USB Charging Ports for Button Blanks - update: fits Mirage blanks perfectly

[PityOnU]

This ****in' $15 piece of **** is proving to be the bane of my existence.

Went to redo the wiring on this thing today. For anyone else who may end up getting one of these, the spade terminals on the end of the cables really latch onto the USB charging unit very tightly. Used a pair of pliers to dislodge the connectors, and ended up slamming them into my steering column when the thing finally worked loose. Now it has a nice big, gaping gouge in it. Pull away from the steering column. Away! ****.

Second, do not do a fuse tap into anything other than the accessory port fuse (fuse 2). I moved the fuse tap onto the reverse light fuse (fuse 21?) for the better location, and I now have a check engine light. Code P1590 - TCM communication error. **** me, right? People at the local AutoZone didn't even know how to reset the codes with their scanner. FFS.

Legendarily pissed off right now.

Anyone know how to reset OBD codes without a scan tool? I saw somewhere else on the forum there was a way to do it by turning the car on and off repeatedly.

[Top_Fuel]

I saw somewhere else on the forum there was a way to do it by turning the car on and off repeatedly

Not sure what that's all about...but you aren't clearing OBD codes without a tool.

This one on Amazon will do what you need and it's only $23. Yeah...I know...it's not free. But you'll need it again sooner or later. And the next time you have a check engine light, you won't be relying on the "skilled professionals" at AutoZone to figure it out.

[PityOnU]

Not sure what that's all about...but you aren't clearing OBD codes without a tool.

This one on Amazon will do what you need and it's only $23. Yeah...I know...it's not free. But you'll need it again sooner or later. And the next time you have a check engine light, you won't be relying on the "skilled professionals" at AutoZone to figure it out.

Yeah, thanks for the pointer. I actually already ordered this one from Amazon. Hopefully it works nicely. It's a bit more expensive, but as you said, I'll probably use it again in the future so might as well get a decent one. I was impressed with the Autel TPMS unit I had got, so I figured I'll just stick with them.

FFS, though. What a mess. This is why I was reluctant to post any pictures/full recommendation on this thing until I had got some mileage on it. You never know when you start messing with the electrical system. The unit must have some feedback going back down the line. The standard accessory circuit probably has protection for that, whereas the reverse light circuit does not.

Really don't want to have to take it back to the dealer with a transmission-related issue after having just now only gotten things working properly with the non-factory-spec wheels and tires.

Poor Piddles...



Semi-related, but it seems dropping off the steering column cover is fairly straightforward (the service manual seems to list it as "step 2"), so if the scrape I put into it ends up bothering me that much I'll just do a junkyard run and pull a clean one from a crunched up Mirage.

[gone.a]

Instead of tapping into the fuze box would it somehow be possible to extend the USB cord/connector hidden in the glove box and snake it over to the backside of your device? I know the connections are different but it might help prevent electrical issues.

[PityOnU]

Instead of tapping into the fuze box would it somehow be possible to extend the USB cord/connector hidden in the glove box and snake it over to the backside of your device? I know the connections are different but it might help prevent electrical issues.

Yeah, there are multiple options that I could take. I'll try messing with it a bit more, but if everything fails then routing cables off existing fixtures seems like the way to go.

BUT! Figured I'd just try and get this working properly and document everything here for future people. Most of the things I've been able to do on my car came from information people have posted here. Was hoping to be able to give back a little.

Also, button blanks bother me

[MetroMPG]

Second, do not do a fuse tap into anything other than the accessory port fuse (fuse 2). I moved the fuse tap onto the reverse light fuse (fuse 21?) for the better location, and I now have a check engine light. Code P1590 - TCM communication error.

Yeah, the Mirage definitely does NOT like having its lightbulb circuits messed with!

Search for what happens when people try swapping in LED bulbs in the tail/brake lights. Computer freak-out.

Live & learn. Thanks for keeping us posted.

[inuvik]

Yeah, there are multiple options that I could take. I'll try messing with it a bit more, but if everything fails then routing cables off existing fixtures seems like the way to go.

BUT! Figured I'd just try and get this working properly and document everything here for future people. Most of the things I've been able to do on my car came from information people have posted here. Was hoping to be able to give back a little.

Also, button blanks bother me

Why don't you use the existing wiring for heated seats that is tucked in the center console under the cup holders? It should be there and you just need to plug in a relay and a fuse and you have 20 amps of power.

[Mark]

Why don't you use the existing wiring for heated seats that is tucked in the center console under the cup holders? It should be there and you just need to plug in a relay and a fuse and you have 20 amps of power.

Maybe I am just bad or missing the point of all this, but I just use the power accessory outlet to charge my phone. I have this item here -

https://www.ebay.com/p/1337515340?ii...BoCcxkQAvD_BwE

For those of us that are older, these outlets were used for lighting cigarettes & not much else. I guess I don't understand why someone wouldn't use what's already there to charge a cell phone? A few bucks item takes care of it.

[Eggman]

Why not replace the lighter socket with a USB power converter?

[Mark]

Why not replace the lighter socket with a USB power converter?

Exactly, that's what I don't understand? My cell phone charger has an extra USB outlet & several dual USB outlets are available. I don't see the need for splicing into wires unless really necessary.