What to Do When the Car Cigarette Lighter Won't Pop Out?
2 Answers
Solutions for a car cigarette lighter that won't pop out: You can try pulling it out by hand, but avoid using excessive force. Gently rotate it while pulling vertically upwards. If the lighter is glowing red and functioning normally, it indicates that the spring clip in the socket is damaged. If it's not glowing red and simply won't pop out, it might be due to a blown fuse, causing the lighter to lose power and preventing it from ejecting properly. The cigarette lighter operates at 12 volts, matching the vehicle's battery voltage. Typically, the lighter has a dedicated power line connected to it, separate from other circuits, and thus has its own fuse. The correct usage method involves inserting and removing the lighter vertically without shaking it, as frequent wiggling during removal can lead to loosening, short circuits, and damage to the fuse or external devices.
As a driver with over twenty years of experience, I've seen quite a few cases where the cigarette lighter won't pop out. The usual causes are a stuck spring inside or dust clogging the socket, and occasionally a blown fuse can also render it immobile. I remember once on the highway when it suddenly got stuck—I was sweating bullets and had to pull over at a service station to check. Turned out it was just a blown fuse, and replacing it cost only a few bucks. Nowadays, when I maintain my car, I always clean the cigarette lighter socket with cotton swabs to prevent debris buildup. If you encounter a similar issue, don’t yank it forcefully—first turn off the power and check the fuse box under the dashboard. If that doesn’t work, try spraying some lubricant and gently wiggling it. If it still won’t budge, head to a repair shop ASAP to avoid short-circuiting the system and incurring higher costs. Regular cleaning and checking the lighter’s condition can save you a lot of hassle, especially since it’s now commonly used for phone charging—having it break is quite inconvenient.
