Peaty
04-12-2003, 10:41 AM
This info was contributed by Bob Stadtherr, thanks Bob :)
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Modification to make rear power outlet on always.
Notes: The modification shown was done on my 1996 Legacy Outback. It may or may not work on other models. This modification also makes the power to the seat heaters always on, since for some bizarre reason, event though they are in different parts of the car, they share the same relay. I was not able to find any other devices that are also on this relay, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t any.
Attempt at your own risk, not my fault, sorry if it doesn’t work out, and all that.
Overview
The relay that controls power to the rear outlet is located just above the kick panel in the passenger’s side foot well. We will disconnect the relay from the harness, and then put a jumper across the harness plug to simulate a relay that is always on. There is no cutting or soldering (except making the jumper) so it can easily be undone.
Step 1.
Make a jumper. You need a short wire with 0.25” “quick disconnect” tabs. I used PC mount tabs and soldered a short wire to it in order to keep it small and tidy. You could also use crimp style terminals which are more easily available. You need the flat tab end, not the part that slides over it. If you had a strip of the right thickness of metal you could probably make the jumper out of that. Here is what I made:
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Modification to make rear power outlet on always.
Notes: The modification shown was done on my 1996 Legacy Outback. It may or may not work on other models. This modification also makes the power to the seat heaters always on, since for some bizarre reason, event though they are in different parts of the car, they share the same relay. I was not able to find any other devices that are also on this relay, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t any.
Attempt at your own risk, not my fault, sorry if it doesn’t work out, and all that.
Overview
The relay that controls power to the rear outlet is located just above the kick panel in the passenger’s side foot well. We will disconnect the relay from the harness, and then put a jumper across the harness plug to simulate a relay that is always on. There is no cutting or soldering (except making the jumper) so it can easily be undone.
Step 1.
Make a jumper. You need a short wire with 0.25” “quick disconnect” tabs. I used PC mount tabs and soldered a short wire to it in order to keep it small and tidy. You could also use crimp style terminals which are more easily available. You need the flat tab end, not the part that slides over it. If you had a strip of the right thickness of metal you could probably make the jumper out of that. Here is what I made: