Cigarette Lighter Holder

[lazabby]

The metal cigarette lighter fits into a plastic piece in the console. How does one get the plastic piece out? I need to replace the little bulb that illuminates it. I don't want to break the plastic piece and I'm not seeing how it comes out.

[Rich]

One way to get to that bulb is to pull the console cover, the piece with the ashtray in it, and turn it over. I think the bulb is on the outside of the body of the lighter.

Corrections anybody?

[Patrick C]

Take off the shifter surround by removing the two phillips head screws. Once removed, pry up the armrest section just enough to get your hand underneath it. The plastic holder that the bulb inserts into should be able to be pulled out from the bottom of the plastic lighter assembly ring. Replace the bulb, reinsert the plastic bulb holder (making sure the metal prong is making contact with the metal part of the lighter socket) and you should be back in business. Its a very easy job.

[Jonathan]

Yes, accessed (easier) from below with the console out.

My replacement is this one from the Vanagon website. It shows the bulb housing as the black component on the edge. As a bonus, this one fits nowadays cell phone car chargers properly.

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4471

(search on their website for "illuminated lighter assembly" if the link doesn't work).

I don't really remember how the bulb goes in or out though...

23937

[outatym2001]

For those who need a picture or two to help get the Cigar Lighter metal socket out please see post number 4 in the thread below

Loose in my Cigar Lighter
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?3620-Loose-in-my-Cigar-Lighter

Jonathan thanks for posting that link to a replacement Cigar Lighter. I’m ordering one right now as I’m not happy with my existing one although I don’t plan on getting rid of my original DeLorean part.

[Bitsyncmaster]

FYI
To get the plastic ring out, just pull the metal center part first. Then the plastic ring could be removed. The metal part holds some clips in the plastic ring.

But as suggested, replacing the bulb is done from the bottom.

[David T]

Be very gentle with the plastic parts. They are old and brittle and won't take much abuse before breaking. Same bulb for the headlight switch and hazard switch so if they are burnt out too, get some extras.

[lazabby]

Bummer. I have an automatic and it's a bigger pain to disassemble to shifter in order to get the console out.

[mburshtain]

Reviving an old thread - I replaced the cigarette light bulb with no issues, however the lighter base is a little loose...
Any advice on how to tighten it?


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[mburshtain]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160512/dd1cd1b852c3b6a957b0a9303d2cf588.jpg


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[GS450-Junkie]

I had the same thing. For me, it was making sure when installed ..the bulb is sitting on the driver seat side or passenger seat side of the hole. If you are sitting in your car looking at the lighter this would be at 3 or 9 o'clock in the hole. At 6 or 12 o'clock the bulb hits the material underneath the armrest and this may force the illumination ring upwards. I took Jonathan's advice and bought the one he posted and it fits snuggly if spun correctly in the hole. I really like it. New. Clean and Crisp looking plus it will hold newer style plugs better I am told. I just wish it had an LED Bulb in it and not a regular bulb. It does get rather warm when you turn the headlight switch on. I took my bulb out and am currently looking for a replacement LED that will fit. Has anyone else done this??

I like the idea of reducing the load, and running a nice cool light in there. Once I install this thing I don't want to have to worry about it again later. I contemplated about installing it without plugging it in, but I like the idea of illumination at night.

Here's another tip....the center console armrest has metal in it, so if the wires are hooked up and you try to slide the lighter in place it will arc if you do it incorrectly. Do it in steps if you can. Green plastic ring first, pull the wires out the top, install them on the metal sleeve cylinder. Slide it in and lock it in place. You could conceivably install it all as one piece, but you will need to tilt it to get it in since the bulb sticks out on the side. This is more difficult since you need to push and rock it in, and also where you are most likely to have an arc. Tried it this way and I popped my fuse.

Not sure if this helps you.

[WHO1DMC]

Does anyone have a bulb # for the illumination ring?


Thanks Dave B.

