I am in need of advice. I have purchased a used 2001 outback wagon. I did not realize you could only use a Subaru Cig. lighter in the outlet. After blowing a fuse, I read the manual and realized I needed to install an accessory power outlet. The instuctions seem simple, however, I can not figure out how to remove the gray clip in the engine compartment so that I may remove the grommet that is under the clip at the firewall so that I may cut a slit in the firewall. I would also like any advice that might make this installation easier. Thank you for your help.

You need to elaborate -- what did you plug in that blew a fuse? Was it cell phone power cord/charger? A mini-vac? An air pump? Which outlet are you talking about -- the one on the dashboard (which should be able to handle more than a cigarette lighter) or the one in the cargo area (which is definitely intended for things other than a cigarette lighter)?

 

I find it hard to believe that the usual suspects (cell phone charger, inverter w/laptop, etc.) would blow a fuse when a regular cigarette lighter would not -- cig lighter's take a lot of juice to get heated up. I have my cell phone power cord/charger plugged in all the time to the dashboard (don't think I've ever used the one in the back).

 

--K9Leader, 2000 OBW Ltd., 46K miles