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Thread: DIY. Replacing cigarette lighter receptacle without taking apart half your interior

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,973
    My Cars
    2001 530i (E39) 128k

    DIY. Replacing cigarette lighter receptacle without taking apart half your interior

    Most tutorials online will have you spend hours ripping apart half your interior,
    removing shifters, housings, radio, trim, console, etc.
    Looks like a total nightmare.


    If you're looking to JUST replace your dirty and corroded cigarette lighter housing,
    here is a much simpler way, with photos!


    Using www.furiousmethod.com
    and part number 61346973037
    Part is $10 here and here


    Tools needed:
    2 large flatheads
    Hook pick tool.




    1) Remove fuse #47 from the glovebox dash.
    a) Open glovebox.
    b) Turn 2 white knobs on the roof of glovebox
    c) Drop the fuse panel down.
    d) Pull out fuse diagram.
    e) Use fuse tool to remove fuse #47





    2) There are 2 tabs securing the lighter housing.
    In the photo, the flathead is to the right of the tab/slot.
    You will press the screwdriver into the slot to push away the retaining tab.



    If you just press both tabs in, and try to pull, you will need 3 arms.


    The best way to remove is to:
    a) depress first tab with a large flathead
    b) press until one of the tabs goes flush or below.
    c) Optional: At the same time, try to wiggle the housing in place.
    Do not try to pull it out yet.
    Spin it just a bit so the tab gets caught and does not pop back into the slot


    If you feel both tabs are "sunk", then try to spin the housing.
    The best way to spin the housing is with a very long flathead (leverage)
    There are slots inside the housing you can use to pry against.



    You need both tabs pressed and the housing to spin a bit.
    Once the housing is spun, the tabs are no longer in the way, and are behind the casing now.


    Now, use a hook tool to yank the housing up and out.
    Here is a hook tool, if you've never used one.



    Checkpoint



    Now, you need to swap the wires.
    White connector goes to the small prong.
    There is not much play, and these can be tight.
    I used a flathead to pry the spade connectors off.





    Once wires are swapped, try to line up the tab slot and press it back in.
    If the tabs do not catch, spin the housing until it clicks the tabs.


    Success! If I can do this, anyone can!
    Expect this to take 30-60 minutes if you've never done this. Good luck!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    284
    My Cars
    E21, E46
    Nice job. The new part looks a lot better and excellent DIY write up!

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