[David T]

Does anyone have a bulb # for the illumination ring?


Thanks Dave B.

That is a tiny bulb that is not commonly available. Same bulb in the hazard and headlight switches. All of the Delorean vendors can get them along with anything else you may need. Going to be tough to find it elsewhere and probably not for any less unless you buy a quantity.

[DMC5180]

Here is a selection of LED equivalent bulbs. Green color option.


https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/instrument-cluster-gauge/filter/Base_Type,74,1,4023:
I have the 3rd style in my illumination ring. Those are also the same LEDs used in the headlight and hazard switches. It's not as bright as standard bulb for ring illumination but is okay for night conditions.


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[DMC-81]

Here is a selection of LED equivalent bulbs. Green color option.


https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/instrument-cluster-gauge/filter/Base_Type,74,1,4023:
I have the 3rd style in my illumination ring. Those are also the same LEDs used in the headlight and hazard switches. It's not as bright as standard bulb for ring illumination but is okay for night conditions.


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+1 I used the LED bulb as well.
47540
47539

[DMC5180]

Did you also find the LED to be less bright the the original? I saw that style you used and was contemplating trying it because of the side fire Chips.


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[DMC-81]

Did you also find the LED to be less bright the the original? I saw that style you used and was contemplating trying it because of the side fire Chips.


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Well, my original bulb was burned out, so I didn't compare it to an incandescent, but this LED is bright enough to locate the lighter in the dark with a full green ring, and isn't brighter than the rest of the lights in the cabin. I would buy it again.

Mind you, I like my cabin on the darker side of average.

[marcel]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160512/dd1cd1b852c3b6a957b0a9303d2cf588.jpg


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This is related , yet slightly off topic. At some previous time, I pushed the cigarette lighter down, and it didn't pop back up. How do I get it out? It sits flush, and there isn't enough of the side to grab onto.

[DMC5180]

If it didn't pop up, you probably don't have power at the socket. It takes heat from the lighter coil to release the center button.

As far as removing the lighter from the socket. I would think you should be able to get a blade edge of a knife under the black rim to pry it up enough to grab hold and remove it. Do not pry on the button itself. Once you have removed the lighter, check the socket for power. The safest way is to plug a phone charger in it and see if it lights up. You could use a DVM, but if you accidentally touch the side of the socket and center +12v you heave dead short. That's why it's safer to use a device adapter.


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[hippieman9]

Yes, accessed (easier) from below with the console out.

My replacement is this one from the Vanagon website. It shows the bulb housing as the black component on the edge. As a bonus, this one fits nowadays cell phone car chargers properly.

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4471

(search on their website for "illuminated lighter assembly" if the link doesn't work).

I don't really remember how the bulb goes in or out though...

23937

There is also one available on thebusdepot.com at http://www.busdepot.com/j10920, Its $10.

[RobotMartian]

The Gowesty unit I installed works very well. It is worth noting that I had to separate the green plastic collar from the metal socket to install it in the DeLorean. I don't believe this has to be done on the intended VW van as it wasn't mentioned in the directions that came with it. The steel they used did not want to bend and it took a while to get them apart without breaking it. If the $10 one above doesn't have that issue, I'd go that route.

[EdR5150]

Those look to be the same units available for $3 on ebay:
ebay.com/itm/401211408220 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/401211408220)
Other colors available. I used blue.

Ebay has many other non-stockish-looking power outlets starting around $1


There is also one available on thebusdepot.com at http://www.busdepot.com/j10920, Its $10.

[hippieman9]

Those look to be the same units available for $3 on ebay:
ebay.com/itm/401211408220 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/401211408220)
Other colors available. I used blue.

Ebay has many other non-stockish-looking power outlets starting around $1

Very Cool. I just saw them at the Bus Depot for $10, Didn't think that was terrible... Wasn't sure how much they were elsewhere. Mine actually works just fine, so thats cool there are options.