How Not to Wire the Tekonsha Powered Tail Light Converter to the Vehicle's Cigarette Lighter

Updated 01/15/2026 | Published 01/14/2026

Question:

Using the Tekonsha Kit 119147 on a 2014 Jetta TDi Sportwagen and looking for input and instruction information on tapping into the 12V cigarette lighter power port. Thank you!

asked by: TM

Expert Reply:

The Tekonsha Powered Tail Light Converter item # 119147KIT needs to be connected directly to the battery not the cigarette outlet. The battery provides the constate voltage the converter module needs. The cigarette outlet will not so eventually the module is going to short out.

We see this idea all the time. It's your vehicle and you can wire it in whatever way that you want. However, connecting to anything other than the battery will also void the warranty and potentially damage your VW's electrical system.

expert reply by: Jerred H

1/14/2026

Thank you - what do you think of running the power through the interior and using a circuit fuse tap?

1/14/2026

Nevermind & thank you for your time(!). Just got my power kit to go along with the Converter kit & it's explicitly saying not to connect to the fuse box either.... planning to run the power through the interior of the car & out the firewall to the battery.