front cigarette lighter socket removal

[the1andonly]

as it says in subject i want to remove the
front cigarette lighter socket and surround without destroying it,
any ideas /advice
part 66-251
just removed the inner

lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/code=6610A&cat=a2ajra0a&vin=&imgno=.html

[ELZE]

Removed mine with a small flat balded screw driver and a pair of pointed nose pliers. Came out a treat. Only problem is that it will not go back in and stay in? Now when I pull out a plug in the whole unit comes out with it

I would be interested to know that answer to your question. Maybe its just a replacement needed.

[haydn callow]

Get your hand round the back and pull the wires/plug off.......then if you squeeze it in the right place it will push out from the back.......there are a couple of plastic lugs that compress as you push it in from the front and spring out to hold it in place.......these are the bits you need to squeeze,,,,prising it from the front will probably bust them off.......if you do that you will need a replacement unit......cheap as chips or any scrapyard.....they are nearly all the same

[ELZE]

Get your hand round the back and pull the wires/plug off.......then if you squeeze it in the right place it will push out from the back.......there are a couple of plastic lugs that compress as you push it in from the front and spring out to hold it in place.......these are the bits you need to squeeze,,,,prising it from the front will probably bust them off.......if you do that you will need a replacement unit......cheap as chips or any scrapyard.....they are nearly all the same

I think your right, I need a repalcement and the old one is floppin around like stirring soup. I will probably get the exact one from Mazda just up the road from me.

[the1andonly]

thanks haydn
any idea if the lugs are north south or east west
all ready tried sticking my hand up there, small hands required?

[the1andonly]

Just had another go
cant squeeze the back at all.
just to reiterate i am trying to remove the outer to leave a 2" hole. the inner socket has been removed.

[Simon Jones]

Do you mean the dark grey bezel around the socket? If so, that's part of the main dashboard moulding and only looks different as it's painted dark grey.

This post from Briwy shows the socket and the bezel although in these photos the plastic is not painted as is the norm: http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 89#p614924

You could use a Dremel to grind it out, but there would be no going back afterwards.

[the1andonly]

Simon
yes it is the outer bezel i was hoping to remove.
thinking about the next step
is there a way of blanking off a co** up

[Simon Jones]

What are you planning on fitting instead of the socket you've already removed?

[the1andonly]

One of the Blue gauges as in Gasy photo

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 89#p614947

[Simon Jones]

Just thought I'd update this thread as I found it while searching for info on how to remove the front lighter socket. Having taken it apart it's very easy to see how it is held in place. The metal centre section has a couple of cutouts in the side that need to be aligned to the plastic lugs in the green outer section which allows them to be squeezed into the slots so it can be withdrawn from the dashboard.

1. Remove the panel under the steering column held in place by two screws
2. Reach up and pull off the connector on the rear of the socket
3. Gently push the silver part forward as shown in the second photo below
4. This will allow the lugs which are located at 6 and 12 o'clock positions to be squeezed in from the rear and the whole lot should push out.

Removal is the reverse process but being careful to fit the unit in the correct position as it has a key in the bottom which locates with a slot in the dashboard moulding.



You can just make out the fusible link on the right hand side of the socket:



The clear green plastic outer ring looks like it should be illuminated but there is actually no bulb holder built in although it could easy be done if someone really needed the facility.

[ELZE]

well this resurrection inadvertently killed my lighter socket. Following on I purchased a new one from Mazda and fitted it. everything is fine but lately I noticed it was coming out when I removed the sat-nav plug So after reading this post I tried to twist mine into position as suggested with pointed pliers, slipped and fused everything

Just replaced the fuse and got stuff working again, now will leave well alone, got no fuses left anyway.

[helen&tony]

Hi
I did manage mine alright, once I got a good look at the rear with a mirror...but they are a tad fiddly, trying to find the "squeezy" bits
Cheers
Helen

[Simon Jones]

well this resurrection inadvertently killed my lighter socket. Following on I purchased a new one from Mazda and fitted it. everything is fine but lately I noticed it was coming out when I removed the sat-nav plug So after reading this post I tried to twist mine into position as suggested with pointed pliers, slipped and fused everything

Just replaced the fuse and got stuff working again, now will leave well alone, got no fuses left anyway.

Oops. Always worth doing anything electrical with the ignition off or battery disconnected. Having said that, I've been wiring in Parrot handsfree kit into the Volvo this morning and did all the connecting up with the power on. Living dangerously

My socket didn't require any pliers or twisting as it just needed the metal part to be pushed forward by hand from behind to allow the plastic lugs to be squeezed in.

[the1andonly]

Due to the resurection and rescent posts, i just had another look at mine.
Its been refitted but loose, a bit floppy in fact but does not fall out. Just tried the twisting lark, still the same. Pherhaps iv'e broken a lug off the green bit.
Just have to live with a floppy one