Cigarette Lighter Removal

[angrydan]

Hey guys,

The cigarette lighter in my '92 seems to be dead. I checked all fuses and they are fine. Either there is some damage to the socket itself or the wires are not connected properly. Either way, I cannot figure out how to remove the cigarette lighter from the car.

I pulled out the ashtray and it seems like there is a screw coming up from the floor of the car holding it in. Any thoughts on how this comes out?

I guess I could wire another one elsewhere in the car, but I'd like to get the one in the dash working if possible.

Thanks!

[lee]

You are correct about the screw. you can search the forum for other responses, but most people have not been successful in getting it out...except if you or a helper have small hands and can reach in and unscrew the housing on the back side. Alternately, you can just break the plastic mount for the screw, then you'll have to glue it back somehow.

what happened to me, and several others I think, is that for some reason Subaru put a fusible link on the back of the lighter housing. If that link burns out the lighter is kaput. I got it out, then just bridged a small wire across where the link had been. Works fine now.

[rufus]

The back end of the lighter assembly is threaded. There is a stamped metal "nut" that holds it in place. With a pair of small, 90 degree angled pliers, you should be able to grab the edge of the "nut" and pull the top edge towards you. Once it is broken free, you can spin it off easily by hand.

To help you visualize this, the "nut" looks kind of like a miniature bundt cake pan, and you want to grip the outer edge of the pan that would be "up" when the cake is in the oven.



Mmmmm. Cake. Hope this helps.

-Mike