2003 Lighter socket pushed into console...
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Janesville California
2003 Lighter socket pushed into console...
I bought this car two weeks ago from a private party.
When I was looking over the car at home, I noticed the cigarette lighter socket is pushed into the console. How the heck does this happen? Anyway, any ideas on how to restore the socket back to it's normal location would be great.
When I was looking over the car at home, I noticed the cigarette lighter socket is pushed into the console. How the heck does this happen? Anyway, any ideas on how to restore the socket back to it's normal location would be great.
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Here's some info from the factory service manual:
Removal Procedure:
1. Remove the console. (You can see how to do this by going to the VetteEssentials web site and looking under installation instructions for say the shift boot.)
2. Remove the instrument panel trim plate.
3. Remove the cigar lighter from the cigar lighter housing.
4. Unscrew to remove the cigar lighter retainer from the cigar lighter housing.
5. Remove the cigar lighter housing from the instrument panel accessory trim plate.
Install Procedure:
1. Install the cigar lighter housing to the instrument panel accessory trim plate.
2. Install the cigar lighter retainer onto the cigar lighter housing.
Tighten the cigar lighter retainer to 2.8 N.m (25 lb in)
3. Install the cigar lighter to the cigar lighter housing.
4. Install the instrument panel accessory trim plate.
5. Install the console.
Just guess but I'd suspect that the cigar lighter retainer is either missing or broke. Might check that out.
Removal Procedure:
1. Remove the console. (You can see how to do this by going to the VetteEssentials web site and looking under installation instructions for say the shift boot.)
2. Remove the instrument panel trim plate.
3. Remove the cigar lighter from the cigar lighter housing.
4. Unscrew to remove the cigar lighter retainer from the cigar lighter housing.
5. Remove the cigar lighter housing from the instrument panel accessory trim plate.
Install Procedure:
1. Install the cigar lighter housing to the instrument panel accessory trim plate.
2. Install the cigar lighter retainer onto the cigar lighter housing.
Tighten the cigar lighter retainer to 2.8 N.m (25 lb in)
3. Install the cigar lighter to the cigar lighter housing.
4. Install the instrument panel accessory trim plate.
5. Install the console.
Just guess but I'd suspect that the cigar lighter retainer is either missing or broke. Might check that out.
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 80
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From: Janesville California
I don't smoke and folks do not smoke in my vehicles.
I have a cell phone, Valentine One, GPS, Ipod and my wife likes to read her Kindle, all of which need 12 VDC power.
A plug would work, but I would rather repair the damage than cover it up.
I have a cell phone, Valentine One, GPS, Ipod and my wife likes to read her Kindle, all of which need 12 VDC power.
A plug would work, but I would rather repair the damage than cover it up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,041
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From: Rockford Illinois
I just reached back behind mine as mine had the same issue. I dis connected the wiring for it and pulled it out from behind. Brought the wiring thru to the fornt re connected it and mounted the lighter.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Its easy enough to fix when the console is out and it just slots into the bezel from the front. Unfortunately, unless you can get you hand in as Blown346 suggests, you'll need to pull the console out to do the job properly. Try taking out the retaining screws and see if there's enough room to get at it. Just be careful not to damage the bezel.
Vette essentials have good instructions on their website with pictures if you decide to pull the console.
Beautiful Vert BTW
Vette essentials have good instructions on their website with pictures if you decide to pull the console.
Beautiful Vert BTW
Last edited by DeeGee; Nov 5, 2011 at 04:38 AM.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 80
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From: Janesville California
I am going to try this first. I did not think about trying to access the socket from the rear.
Last edited by HighInFiber; Nov 5, 2011 at 01:12 PM.
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From: Janesville California
I am going to have to try to take it out from the ash tray opening. No access from the back of the console. (It is about 38* in the garage. Not a great learning environment)
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Janesville California
I pulled the waterfall, console and the center dash cover to access the HVAC to repair the dim display. I unscrewed the lighter socket, inserted it back onto the dash cover and tightened it up. I have no idea how this "slipped" through the hole.
