12v lighter plug still on when Van Parked and locked

Stephen R · Feb 11, 2017

When I plug my GPS into the 12v socket on the dash and lock the car the light indicates that the GPS is still receiving a charge. Is there anyway to make the socket not provide power when the van is locked?

Hotel California · Feb 11, 2017

It is normal , the 12v socket on dash stays live even afther taking out the key of the contact also on my 2012 SE .
Allthough some say theirs does diffrent....VW thing i guess

WelshGas · Feb 11, 2017

Stephen R said:
When I plug my GPS into the 12v socket on the dash and lock the car the light indicates that the GPS is still receiving a charge. Is there anyway to make the socket not provide power when the van is locked?

On mine the Dashtop 12v socket runs from the Leisure Batteries - Always ON.

Have you tried the 12v socket/Cigarette Lighter Socket in the Pull-Out tray. On mine that runs from the Engine Battery and is Ignition Controlled.

Freeley · Feb 11, 2017

How do you know the socket on top of the dash runs from the leisure batteries?
I only ask as the socket on my T6 transporter is always live and obviously there is no leisure battery.

WelshGas · Feb 11, 2017

Freeley said:
How do you know the socket on top of the dash runs from the leisure batteries?
I only ask as the socket on my T6 transporter is always live and obviously there is no leisure battery.

Plugged in a Voltmeter and disconnected the Starter Battery. May be different on the T6.

DM · Feb 11, 2017

I just tested all the 12V sockets in my Ocean. All are live all the time - i.e. NOT ignition controlled. I'm not sure whether they are off the engine or leisure battery though. That is obviously helpful in camping mode but does have drawbacks. I would like an ignition controlled feed for a dashcam. Can anyone suggest an easy place to pick up an ignition controlled feed that does not involve taking the dashboard apart or invalidating the warranty?

owen_h · Feb 11, 2017

Easiest place on Vag vehicles for ignition switched live is the headlight switch. That will have both ignition and permanent live wires. Access via the side panel of the dashboard (one that's only visible with door open).
If you want to pull the switch out of the housing then with it in the off position push in hard and then turn clockwise about 90 deg.

Ciki62 · Feb 11, 2017

No way. It is a feature not a bug. Same in T5.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jts46 · Feb 11, 2017

Just do as I do UNPLUG EVERYTHING, SIMPLE !!!!!!!!!

snowy55 · Feb 11, 2017

Not very safe leaving your sat nav on display when you leave your vehicle imo.

Stoneybroke · Feb 11, 2017

DM said:
I just tested all the 12V sockets in my Ocean. All are live all the time - i.e. NOT ignition controlled. I'm not sure whether they are off the engine or leisure battery though. That is obviously helpful in camping mode but does have drawbacks. I would like an ignition controlled feed for a dashcam. Can anyone suggest an easy place to pick up an ignition controlled feed that does not involve taking the dashboard apart or invalidating the warranty?

Have a look at this thread.
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/t6-fuse-number-for-dashcam.15683/
Worked for me. Got a hardwire kit for the dash cam, then piggybacked the fuse indicated in that thread. Managed to tuck wires around trim, didn't need to take anything off, except the fuse cover, which is the bottle holder in the comfort dash.
I may try another fuse as, annoyingly, the stop-start seems to restart the dash cam - probably the dip caused by the starter.

Stuart · Feb 11, 2017

WelshGas said:
On mine the Dashtop 12v socket runs from the Leisure Batteries - Always ON.

Have you tried the 12v socket/Cigarette Lighter Socket in the Pull-Out tray. On mine that runs from the Engine Battery and is Ignition Controlled.

Same here on my T6 Beach

Stephen R · Feb 12, 2017

Thanks for all the replies. I agree that unpluging it is no great hardship, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't a trick. I do tend to hide my GPS when I am out and about but not so much when its parked in the garage.