C5 cigarette lighter assembly
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
C5 cigarette lighter assembly
OK, I screwed up. I replaced my front console, and part of the process involves switching over the cigarette lighter to the new bezel. The problem is, when I disassembled it, it fell apart before I could document how it came apart. I have apparently reassembled it incorrectly, because the lighter socket doesn't work, and it blows fuses. Everything else works properly...and looks great. Does anyone have a drawing, or info on reassembling the lighter? I need to know in what order the parts go onto the shaft, and whether the concave washer goes up or down. Any help would be much appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
OK, I screwed up. I replaced my front console, and part of the process involves switching over the cigarette lighter to the new bezel. The problem is, when I disassembled it, it fell apart before I could document how it came apart. I have apparently reassembled it incorrectly, because the lighter socket doesn't work, and it blows fuses. Everything else works properly...and looks great. Does anyone have a drawing, or info on reassembling the lighter? I need to know in what order the parts go onto the shaft, and whether the concave washer goes up or down. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
Thanks, I've thought about that, but I HOPE to keep it original. If I put in a generic assembly from a parts store, I'll have to splice the wiring harness...which I CAN do, but don't really wANT to...
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,757
Likes: 3,276
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Do what I did when it happened to me. Go down to your local parts store and look at how the ones they sell are put together. That will show you how yours should be. I tried looking at them online but couldn't get enough detail from the image to see. Bring your phone and snap a pic while you are there in case you forget.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
Other option just reinstall it and don't worry about function by not connecting it. Not many people want to smoke in their car. I disconnected the lighter in my Pantera since it is highly exposed and I didn't want it accidently engaged and not eject and cause overheating and damage.
Third, just get a new/another base. They are not expensive.
Good luck, can't be too many ways to reassemble it. You haven't tried the right one yet.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,757
Likes: 3,276
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Other option just reinstall it and don't worry about function by not connecting it. Not many people want to smoke in their car. I disconnected the lighter in my Pantera since it is highly exposed and I didn't want it accidently engaged and not eject and cause overheating and damage.
I went through all of this frustration when I tried to put mine back together for the first time. I finally just got fed up with trying and drove down to the parts store. I put it together in the parking lot using one of their generic lighters as a model to follow.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
Thanks...
The problem with this is that you lose the ability to use the socket as a power source. I pulled the lighter out of my car the day I bought it, but use the socket to power my radar detector.
You are correct, but the "right way" to assemble it isn't intuitive at all, which makes it very difficult to do by random reassembly.
I went through all of this frustration when I tried to put mine back together for the first time. I finally just got fed up with trying and drove down to the parts store. I put it together in the parking lot using one of their generic lighters as a model to follow.
You are correct, but the "right way" to assemble it isn't intuitive at all, which makes it very difficult to do by random reassembly.
I went through all of this frustration when I tried to put mine back together for the first time. I finally just got fed up with trying and drove down to the parts store. I put it together in the parking lot using one of their generic lighters as a model to follow.
Last edited by nwalker; Feb 23, 2014 at 06:45 PM. Reason: correct spelling...
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
not sure if this pic helps but hopefully it does... the piece on the right goes on the outside of the bezel then the piece in the middle will screw onto the back which holds everything in place then your connector snaps on the back... there are 2 tabs on the backside and your ground wire must make contact with one of those tabs so make sure one of those is in the correct position when your connector goes on... it seems real simple to me unless there is more to your problem than i think
Last edited by StingrayRebel; Feb 23, 2014 at 07:12 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Resurrection time. I have the same problem as the OP, and I have the parts just like neutron's pic, but I unscrewed the inner shaft (probably reassembled incorrectly) and when I snap on the connector, the fuse blows. I would like to have the power available for a USB adapter, which I already have, and it's location is much better than using the one under the console door. I'd prefer to have the original back, but I'm open to suggestions.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
Resurrection time. I have the same problem as the OP, and I have the parts just like neutron's pic, but I unscrewed the inner shaft (probably reassembled incorrectly) and when I snap on the connector, the fuse blows. I would like to have the power available for a USB adapter, which I already have, and it's location is much better than using the one under the console door. I'd prefer to have the original back, but I'm open to suggestions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Thanks, after a couple of words with Dennis, I realized I don't need the receptacle anyway since my new HU comes with 2 USB s. I also have the second lighter in the console that I can plug my adapter into. Turns out the old cig lighter hole will be more useful as a hole, and the cig power wire can be used for more lights!