cig lighter?
01-03-2002, 09:57 PM
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cig lighter?
My cig lighter works and heats up, but I have to hold it in. Its not that big of a deal and I don't smoke anyway, but its just one more thing thats less than perfect on my car. It doesn't look like it comes out of the plastic bezel, and I'm not about to replace the whole thing for a stupid lighter. It is supposed to stay pushed in and then pop out when its hot right? Anybody have a fix for this?
01-04-2002, 11:47 PM
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Simple fix: quit smoking!! Honestly it does look like a PITA to swap out, I'm positive the rear of the plug is bolted down plus a power lead. Also try a different element first. Good Luck!!
01-05-2002, 05:19 PM
#6
Cigarette Lighters 101
Ok, a few notes... the thirdgen cigarette lighters and most others are composed of three pieces. The first is obviously the element with the ****. The **** may or may not unscrew from the element. Next is the socket, then the last is the housing. The socket goes on one side of the trim panel, and the housing goes on the other, then they screw together. So once you get the panel off it takes no tools and about 30 seconds to remove the lighter.
Now, back to the issues.
If the ACC fuse blows anything you use the lighter the lighter is shorted, get a new element or clean the socket. On firebirds its extremely common for a penny or dime to fall inside the open lighter socket and short it out.
If it doesn't stay in, someone has been using a 12V device in the socket too much... ie radar detector, cell phone charger, 14" *****, whatever the case may be. The housing is designed with two metal clips that grab the element and hold it till the heat causes them to release. So all we have to do is bend the tabs slightly to increase the tension. Be carefull since if you bridge the gap from the center contact to the housing you'll blow the ACC fuse. Work on each tab slowly, its easy to go too far.
If after working with it for awhile you can't get it, just go buy a new housing from the GM dealer or get one from a Junkyard. This is one of those things that's so insignificant its not worth messign with.
Class dismissed.
Now, back to the issues.
If the ACC fuse blows anything you use the lighter the lighter is shorted, get a new element or clean the socket. On firebirds its extremely common for a penny or dime to fall inside the open lighter socket and short it out.
If it doesn't stay in, someone has been using a 12V device in the socket too much... ie radar detector, cell phone charger, 14" *****, whatever the case may be. The housing is designed with two metal clips that grab the element and hold it till the heat causes them to release. So all we have to do is bend the tabs slightly to increase the tension. Be carefull since if you bridge the gap from the center contact to the housing you'll blow the ACC fuse. Work on each tab slowly, its easy to go too far.
If after working with it for awhile you can't get it, just go buy a new housing from the GM dealer or get one from a Junkyard. This is one of those things that's so insignificant its not worth messign with.
Class dismissed.
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01-05-2002, 10:30 PM
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Re: Cigarette Lighters 101
Originally posted by Drew
If it doesn't stay in, someone has been using a 12V device in the socket too much... ie radar detector, cell phone charger, 14" *****, whatever the case may be. The housing is designed with two metal clips that grab the element and hold it till the heat causes them to release. So all we have to do is bend the tabs slightly to increase the tension. Be carefull since if you bridge the gap from the center contact to the housing you'll blow the ACC fuse. Work on each tab slowly, its easy to go too far.
If it doesn't stay in, someone has been using a 12V device in the socket too much... ie radar detector, cell phone charger, 14" *****, whatever the case may be. The housing is designed with two metal clips that grab the element and hold it till the heat causes them to release. So all we have to do is bend the tabs slightly to increase the tension. Be carefull since if you bridge the gap from the center contact to the housing you'll blow the ACC fuse. Work on each tab slowly, its easy to go too far.
01-06-2002, 06:45 PM
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Car: 87' Firebird
Engine: 2.8L
Transmission: Standard
mine didnt work at all when i got my bird.. i just replaced the whole thing .. its not expensive at all. i dont remember how much but its really cheap
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