how do you get the cig lighter out?
 

my cigarette lighter doesn't work, as i've found is a common problem on this car because of that tiny wire in the back. can someone put up pictures of how and what to do to get it out? i would love to charge my ipod/phone while i drive and power a gps. i don't have a 90 degree needle nose either. :[

Re: how do you get the cig lighter out?
 

The lighter is installed from the rear before the "visor" assembly is installed at the factory. You need somebody with VERY small hands to access the screws from the rear. Michelle (mnypnny) changed mine for me at Reading like 6 years ago.

Re: how do you get the cig lighter out?
 

I have fixed your post, Michael!:)

Re: how do you get the cig lighter out?
 

Low blow, keep the gloves up! (little girly gloves)

Re: how do you get the cig lighter out?
 

:confused:
Michelle has little girlie hands because she IS a little girl.
I notice these things.:D

















Don't tell Di!:eek:

Re: how do you get the cig lighter out?
 

It's a good thing Michelle doesn't come around here much anymore!

Re: how do you get the cig lighter out?
 

I'm sure Di will give him a good slap once she sees this... If not he'll at least get his 6pm smack in an hour.

Re: how do you get the cig lighter out?
 

:lol::lol::lol:

Re: how do you get the cig lighter out?
 

Little girly hands huh?? :rolleyes:

Re: how do you get the cig lighter out?
 

Well, Michelle, they are not QUITE as small and girlie as YT's hands but they sure are delicate!

TEEHEEHEEHEEHEE, Snort!:D

Re: how do you get the cig lighter out?
 

I made a few mistakes so I edited the old message. Did you check the fuse? I am assuming you did, then I would gather the following tools, Headlamps and small flashlight, Phillips head screw driver, metric socket set, and if you have one, the little mirror that dentists use to see the backside of your teeth (a very useful item for looking at tight spots).


First, I had to fix mine after the whole thing came apart after the nut/screw in the back came off. this happened as I pulled my GPS unit out and the part of the Cigarette lighter came with it.

It would have been an easy fix if I had small fingers. I will post some pictures that should help and if you want I can post a quick video to Youtube showing how to disassemble the side panel you will need to take off but its pretty simple.

Here are some things you need to know, the whole cigarette lighter unit comes in three pieces.

The first part I will call the electrical unit for lack of a better technical term, it is the part you can see normally sits in the dash and is held in by two other pieces. When you have it out it will kind of look like a spark plug and it will have threads on it. This piece should have a wire attached to it, this wire can be pulled off and reattached with ease, so check to make sure this is in place.

The second piece is a sleeve, it is gold in color and fits over the electrical unit, the sleeve can only be accessed and taken out from the back. It should have a single ground wire soldered to it, make sure this is in place. It fits around the electrical unit. It is held in place by the third component.

The third piece is a simple nut, it screws onto the electrical unit and holds the sleeve in place which in turn keeps the electrical unit firmly in place. If you can twist your cigarette lighter or move it, this screw is loose and may just need to be tightened.

The first thing I would check is what I already mentioned, make sure the unit isn't loose, if it is that could be the problem.

On the drivers side of the center console there is a plastic peiece that can be removed, it must be done with a large amount of care so it doesn't get damaged. I am trying to upload a picture but the file size is too large.

Beneath the plastic is a metal cover that can be removed using a metric socket set and phillips head screw driver. There are several screw on it, including a few in that are hidden on the top left corner.

Once this piece is removed you should be able to see the back end of the whole cigarette lighter unit. Make sure both wires are in place. If they are and the whole unit is screwed together tightly (if is not screwed together tightly the sleeve won't make and electrical connection with the electrical unit, as a result it won't work) than it should be working. I am guessing that a wire came loose or it is not screwed together tightly. If everything is in place feel free to ask more questions, but then I would tend to think it was a deeper problem with the electrics.

Re: how do you get the cig lighter out?
 

thanks! i will have to check it out later.
and yes, i did check the fuse, and it's fine. it has to be since my power mirrors still work and all too.
i'm assuming a simple wire came off, but i didn't know you could take that metal panel off to see it. i've already taken that plastic off for stereo things, so i think i can do it. i'll get back to you if it works. thanks!