Cigarette Lighter Question

[littlejohn]

Hey, I have a 1991 525i.

As you all know the cigarette lighter is in a pretty bad spot for people with radar detectors. I'm sure some of you have solutions to this so I was wondering how you guys fixed this problem?

I also bought a ipod fm transmitter and I'm conisdering buying a plug-in that plugs into the cigarette lighter that makes a dual connection. So I can plug in the detector and FM transmitter. Good idea or no?

Thanks.

[tonyroc14]

People have hard-wired radar detectors. It really isnt that hard.

[John Q Public]

Plug you iPod transmitter in the rear lighter...seeing an E34s antenna is embedded in the rear glazing...it shouldn't hurt...but help your reception for it...

[kskramer]

i have the same problem...too many things to plug in and an akward position to plug them. seriously the interior of the car looks so much nicer with the ash tray closed. I saw on ebay some sockets that have multiple plug ins for pretty cheap. just search cigarette lighter adapter and they will pop up. i plan to wire one of them to the back of the old adapter. Also, i dont think my 92 525i has a rear lighter so i dunno about yours.

[slocar]

Plug you iPod transmitter in the rear lighter...seeing an E34s antenna is embedded in the rear glazing...it shouldn't hurt...but help your reception for it...You should see how well it works when you get it near the rear window... if I was gonna use one, I'd hardwire it to a ignition switched 12v in the trunk somewhere. :)

[CleanE34]

Plug you iPod transmitter in the rear lighter...seeing an E34s antenna is embedded in the rear glazing...it shouldn't hurt...but help your reception for it...

speaking of that. is it possible to remove the antenna without having a hole in the window? i really want it out so i can complete a cleaner look.

[slocar]

:confused

The antenna at the top of the window ... the curly stubby one is actually for the car phone; the actual radio antenna is embedded in the defroster ... i believe it's the bottom section of it ... or top ... i don't really remember, it's not hard to figure out; it's whichever sections don't get warm when the defroster is on.

[ladiesman217]

Hey, I have a 1991 525i.

As you all know the cigarette lighter is in a pretty bad spot for people with radar detectors. I'm sure some of you have solutions to this so I was wondering how you guys fixed this problem?

I also bought a ipod fm transmitter and I'm conisdering buying a plug-in that plugs into the cigarette lighter that makes a dual connection. So I can plug in the detector and FM transmitter. Good idea or no?

Thanks.

there is also an adapter for the flashlight charger plug to convert it to a standard lighter style power adapter...
probably be the easiest solution... that or hardwiring it.

[robmpulse]

I have a three way adapter mounted under the shifter trim....

[mikeday1036]

I moved my cig lighter...


I got a remote mount version and put it in the side of my asc box, it works great!


Now i dont punch my ashtray every time i shift while charging my phone :alright

[Qsilver7]

there is also an adapter for the flashlight charger plug to convert it to a standard lighter style power adapter...
probably be the easiest solution... that or hardwiring it.

Ditto...that's what I was gonna suggest...then I kept reading down the thread and you mentioned it. :D

The flash light receptacle (in the glove box) has a power adapter which you can get from BMW or eBay. That receptacle is also switched...so when you turn the ignition off...the power is cut...unlike the cigarette lighter socket...which remains powered. That means that you have to turn off your radar detector or risk running the battery down.

BTW, power adapter is designed to be able to be plugged and the glove box can still be closed. Here's a direct link to the part nbr & diagram: http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HJ63&mospid=47414&btnr=84_0279&hg=84&fg=95

http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/diagrams/n/n/129.png http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/30059794/Images/BMW82110004075_A.jpg

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/30059794/Images/BMW82110004075_C.jpg

[Gregs///M]

Also consider having a professional installer hardwire your accessories to your vehicles ignition system.

A good installer can hide all of the wires.

[sprintracer76]

speaking of that. is it possible to remove the antenna without having a hole in the window? i really want it out so i can complete a cleaner look.

I just removed mine and there is no hole in the window. Mine came off fairly easily with very little effort with a pliers and then removed the leftover glue with a razor blade. The exterior portion of the antennae is simply glued to the window. Without getting into the gory details on how these antenna's work , no hole is required in the window for it to work. Hope this helps.

[adamisbomb]

Ditto...that's what I was gonna suggest...then I kept reading down the thread and you mentioned it. :D

The flash light receptacle (in the glove box) has a power adapter which you can get from BMW or eBay. That receptacle is also switched...so when you turn the ignition off...the power is cut...unlike the cigarette lighter socket...which remains powered. That means that you have to turn off your radar detector or risk running the battery down.

BTW, power adapter is designed to be able to be plugged and the glove box can still be closed. Here's a direct link to the part nbr & diagram: http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HJ63&mospid=47414&btnr=84_0279&hg=84&fg=95

http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/diagrams/n/n/129.png http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/30059794/Images/BMW82110004075_A.jpg

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/30059794/Images/BMW82110004075_C.jpg

thats pretty dope. i assume no way to have it plugged in and the cord sticking out so i have gps plugged into it while my radar is on.

[Qsilver7]

thats pretty dope. i assume no way to have it plugged in and the cord sticking out so i have gps plugged into it while my radar is on.

I don't quite understand what your asking. If your GPS is plugged into it and you want your radar detector on as well...what do you have your radar detector plugged into? Or is your radar hardwired?

If you need both the radar & GPS plugged in at the same time...and you want to use the adaptor (plugged into the flashlight connector) just get another adaptor that splits into multiple recepticles and plug it into the end of the BMW power adaptor so you can run both the radar and GPS from it.

And yes, you can still CLOSE the glovebox while the BMW power adaptor is plugged in.