Cigarette lighter problems

**topgearfan** · 29-11-2008,09:03 PM

Hi, this is my first post

I do not smoke or anything but i need the cigarette lighter for a sat nav system i want to purchase. I have only had the car for about 1 and a half months so i didnt know anything about this.

What the problem is that the cigarette lighter is fully pushed in, flat with the outside surface and wont come out. This should also mean the cigarette lighter doesnt work because the light around the edge is not on nor is the thing popping out.

Picture 1 : http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1802/dsc00153pn2.jpg
Picture 2 : http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/7967/dsc00154vt4.jpg

I had a quick look on the internet and found that it could be due to one of two things:
A) the lighter is working but the actual thing that comes out is stuck
B) the lighter isnt working so the it doesnt get hot and therefore doesnt pop out

I am taking it to a mechanic tomorrow most likely to check out the fuses and all of that. If this is not the problem then could you please direct me on how to go about this.

Thanks.

**snapdragon** · 29-11-2008,10:27 PM

Hello, yours in in the position it would be if it was heating.
If it was working, the centre would pop out and this would give you something to grip to pull it out and light your cigar.
As it is dead, the centre is not popping out on yours.
It can still be pulled out if you can pull the outer black plastic ring.
It is a bit stiffer to pull out when like this, but not impossible with strong finger nails or a kitchen knife.

Have you checked the fuses?
If it is not one behind the side panel you can see when you open the driver's door, it may be one hidden above the brake pedal behind the plastic trim of the dashboard under the steering wheel.