removing cigarette lighter socket

[cthulhu]

So I was pinching the 12V feed to the cigar/cigarette lighter socket to power some gauges and things which meant I had to unplug it, but there isn't enough space to get my fat fingers in there to plug it back in again. Does the whole, or part of the socket come out to make this process easier or do I need to take the whole centre console up off the floor to get at the bottom of it?

[mjb]

See the 'search' box at the top of the page?

search.php?keywords=cigarette

[cthulhu]

Cheers for the sarcasm. I actually tried that but couldn't get it to budge. Anyway, is the plug connector actually attached to the bottom of the metal socket?

[mjb]

Cheers for the sarcasm. I actually tried that but couldn't get it to budge. Anyway, is the plug connector actually attached to the bottom of the metal socket?

Sorry, having a sh*t day at work.

IIRC it's a 2-wire connector attached to the metal part then a 1-wire connector attached to the plastic surround (for illumination). The easiest way to remove is to unplug both connectors. They just pull down. Then turn the metal part anti-clockwise and pull it up, then the surround shouldn't put up much of a fight. Don't try to bring it all out in one go.

You may find it easier when putting it back to pull the wires through the hole then connect them up. Don't forget to put the surround in first and then the barrel, else you'll hear things snap.

[cthulhu]

Thanks for your help mate, much obliged. I think my biggest problem has been getting a decent grip on the metal barrel. I'll give it another try.

[teamster1975]

I ended up lifting the centre console up to get enough clearance having scratched my hands to ribbons
It will make life a hell of a lot easier, it's only 4 odd screws anyway.

[mjb]

I ended up lifting the centre console up to get enough clearance having scratched my hands to ribbons
It will make life a hell of a lot easier, it's only 4 odd screws anyway.

No need at all, it's a 2 minute job once you know a) what you're dealing with and b) to turn the metal part to release it.

BTW, I'm still having a sh*t day at work. Been here since this morning too

[teamster1975]

No need at all, it's a 2 minute job once you know a) what you're dealing with and b) to turn the metal part to release it.

I was getting pissed off with it at the time, got stuck in tunnel vision mode!

BTW, I'm still having a sh*t day at work. Been here since this morning too

That's a bit rough! What do you do?

[mjb]

BTW, I'm still having a sh*t day at work. Been here since this morning too

That's a bit rough! What do you do?

UNIX Systems Administrator and perl developer. Having some nasty database issues today that NEED to be fixed. Urgh. It's going to take ages to de-mist the windscreen when i get to go home

[teamster1975]

Having some nasty database issues today that NEED to be fixed

I don't envy you that at all. Good luck with it and don't cane the coffee too much

[mjb]

Having some nasty database issues today that NEED to be fixed

I don't envy you that at all. Good luck with it and don't cane the coffee too much

too late

[teamster1975]

Give... me... my...cofffffeeeeeeeee! Reminds me of Charlie Boorman in The Long Way Round!

Take it easy driving home if you do manage to get away

[mjb]

Take it easy driving home if you do manage to get away

I'm not at the dangerous to drive stage yet - that'll come in about 12 hours time, but I am worried about falling asleep while waiting for the screen to clear up

[teamster1975]

but I am worried about falling asleep while waiting for the screen to clear up

Wakey wakey, the screen has demisted!

[mjb]

but I am worried about falling asleep while waiting for the screen to clear up

Wakey wakey, the screen has demisted!

Actually I didn't have to worry about that. It took me that long to unfreeze the car using bottles of cold water from the bogs in the office that the windscreen was mostly clear by the time I got in to drive it

BTW, was 3am when i left work. Ouch!