How to Remove the Car Cigarette Lighter?
2 Answers
Methods to remove the car cigarette lighter: 1. Unscrew the shell: For some cars, the cigarette lighter socket has a screw-on shell at the back, which can be unscrewed by turning it counterclockwise and reinstalled by turning it clockwise; 2. Remove screws: For some cars, the cigarette lighter socket is secured with screws at the back. Simply use a wrench to remove the screws to take it off, and reinstall by screwing them back in; 3. Remove the panel: Take off the gear shift lever panel, which is held by plastic clips. Just lift one side by hand or pry it open with a flathead screwdriver to remove the entire panel; 4. Remove panel screws: After removing the gear shift lever panel, the cigarette lighter panel door will automatically open. You will see two black screws that can be removed using an M4 hex key; 5. Remove the panel box: Simply pull out the plastic panel box of the cigarette lighter by hand. When it is pulled out about 10 cm, disconnect the wiring first to fully remove the entire box; 6. Operate the inner and outer rings: The cigarette lighter consists of an outer ring and an inner ring. When using it, press the inner ring in until it reaches a certain temperature, and it will automatically return to its original position. Then, pinch the outer ring and pull it out.
I often remove the cigarette lighter. The most important step is to turn off the car and pull out the key first, otherwise it may cause a short circuit. Simply grab the lighter head and pull it straight out—this part is the easiest. For removing the base, it depends on the car model: In my SUV, I need to pry open the decorative panel of the center console first, using a plastic pry tool to gently lift it along the edges, then locate the base's clips and press them down to remove it. For sedans, you might need to remove the side panel of the center console, using a small screwdriver to unscrew hidden screws. Be careful with the power cord connector at the back—you must press the latch to unplug it. When cleaning dust afterward, avoid using a wet cloth to wipe the socket, as it may cause rust. Before reassembling, test the lighter head to ensure it heats up properly. Last time, I didn’t install it correctly and all my effort went to waste.
