Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Terbs]

Hi all.
I am fitting another centre armrest to the 03 saloon. I have got the rest out easily, and disconnected the back panel that holds the cigarette lighter. The wiring is different on the new one, also the new panel is better than my old one. I therefore want to swap the cigarette lighters over, but for the life of me I can't see how to extract them.
Is the ring on the face unscrewable, then it drops out, or is it more complex than that. I don't want to force anything.
Help appreciated.

[Lazydocker]

often a couple of tags on the inside to squeeze... but don't know for certain

[Diamond Black Geezer]

They are mounted 'simply' by being clipped in, but I did one once (PFL) and it was a chronic pain to get out, and I am sure involved chopping/dremel-ing it a fair amount. But if it went in, it will come out. 

[Terbs]

That's my philosophy , DBG, but its got me flummoxed at the moment !!!!

[Diamond Black Geezer]

I think for the price of a generic 12v socket, the final decision was it would have been easier to destroy the old one, and just clip a new aftermarket one in (or perhaps use the opportunity now to fit a usb port?) than the massive faff and painful fingers which trying to remove the original safely, in one, was.

If memory serves it comes a bit but them there's the part which holds the bulb, which protrudes, and won't let the whole unit come out. All I can say is you're not really doing anything wrong, they're just a chronic pain.

Might we be entering the territory of cutting the wires - on your car's loom and the new 12v socket, and splicing them together?

[Terbs]

We could be heading that way. Both lighters are different, my existing does not have a bulb, and the new one does. The wires are different too. I think I may 'butcher' the lighter in the new panel, to give me an idea of how they surrender. As you say, worse scenario is a hole, and fit a generic one. I assume they can be picked up easily Will have to check the bay 

[amba]

Had a similar problem here as the 12 Volt cover plate was missing and I like things "just so"

Tried several methods to remove the socket body but it would not budge despite trying everything except breaking it.

My final solution was to replace the entire switch panel with a good condition replacement.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

My experience witht he evil cig lighter was my attempting to fit the springloaded 12v cover as on Vectra Cs, which we considered a nicer solution compared with the floppy rubber affair on the Omega. In the end I seem to recall the thing only budged a small amount, and we had to cut the ring on the flippy cover, in order to pass round and underneath the 12v outles bezel.

Have to say the 'get a new trim panel' or 'cut/splice the wiring to suit' solution is looking more and more likely 

[Terbs]

I have surrendered...temporarily....
I have put the existing panel onto the new armrest for now and installed back in the car. Only a five minute job to remove.
Butchery has prevailed with the new backplate, the lighter is out, and the panel is in good nick. I will source another lighter, then switch back panels later.

Thanks for all your time and input, its most appreciated

[Diamond Black Geezer]

No worries, most welcome. Some thinners and a match, followed by a mallet will ease the tension with the old lighter, later tonight. 

[Terbs]

Unfortunately, there is nothing left to set fire to
I have to admit, and it does not happen often, but I lost my rag getting it out, and once out, it was beaten to a pulp with a 4lb club hammer. Not like me, but I lost it this time.
I do feel less stressed now though

[EMD]

Unfortunately, there is nothing left to set fire to
I have to admit, and it does not happen often, but I lost my rag getting it out, and once out, it was beaten to a pulp with a 4lb club hammer. Not like me, but I lost it this time.
I do feel less stressed now though

I think this comes with age  Ive been getting worse lately and talking to myself after ive swore at any little job that becomes irritating 

[YZ250]

..........
Butchery has prevailed with the new backplate.....

You animal. 

I removed mine by using circlip pliers with the angled arms turned outwards. Put in position in the lighter socket, line up with the little black tabs about halfway down the metal barrel, squeeze pliers together and pull socket upwards. Unplug when clear of hole. 
No injuries to me, the backplate or the lighter socket. 

[Terbs]

I've only got one thing to say to you, Alan....where were you when I needed you.....no use coming on now, with your 'oh its easy' approach
The air has been rather blue here

[YZ250]

I've only got one thing to say to you, Alan....where were you when I needed you.....no use coming on now, with your 'oh its easy' approach
The air has been rather blue here

 

I saw the title and thought to myself, I know the answer to this one, and replied. I knew it was too late but thought I'd reply to get that response, and I wasn't disappointed.