Hot Center Console
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 97
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
Hot Center Console
1985 C4
I have recently started to drive this car and I noticed today that there is a focal area where it is hot to touch on the front-ward half of the ashtray cover to the right of the shifter. I suspect it is the cigarette lighter. Does any one know about this and is it possible to disconnect the cigarette lighter? I am not aware of anything else in the area that it could be.
Comments welcome
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I have recently started to drive this car and I noticed today that there is a focal area where it is hot to touch on the front-ward half of the ashtray cover to the right of the shifter. I suspect it is the cigarette lighter. Does any one know about this and is it possible to disconnect the cigarette lighter? I am not aware of anything else in the area that it could be.
Comments welcome
C
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
Pulling the courtesy fuse will kill the lighter and the lights, but not effect car functions. So pull the fuse 15 amp right side fuse panel by passenger door. Live without a radio and some lights and see if things cool down. ( can you touch the lighter it's right there)
. Now another thought, is it a stick or automatic if automatic does the shifter back light work. Could it be possible the shifter light is not in it's correct place.
. Pulling the center trim up will take less time to do then you spent reading this
. Now another thought, is it a stick or automatic if automatic does the shifter back light work. Could it be possible the shifter light is not in it's correct place.
. Pulling the center trim up will take less time to do then you spent reading this
Last edited by s carter; May 11, 2022 at 08:30 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
I'm don't think the courtesy fuse controls the shifter light, push comes to shove the cover is coming up to put hands on in that area.
. Does the problem happen with lights on as Well as off
Last edited by s carter; May 11, 2022 at 09:04 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 648
From: USA
Just pull the cigarette lighter element out of its socket! The socket cannot build any heat, if it had the potential to, it would be a dead short and blow the fuse immediately. As far as the lighter, hold the outer housing in one hand and try to push the **** in, does it move in ever so slightly? When you stop pushing, does **** return/spring back out? My guess, if it is the lighter causing your heat, is that the lighter element is stuck down in the "heat" position and cannot spring back when hot....is it rusty!? If it is the gear lens indicator bulb, be mindful of the indicator needle when taking it apart, it falls out easily and can be broken easily. The clogged catalytic converter is an excellent idea!!! Just how much heat are we talking about? Big difference between a light bulb, cigarette lighter and engine exhaust! Good luck👍
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
the converter is a very good heat source inside no doubt but that is a Large area Hot, OP is making it sound like the Hot Spot is the size of a Quarter . If it was the Lighter there would be a post my Battery is dead over night or I keep blowing a fuse.
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Joined: Dec 2021
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From: Atlanta GA
Great suggestions. It is not too hot to touch but it is warmer. I pulled the ctsy clk fuse and it seems better. I will check the assembly to see if it is stuck in the on position. Might be the case. Wouldn't mind just taking it out as no one will smoke in car but it would be nice to have it usable for phone charger etc.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
This is not the first time I have heard the Console seems hot line, most of the time its the Shifter light bulb that sucker gets hot enough you wont hold for more than a minute. As for pulling the Lighter itself then you have a hole or a live wire floating if it aint broke leave it, so loosen up the cover raise it up the few inches reach in make sure bulb is in shifter. when putting back together As previously warned take do care in indicator alignment (little fork is around the pin) finish screwing together
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 97
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From: Atlanta GA
Thanks for the input. I favor the lighter because the hot area is really in the forward right side of the console directly over the lighter plug in and not over where the gear shifter light bulb. I might remove the lighter and electrical tape the wires apart first and see if the heat goes away. I would rather not get into the shirt and fork/pin issues if I dont have to.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
To remove the lighter socket and put hands on wires requires the console top to come up and pretty much out to the point were the only thing keeping from sitting next to you in the seat is the shift ****, but for all you want to investigate and do just putting the shifter into drive will give the room you need.
. And yes you are dealing with the shifter indicator fork which is nothing of a procedure just a make sure of and don't forget otherwise you can break it or be saying damm it the needle isn't moving
. And yes you are dealing with the shifter indicator fork which is nothing of a procedure just a make sure of and don't forget otherwise you can break it or be saying damm it the needle isn't moving
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 160
From: Rio Rico, AZ
Great suggestions. It is not too hot to touch but it is warmer. I pulled the ctsy clk fuse and it seems better. I will check the assembly to see if it is stuck in the on position. Might be the case. Wouldn't mind just taking it out as no one will smoke in car but it would be nice to have it usable for phone charger etc.
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