Loose in my Cigar Lighter

[mluder]

I have been having trouble using accessories - like iPod dock, phone charger - in my cigar lighter. The fit is very loose so they tend to flob around an not make good contacts.

I tried to remove the assembly but could not figure it out. I see the metal sleeve and lighter are seperate from the lighted ring but I could not get them apart and they would not come out of the console as one piece.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Steve

[Bitsyncmaster]

The OEM lighter is an odd size. They all have trouble using standard plugs to power devices. You can replace the lighter with an alternate part that is the correct size or add another correct lighter socket elsewhere.

[mluder]

Really... I had no idea. That explains alot.

So the replacement one at DMC matches the original and also will not work?
Do you happen to know a crossover part?

Steve


The OEM lighter is an odd size. They all have trouble using standard plugs to power devices. You can replace the lighter with an alternate part that is the correct size or add another correct lighter socket elsewhere.

[outatym2001]

This is based off of my memory.
What you are dealing with is the European version of the cigar / cigarette lighter. That is why it doesn’t work with your American version of the 12 volt power accessory plug.
I have read on Lotus forums where owners in North America have trouble plugging accessories into the 12v power outlet or cigarette lighter. It’s because the size is different.

You will need to read this thread below for help in finding a suitable 12v accessory plug to add to your DeLorean and leave the cigar lighter where it is.
Tapping 12v and Grounds for Aftermarket Items (GPS, Cell, iPod)
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?208-Tapping-12v-and-Grounds-for-Aftermarket-Items-(GPS-Cell-iPod)

Please see my two pictures below. No need to thank me. Just send money. Ha. Ha. Dam if my DeLorean isn’t trying to kill my checking account some times.

[Jonathan]

Try this:

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

It works beautifully, fits great, keeps the illumination feature, and current day accessories fit snug.

Credit goes to Farrar I think that found this before me a year or two ago.

[mluder]

Excellent... I like options.

Thinking I might go the route of the replacement lighter first. May be probplematic due to the forward facing orientation of the plug not playing nicely with most types of iPhone/iPod mounts.

If I don't like the way that looks then then I'll look at tapping a new location.

Cheers.
Steve

[TTait]

No no Steve - that VW unit at Gowesty is a replacement unit - it replaces the oem one. Isn't that exactly what you were looking for?

That said - the gowesty one is expensive, especially when shipped. I'd be there is a cheap cheap one available online but no one has worked it out yet.

Anyone?

[Bitsyncmaster]

Try this:

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

It works beautifully, fits great, keeps the illumination feature, and current day accessories fit snug.

Credit goes to Farrar I think that found this before me a year or two ago.

I got this one and it fits exactly correct as a replacement but is the correct US size plug. I also added a second lighter socket in my glove box that I use for my GPS.

[DavidProehl]

And if you want a cigarette lighter that looks similar to OEM (but with cigarette logo), here is one from a mid 90s Passat. This is what I have in my car:
9690

[Jonathan]

That said - the gowesty one is expensive, especially when shipped. I'd be there is a cheap cheap one available online but no one has worked it out yet.

I bought this replacement and the total to my visa shipped to Canada was $25.18. I don't consider that expensive to get exactly what you need on a 31 year old car. Especially not when considering most of us have 10's of thousands in our cars for all the other stuff.

[jawn101]

considering most of us have 10's of thousands in our cars for all the other stuff.

*Whew* glad I'm not the only one ;)

[Jonathan]

*Whew* glad I'm not the only one ;)

........my grand total is creeping up on starting with a 5. Damn that Excel summary, it doesn't forget any of the dollars. "Holy sh!t, where's the Tylenol?" lol

[TTait]

I bought this replacement and the total to my visa shipped to Canada was $25.18. I don't consider that expensive to get exactly what you need on a 31 year old car. Especially not when considering most of us have 10's of thousands in our cars for all the other stuff.


I'll put on my hypocrite hat now - on the "watch how I can fix my coolant bottle" thread I made exactly your point, and now I'm being cheap - you are right.

I priced it out a week or two back and recall it totaled $35 or so to me... I don't mind paying even $350 or more for a quality part, but to pay $35 for a part that sells for $5-10 for similar items elsewhere - I'd rather ask if there is a better deal out there.

My saving $25 or so is no big deal, but if there is a better alternative out there we can post here, saving everybody $25 is worth asking about.



Hey - wait a minute - what if I line my lighter plug with fiberglass tape so the plugs fit better? Yep - that's the answer!

[jawn101]

Hey - wait a minute - what if I line my lighter plug with fiberglass tape so the plugs fit better? Yep - that's the answer!

Hilarious. :) Sure it will look awful and the lighter won't work for lack of conductivity. But you saved a few bucks and that's what counts!!

[skill]

This is based off of my memory.
What you are dealing with is the European version of the cigar / cigarette lighter. That is why it doesn’t work with your American version of the 12 volt power accessory plug.
I have read on Lotus forums where owners in North America have trouble plugging accessories into the 12v power outlet or cigarette lighter. It’s because the size is different.

You will need to read this thread below for help in finding a suitable 12v accessory plug to add to your DeLorean and leave the cigar lighter where it is.
Tapping 12v and Grounds for Aftermarket Items (GPS, Cell, iPod)
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?208-Tapping-12v-and-Grounds-for-Aftermarket-Items-(GPS-Cell-iPod)

Please see my two pictures below. No need to thank me. Just send money. Ha. Ha. Dam if my DeLorean isn’t trying to kill my checking account some times.

I know this is an old post, but I had to just chime in... I would agree w/ outatym2001 as this green glow ring remind me of my 2002 Jaguar X-Type's cigarette lighter ring. The 02 Jaguar's (*cough*, *cough* Ford, lol) have a similar green glow ring... I'll have to compare both the x-Type and delorean rings and see if they are a close match-up.

[spikeygg]

Try this:

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

It works beautifully, fits great, keeps the illumination feature, and current day accessories fit snug.

Credit goes to Farrar I think that found this before me a year or two ago.

Thanks Jonathan (and Farrar) for sharing this. I have my console out at the moment giving it some much needed restoration and cleaning and I was able to pull the lighter out finally. It was loose and a bit rusted on the inside so I just purchased the replacement from gowesty.com. Looking forward to installing it...