Cigar lighter power?

[Stock4Evr]

2012 135i - Is the power to the cigarette lighter turned off when the car is turned off? I have a dashboard camera plugged in and do not want to drain the battery.

And what about the, I do not know what it is called, plug by the trunk opening handle where you can plug in devices to check the cars condition? I have a Palmer Performance device plugged in that provides engine performance to my iPad.

Please excuse my lack of knowing the proper names. I am just a person that enjoy this car.

[mackeroni]

Originally Posted by Stock4Evr

2012 135i - Is the power to the cigarette lighter turned off when the car is turned off? I have a dashboard camera plugged in and do not want to drain the battery.

And what about the, I do not know what it is called, plug by the trunk opening handle where you can plug in devices to check the cars condition? I have a Palmer Performance device plugged in that provides engine performance to my iPad.

Please excuse my lack of knowing the proper names. I am just a person that enjoy this car.

The socket you are using for your Palmer is the OBD II port(on board diagnostics). Personally, I wouldn't be tapping into the OBD port just to power an accessory.

[Stock4Evr]

Originally Posted by mackeroni

The socket you are using for your Palmer is the OBD II port(on board diagnostics). Personally, I wouldn't be tapping into the OBD port just to power an accessory.

I apologize for the confusion which my poorly written question caused.

Restated

Q1 - Is there power to the cigarette/cigar lighter plug turned off when the car is turned off? ( I connect a dashboard camera to this source)

Q2 - Is the power to the OBD II connection turned off when the car is turned off? ( I insert a device that sends data to an iPad).

I would like to leave the devices connected to these two power sources but not if they drain power from the battery.

Hopefully that make my questions clearer.

[NorthernDancer]

Q1: No; they are no longer "cigarette lighters", they are power points/sources, etc.
Q2: OBD II ports are always powered, however to work to diagnosis, the ignition must be in the run position. So answer here is, I don't know. I can't imagine tho, there would be any appreciable problem.

[Stock4Evr]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

Q1: No; they are no longer "cigarette lighters", they are power points/sources, etc.
Q2: OBD II ports are always powered, however to work to diagnosis, the ignition must be in the run position. So answer here is, I don't know. I can't imagine tho, there would be any appreciable problem.

Oh I like that "power points". I guess that allows them to charge more for the car. I tend to agree with you and will just keep the devices plugged in. Thank you for your reply.

[Captain Blood]

Originally Posted by Stock4Evr

2012 135i - Is the power to the cigarette lighter turned off when the car is turned off? I have a dashboard camera plugged in and do not want to drain the battery.

And what about the, I do not know what it is called, plug by the trunk opening handle where you can plug in devices to check the cars condition? I have a Palmer Performance device plugged in that provides engine performance to my iPad.

Please excuse my lack of knowing the proper names. I am just a person that enjoy this car.

the lighter/powerpoint is off when the car is off.

[inevitab1e]

Originally Posted by Real Dodger

the lighter/powerpoint is off when the car is off.

I'm not sure about that. I have a radar detector plugged into the outlet under the armrest and I have the switch turned on all the time. When I turn the car off, the detector turns off. But I think something in the DME is monitoring devices requesting power and disabling comfort access and other system functions to conserve power.

I turn the detector off completely now. If I leave it on I'll eventually have comfort access stop working and the 'increased discharge' warning.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by inevitab1e

I'm not sure about that. I have a radar detector plugged into the outlet under the armrest and I have the switch turned on all the time. When I turn the car off, the detector turns off. But I think something in the DME is monitoring devices requesting power and disabling comfort access and other system functions to conserve power.

I turn the detector off completely now. If I leave it on I'll eventually have comfort access stop working and the 'increased discharge' warning.

It's 100% accurate that when the engine is turned off, the accessories outlets are turned off. Both under the armrest and the one in the ash tray compartment.

What you have to be careful about with power being sucked down is the other systems which remain powered up for about 15 minutes after shutting down the engine. Things like the CIC system and if you set your headlights to auto, the parking lights will remain on during that time.

[inevitab1e]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

It's 100% accurate that when the engine is turned off, the accessories outlets are turned off. Both under the armrest and the one in the ash tray compartment.

What you have to be careful about with power being sucked down is the other systems which remain powered up for about 15 minutes after shutting down the engine. Things like the CIC system and if you set your headlights to auto, the parking lights will remain on during that time.

What would cause the car to wake up continuously? Movement or noise?
Headlights being set to auto?

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by inevitab1e

What would cause the car to wake up continuously? Movement or noise?
Headlights being set to auto?

Opening and closing the door and I think the trunk will wake the car up.

The auto setting is there if you have the xenon HID headlights. Setting the headlights to this setting will turn the lights on and off based on ambient lighting and will also aim the headlights into the a corner based on the amount of steering. It also controls the cornering lights. So if you have the upgraded headlights, your parking lights will stay on until you pop out your key from the dash. I also think the parking lights will immediately shut off when you exit the car. I haven't tested all the various combinations though.