[dezaster6]

Hello everybody,
New to the forums and new to the Equinox world. I got a used 2008 Equinox Sport a couple of weeks ago. One thing I wish was a bit better was the power outlets available.

I've looked all around the cab and I've only found 2 plugs, one between the front seat in the console by the cup holder. And one for the backseat, situated on the console between the front seats. Does anybody know if there are any more? I've looked all over, even for one in the rear by the lift gate, but know luck.

My issue with the power outlets is that they are always on. Id like to plug my GPS into one that is only picking up power when the truck is on. Has anybody added an extra outlet? In past car's, I've used an 'Add a circuit' where I just plug into the fusebox and hard wire in an accessory or a power outlet. I think this is my best option, but I can't find a Haynes or Chilton's manual anywhere around my location to tell me which fuses are always hot or temporarily hot. Does anybody have access to the wiring diagrams for a 2008?

Thank you for all your help in advance
Cheers
dez

 

[NoobNox]

I think you'll find that most of us here have a 2010 or newer Equinox/Terrain/SRX...but there are a few first gen guys that post here and may be able to help. We have the opposite problem in that the front outlets are only powered when the ignition is on....yet the outlet in the rear cargo area is always hot.

 

[gar187er]

i have an 05....three power outlets.....reason i believe you only have 2 is because of the subwoofer in the rear......i have an extra one on the passenger side cargo area....all are hot when vehicle is off.....

theres not many fuses i can think of to tap to get acc power....too many relays in modern vehicles disrupt doing what you suggest.....

http://www.filesonic.com/file/80819739/electrical_component_locations.pdf
http://www.filesonic.com/file/80819741/wiring.pdf

theres links to pdf's of the service manuals......hope they help....best bet would be to use/get a voltohm meter and just keep trying fuses to see what kicks on with ignition...

 

[dezaster6]

Thanks for getting back to me. Looking through the forums, I noticed that in the newer Qs that the acc sockets were on accessory power.. I kinda chuckled at that because Chevy had to of decided that they thought it was best not to have a draw on the battery when the truck was off and something left plugged in- and changed the setup.

My Garmin has a nice feature that when it detects a power loss from the plug, it will auto-shut down in about 20 seconds. And when it detects power, it will turn back on. I've been plugging and unplugging into the one socket on the floor every time i stop at a place and it is pretty difficult to get to when you have the cup holders open. So, that's why I want that ACC socket ;D I'm too lazy to pick the cups up and shove the cup holders in.

I do have a couple testers that i can use to determine if/when the 'fuse' is hot. I know that my Sport doesn't have some of the add-ons that would normally run a fuse- like the sunroof and towing. I figure those will be the first places i test. finger's crossed!

Also, I'm pretty sure I don't have a subwoofer... where would it be located? I haven't found any speaker panels in the back.

Thanks for the help
cheers
dez

 

[gar187er]

dont forget all the thetas have run down protection....i wouldnt trust it though...lol....

also a garmin wont kill your battery if left plugged in for an hour or two...over night is another story though....if it does kill your battery in an hour, you need a new battery....its back pannsger side in the cargo area.....it would have vent on the trim panel over the wheel well....

 

[dezaster6]

heh, if I leave the Garmin plugged in, the bluetooth stays connected to my phone.. then I go to answer it and it runs through the unit in the car and I have to switch the phone over pretty quick like... Also, i have a suspicion that when I leave it on and i go in for the night, it assumes that the car is running and it drops my 'calculated mpg'

Thanks again for the help.. I'll post back if i get this to work
Cheers
dez

 

[dezaster6]

Update:
So, I checked the fuse box and tested some circuits out. It turns out that the sun roof fuse is hot only with ACC power. So, I wired an 'Add a Circuit' in and ran the new sockets into the glove box for now. Works great! Car on, GPS on. Car off, GPS off. Thanks for the help.

And on the other hand... I guess I should be sad that I don't have a subwoofer, a cargo area power outlet, or a sunroof. Can't win em all, eh?
Cheers
dez

 

[NoobNox]

Update:
So, I checked the fuse box and tested some circuits out. It turns out that the sun roof fuse is hot only with ACC power. So, I wired an 'Add a Circuit' in and ran the new sockets into the glove box for now. Works great! Car on, GPS on. Car off, GPS off. Thanks for the help.

And on the other hand... I guess I should be sad that I don't have a subwoofer, a cargo area power outlet, or a sunroof. Can't win em all, eh?
Cheers
dez

If it makes you feel better, the sub on my 2010 (I have the upgraded Pioneer system) is pretty small and doesn't provide a lot of clean bass at higher volumes. To make matters worse, it would be difficult to swap out for an aftermarket sub because of the "one piece" nature of the grill/sub assembly...not to mention killing the ANC feature on all models with the I4.