How to remove cigarette lighter socket?

Why would I want to remove the cigarette light socket in my '99C4? Well, I received a nice GPS for my birthday. A Garmin Nuvi 250. It works great but there is one problem. The unit is powered by plugging into the cigarette lighter socket. But it will not seat properly in the socket, and droops down and loses contact. A friend of mine said that I needed to replace the OEM cigarette lighter socket with a "power accessory" type of socket. OK, that's fine. I'm a non-smoker and will be quite happy to do that. But it is not obvious as to how to remove the socket. Is some special kind of tool required? If anyone has done this, or knows what to do, please let me know. Thanks, ...Rickker

You can also just put some plastic electrical tape around the end of the plug and will stay in just fine.

here you go

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Holy Catfish, Statman!! I just read the entire thread on Renntech and am intimidated about the process before even starting. This procedure has clearly challenged many members. I'll give it a shot today. Thanks for sending along the link to Renntech. ...Rickker

I've done it (don't ask me how, I don't have a clue) and it doesn't take 10 hours. But it is a bugger to get out. I would try a workaround. Consider buying a splitter adapter?

Not sure why your Nuvi plug won't seat properly. I have one and it works just fine.

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there are two problems...the oem socket size is not standard (US) and the tensioning "springs" inside the socket have been known to bend. There are aftermarket socket attachments that remedy the first issue, and you can pry the "springs out to make the fit better.

I have been through this....It actually happened when i picked up my p-car from PA. I brought my GPS for the ride home and lo and behold it wouldn't fit...ugh. I didn't really have time to find the optimal solution, so I went to Radio Shack and find a replacement cable with a short socket. You can at least test it out and return it if it doesn't work. It was the iGo kit where you can buy replacement connectors. Was like $25 and came with one connector. The head lights up. It works 95%.....it does eventually wiggle itself loose, but it still works fine. I just found it on Radio Shack...you can see the head is short: Radio Shack iGo Adapter

I'm sure you could hack something up and just hardwire the cable to switched power/ground, but it won't be as elegant.

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Well, I did hack something up. It works quite well. It is just a piece of 7/8" copper pipe with the OD and IDs reworked to get a tight fit on the adaptor, and a snug fit in the receptacle. Problem solved! ...Rickker

The 99' lighter socket is too large for most power adaptors. Simply go to the dealer and buy a new cigarette lighter - it will come with the socket and a new, smaller cig lighter element. You have to destroy the old socket to get it out - but who cares, right? Removal - DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. With a small flat head screwdriver, slide the tip into one of the little rectangular punched out sections of your old lighter socket wall. (The punched out section acts as a 'catch' for the socket to remain 'stuck' in the dash face) Then, while being careful, twist the screwdriver until the socket is able to pulled right out of the dash face. If twisting the socket with the screwdriver inserted through the first hole doesn't quite get it out, go to the next punched out hole, it will then come out easily. DO NOT TRY TO PRY THE SOCKET FROM THE DASH FACE - YOU WILL ONLY MAR THE PLASTIC DASH SURFACE IN THE PROCESS AND THE SOCKET WILL STILL BE STUCK. Installation - Unplug the power wire, and plug it into your new socket. Push the new socket into the dash face - you will note that the socket is now very firmly and inextricably stuck in your dash. Reconnect the battery and 're-train' your power windows by holding the up and down switches as you run the windows up and down a complete cycle. Re-enter your radio code. On my job I noticed that my old power lead didn't fit quite as snugly on the socket lead, but it worked. Now enjoy having a snug power adaptor! Call Sunset Porsche and they will explain the lighter socket differences. A new lighter and socket is dirt cheap.

Digging up an old thread here, but ... Just did this! Holy crap is it nice to have a regular sized lighter in the car now. A bit of advice -- the sleeve that the core of the lighter fits in needs to go in first, and then the core goes in after it...DO NOT PUT THE CORE IN THE SLEEVE BEFORE IT IS IN THE DASH, this will promote tons of swearing and lots of extra work. Thanks Marlon for the extraction method, worked well.

