12v USB adapter in there & the 'power' light flickers. Also, apparently it's wired 'hot' all the time.

A.) Is this normal?
B.) Any slick ways to improve the contact so I can charge my phone running down the road without holding the darn thing in place? Thanks all....

[XMetal]

A) Always hot is normal. Most BMWs of this era are like that.
B) Have you tried using another plug? I don't have that issue with any plugs that I had tried.

[grannyknot]

Take a piece of fine sand paper and wrap it on the end of you finger and clean the contact at the bottom of the cylinder.
Just don't lick your finger before you do it.

[kaybat]

My 06 did that, i replaced it.Kind of a pain, but doable.

[bob'smerlot]

Thanks guys......

[SD ///M4]

After I bought my Z4 MR in 2012, I plugged a USB adapter, which didn't have a power indicator light, into the 12V port in the console and left it there. I discovered that the port was always hot when I went to pull it out one day and it fell apart in my hand. It was warm and the plastic was melting. That's a serious fire hazard!

I was surprised, because my wife's 335is Coupe, which we bought new in 2011, had a switched 12V port in the console, but as XMetal pointed out, it seems to be common with BMWs of that era.

I ended up installing a USB port into the black plastic panel directly above the ashtray and powered it from a switched 12V source.

Subsequently, my '16 M4 and my wife's '18 M3 both have switched 12V ports in the console, but they also have a switched 12V port under the glove box.