How to Remove the Cigarette Lighter in Hyundai Santa Fe?

[LaEva]

Steps to remove the cigarette lighter in Hyundai Santa Fe: 1. For some vehicles, the base of the cigarette lighter has a threaded outer shell that can be unscrewed by turning it counterclockwise; 2. For other vehicles, the base of the cigarette lighter is secured with screws, which can be removed using a wrench to take off the base; 3. Remove the panel of the gear shift lever. This panel is held by plastic clips and can be removed by prying one side up by hand or with a flat-head screwdriver; 4. After removing the gear shift lever panel, pressing the cigarette lighter panel will automatically open it, revealing two black screws that can be removed using an M4 hex wrench; 5. Pull out the plastic housing of the cigarette lighter panel by hand; 6. The cigarette lighter consists of an outer and inner ring. Press the inner ring in when using it. Once it reaches a certain temperature, the inner ring will automatically return to its original position, allowing you to pull it out by gripping the outer ring. The Hyundai Santa Fe has body dimensions of 4930 mm in length, 1910 mm in width, and 1720 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2865 mm.

[VonAlexa]

Last time I helped a friend fix the stuck cigarette lighter in his old Santa Fe, I figured out a makeshift solution: First, disconnect the vehicle's power to avoid short-circuiting and blowing a fuse. The cigarette lighter socket is hidden behind the center console trim—don't pry it open forcefully! Use a narrow plastic pry tool and insert it along the gap of the silver decorative ring. Once you hear a click, gently lift upwards, and the cover will come off. The key is to pinch the metal clip at the base when unplugging the connector—never pull on the wires. In my case, I found a coin causing a short circuit inside. After cleaning it up, remember to align the marked slots when reassembling. The whole process took about half an hour—avoid doing it in high temperatures or humidity, and be cautious of static electricity damaging electronic components.

[Margie]

Replacing the cigarette lighter in my Santa Fe was quite a hassle. The new model has ambient lighting linked to the structure, so you need to remove two T20 screws from the center console side panel first. Important reminder: Don't use metal tools when prying off the decorative cover! I recommend buying a dedicated cigarette lighter pry bar kit online – it's only twenty bucks and comes with anti-static gloves. After unplugging the connector, I found the fuse was a MINI 15A blue type, so it's wise to keep a spare on hand. When reinstalling, make sure the sealing gasket is properly aligned to prevent water ingress during rainy days. Remember to place a towel over the AC vents to avoid scratching the piano black trim with tools.

[LeLucille]

Tips for removing the cigarette lighter: 1. Turn off the engine and remove the key, wait three minutes for the circuit to fully discharge. 2. Use your phone's flashlight to locate the notch on the edge of the lighter (usually on the driver's side in Hyundai vehicles). 3. Wrap nail clippers with tape as a temporary pry tool, align with the notch, rotate 90 degrees, and pull up. Last week, a neighbor's Santa Fe lighter got stuck with a commemorative coin inside—I easily disassembled it and found the contacts burnt black. Recommend cleaning the metal contacts with WD-40 rust remover. Also, measure the lighter socket diameter (mostly 21mm) and order a replacement online to avoid a trip to the dealership.