[motor29]

I have read the shop manual and it is not clear on how to remove the cigarette lighter from the dash. I am trying to install a new face plate. Help?

[jim3667]

you need to unsrew the housing from the backside of the dash, picture a ball point pen and how it can be taken apart if that helps?

[motor29]

I have tried that and I don't want to break anything, are there some type of retainers that have to be pushed in or out before it's unscrewed?

[jim3667]

ITS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I MESED WITH one, i think you need to unscrew the positive wire lead terminal on the center rear of the housing, then it should come apart easy.

[paint guy]

Remove wire,then as posted above the housing will unscrew from the backside.It is made from metal that is quite thin,consequently it does not take much corrosion for the housing to become difficult to remove from the main body of the lighter.After removal,the lighter itself will come out thru the front.May have to soak it with penetrant for a couple of days if there is any corrosion present.

[68gtoMN]

Like it has been said here, the "collar" on the back of the lighter screws onto the OUTSIDE of the lighter housing. Everything you can see or feel on the lighter IS the housing. You need to insert your finger into the lighter to hold it while you spin the outer housing off of the lighter. If the entire assembly spins, you're getting nowhere.

[motor29]

Well I tried to unscrew the lighter and the front part that say's "lighter" started to crack , it must be corroded. In order to remove it I am thinking I will have to break it and replace with a new one.

[cuz68]

Remove the lighter first, Then hold the inside of the houseing as posted above take your time it will unscrew from the pas side.

[Greg Reid]

motor29, imagine a thinwalled pipe with threads on the inside. