DC Outlet reversed?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 292
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From: Canton (North Metro Atlanta), Georgia
2003 E500
DC Outlet reversed?
On my 2003 E500, I like to plug in my Escort 8500 and my Garmin 2720....however, I have to plug both in upside down for them to power up. Not a big deal, but on the Garmin, my speaker attaches to the insert, so the voice is often times shoot down towards the floor.
Was my port reversed, or is this normal?
Thanks,
Nick
Was my port reversed, or is this normal?
Thanks,
Nick
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 429
Likes: 1
From: New York Area
'14 E350 wagon; BMW G12 (2020) G01 (2019)
On my 2003 E500, I like to plug in my Escort 8500 and my Garmin 2720....however, I have to plug both in upside down for them to power up. Not a big deal, but on the Garmin, my speaker attaches to the insert, so the voice is often times shoot down towards the floor.
Was my port reversed, or is this normal?
Thanks,
Nick
Was my port reversed, or is this normal?
Thanks,
Nick
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Canton (North Metro Atlanta), Georgia
2003 E500
Nope, my DC outlet (cigarette lighter) will allow me to insert either way; however, it only powers on the instruments if they are plugged in the opposite way. i.e. PASSPORT reads upside down.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 429
Likes: 1
From: New York Area
'14 E350 wagon; BMW G12 (2020) G01 (2019)
Well, that means you are getting 12v from the cigarette lighter plug. That the devices will only work if upside down should have nothing to do with the plug. If the polarity was reversed, I think they'd not turn on or would blow a fuse. But maybe someone is smarter than I as it is two devices, which is puzzling.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Canton (North Metro Atlanta), Georgia
2003 E500
So can any fellow members help a man out and see for yourself? Would one of you please plug in something you have to your 12v and see if it has to go upside down?
The reason I ask is that I am 400 miles away from going out of my general warranty, so I would like to take it in ASAP. Thank you!
The reason I ask is that I am 400 miles away from going out of my general warranty, so I would like to take it in ASAP. Thank you!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
There is absolutely no way that the 12V socket in your car can be wired into your car with reversed polarity. None. It would bring down the entire car.
Also, lets assume for a minute that it could be wired in with reversed polarity. It wouldnt just make a display appear upside down. It would fry the unit or cause it to not work at all.
If the outlet in your living room were wired with the hot & neutral reversed to the outlet, would your TV display its pictures upside down? No. If the ground & the hot were reversed the TV would be fried... no upside down picture.
The problem lies with your units screen or somewhere in its set-up menu software.
Also, lets assume for a minute that it could be wired in with reversed polarity. It wouldnt just make a display appear upside down. It would fry the unit or cause it to not work at all.
If the outlet in your living room were wired with the hot & neutral reversed to the outlet, would your TV display its pictures upside down? No. If the ground & the hot were reversed the TV would be fried... no upside down picture.
The problem lies with your units screen or somewhere in its set-up menu software.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
On my 2003 E500, I like to plug in my Escort 8500 and my Garmin 2720....however, I have to plug both in upside down for them to power up. Not a big deal, but on the Garmin, my speaker attaches to the insert, so the voice is often times shoot down towards the floor. Was my port reversed, or is this normal? Thanks,
Nick
Nick
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,149
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From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
I don't think he's saying the polarity is reversed, just that he has to turn the plug 180 to make stuff power up. Usually the 12v plug has an electrode at the tip and another one on the side. Usually the orientation of the plug doesn't matter, because the socket has a ring inside to meet the electode on the side of the plug. But if the MB socket is not a complete ring but simply a smaller square of metal, the orientation of the plug becomes critical so that the circuit is completed. I'll have to look at my socket. I've never used it.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 292
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From: Canton (North Metro Atlanta), Georgia
2003 E500
Wow, that was quick. I took the car in today during my lunch, and my SA, Ron Perkins, of RBM of Atlanta took it right in. The 12v connectors (metal peices inside) were bent. He simply took a flathead screwdriver (while the car was off), and bent them back. He said it was common if there was a lot going in and out of it.
I can now play my Garmin rightside up, as well as my Passport.
I can now play my Garmin rightside up, as well as my Passport.
