Cigarette lighter came apart...how to gain access to console?

This is a pain! You may need to remove the console to get access to the back of the lighter. When you look inside the lighter socket there should be 2 small square holes in the metal sides 180 degrees apart. The plastic bezel has corresponding bumps that fit in the holes and hold the lighter in. Try to push them in while pulling on the lighter socket.

Center consoles usually have screws on each side and on back panel holding it in place. Remove the screws and you can lift it up over the transmission lever on floor to gain access..

• First thing to do is get an multi-meter and set it to DC Volts and see if you have continuity.
• You should have a fuse box inside the cabin of the vehicle somewhere. Look for this and check those fuses as well.
• The fact that you have more than one cigarette lighter says you have a cigarette lighter and also have an Auxiliary output. The auxiliary will have more Amps output than the regular cigarette lighter will.
• If the fuses all check out the trace the wires back with said multi-meter to see where the problem with the wiring is. I have seen the bottoms go out on them and a simple replacement fixes the problem. That's why the continuity check, trace where the power feed is failing and repair it. That's really what this will come down to. Bad socket, bad wiring, blown fuse or you have an issue with the adapter you are trying to use. Keep in mind that the actual cigarette lighter and auxiliary power output will have separate fuses because they are meant to do separate things.

• If you have any questions then leave them here for me.

• Hope this helps.
  

Check first the fuse before taking a part the console. Try the plug on another car to truly test it. Other than that it could be the wiring, bad wires or just loose ones and that would be the time to take the console apart and gain access to the wiring and the entire cigarette lighter unit.

I had this problem as well. Start by removing the small plastic plate by the emergency brake (Pull the brake up). It just pops off, Then remove the left side of the middle console that includes the cup holders and ash tray. It will loosen and you will have to manuever it to take it completely out - turn it sidways to get it out from the shifter, You will need to do this to get to the two screws holding in the front panel where the cigarette lighter is at. Using a phillips screw driver, unscrew the two screws at the very botton of the panel near where it would meet the center console. These screws are hard to get to but can be done. Once you have removed the screws, starting at the bottom, begin to remove the panel slowly as the wiring will still be attached. Unclip the emergency blinked power clip. The cigarette will have two plus that will clip off. The wiring will still be harnessed to the panel, By using a flat screw driver, you can push in the plug clips from the opposite side and the wiring plug will come out. Now you have the panel completely out. Position the cigarette holder in, the metal clip with the little handle goes to the rioght hand side in between the two plastic plugs.holding this all together, there should be a metal ring that will screw back in to hold the cigarette holder in place. once this is secure, plug in the three wiring clips and then plug in the wiring harness once you have the panel positioned to put this back in. once your wiring is back in re-mount the panel and put the two screws back in. Put in the center console molding and then put in the small molding by the parking brake.

I am a woman with no mechanical experience , so goes to show you that this is possible. Time it took me to repair - 30 mins including figuring out the panel screws etc.

before u pull panel, check for 12vdc with voltmeter inside lighter socket. If u have it, then clean contacts and/or replace lighter(not socket, wiring is fine) May save a lot of work. If you don't have voltage are you 100% sure you have right fuse and not the one below, above, or next to it? I still make mistakes with numbered fuses, which number is for which fuse. To make sure I start counting at 1.

Hello, hope this info helps...(subytech1)...Cigarette Lighter In Center Console, Removing And Installing (Vehicles Up To 10.04)

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Torque wrench V.A.G 1783

1-Cigarette lighter

• Removal:
• Remove center console.
• Turn center console - 4 - around.
• Remove two bolts - 3 - on cigarette lighter - 1 -.
• Disconnect harness connector - 2 -.
• Remove cigarette lighter - 1 - from recess - 5 -.
• Installing: Installation is reverse of removal.

2-Connector3-Screws, (2x)

• Tightening torque 2 Nm

4-Center console5-Cut-out

You can find it behind the fuse box. To access the relays. Remove the plastic cover on the cigarette lighter socket, remove the screw, and remove the ash tray to gain access to the fuses and panel whit the lighter socket. The relay is marked number 123 or 136, found all the way to the right second row.

I assume that you tried the cigarette lighter itself and didnt rely solely that the charger was working properly. When you tightened the ring on caseing did you see that the wire connected on the back of the lighter was properly attatched, sometimes a good connection loosens up especially if caseing was found to be loose.. Well assuming it was properly connected you could test the circuit with either a multimeter or 12 volt test light if power is found at connection then you problem is definetly the cigarette lighter assembly itself.. I hope this was helpful...Let me know I would appreciate it

the wire should disconnect from the lighter housing . should just pull apart. center is positive wire theoutter is the ground wire