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So you are still able to purchase this part? I got the "this part is not available" message when I tried to purchase these a few months ago, could you please provide the place and part number? Thanks in advance.

I did this in my smoking delete process, I just hacked the **** out of it

I know this is an old thread, but I have a little different technique that I use. I just replaced the lighter in my '01 996 with the USA size assembly in 10 minutes with no tools and no battery disconnect. Gently pry the trim piece containing the lighter out of the dash. I use my fingernails and a thumb wedged into the lighter socket. Disconnect power from the white socket. Carefully remove the black and green pieces by prying the clips open with a small flat screwdriver. Turn the trim piece face down in one hand where you can support. Give a smart rap on the white connector with a hammer to drive the entire lighter assembly out in one piece which includes the clear segment and the metal segment. (OK, the hammer is a tool. Just checking to see if you are following the instructions.) You're now ready to install the new unit. Mine came as separate pieces: the clear plastic light ring and the inner metal piece. I simply slid the clear plastic piece into the trim without removing the green and black bits. It will go in easily. Then I inserted the metal inner taking care to align the slots in the clear plastic. The green and black bits align themselves. Test the lighter function and check the instrument light before snapping the dash trim back into place. You can actually do it quicker than the time it took me to write it up. PM me for the address to send the 6-pack showing your eternal gratitude.

Thanks for the writeup Larry.

No need to be careful with the old unit during the removal process. It is a bugger to get out in one piece and you're not going to use it again anyway. After removing the trim ring and disconnecting the power to the rear, just take some wire cutting pliers and break it apart from the back. That will bring the R&R time down to about 5 minutes.

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+1 ... I just disconnected it and cut it out with a pair of snips. It probably took more time to open the box and grab some tools than it did to change out the ring and socket.

Just buy the upgrade replacement from Suncoast: http://suncoastparts.com/product/PK9X6LIGHTER.html It is a direct replacement. Works like a champ. The removal and reinstall is not challenging. It took me about 10 minutes.

I read everything everywhere and what I found was a lot of BS and ham fisted r&r procedures. The irritating answers about hammers and fuzzy youtube videos that didn't show anything were demoralizing. OK; so here is how it is removed. 1. Remove that green thing in one piece by using a tiny screwdriver, blade about 1/4 inch wide & very thin taper. 2. Gently lift the green slide off-it will pop off. 3. NOW THE IMPORTANT PART. Inside the aluminum part where the lighter inserts, are two small slots, about 1/8 inch by 1/4 inch. You will see clear plastic **** (dare I say it) inside these slots. These are the locks that hold it, nothing else. 4. Take that tiny screwdriver and gently insert it between the clear tit and the bottom of the cutout and gently pry it up a tad, so it swill slip over the tit. 5. Do this on bot sides (both ****) 6. Then simply push it out the front of the panel with a little wiggle. 7. The clear part will remain and that removes easily by pressing the clear tabs. 8. Press back the slot for the **** so they lock again. DONE!

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Rickker's solution seems like an easy fix....any downside electrical gurus? 10 minutes in the basement, and I have the same fix readied.

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Not an electrical guru by any means, but I recall when Escort brand radar detectors came with a plastic shim just like that. It did have notches to allow the silver spring bars to still pop out, but I don't think that is a big deal.

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ok, send me your address for that 6-pack as I'm eternally grateful. I just did this install. No hammer used in the making of this mod. I did use my trusty Harbor Freight plastic trim removal tool because my nails are too short and fragile to pry trim pieces in my old age LOL. But once apart, this was super easy. Just took my time prying off the black bulb-holder with a small screwdriver, then I just pushed on the white piece with one palm and supported the front of the entire assembly with the other palm. Oh, and getting the clear lighted assembly out was a little tricky, that is until I looked at the new one and saw where the two tabs are. I used the same trim tool, slid it around to the tabs and the rest of the "headlight assembly" (as Porsche calls it) came right out. Installation was in the reverse. Note as stated before, install just the clear piece first, the slide the inner metal sleeve into it. DONE. THANKS.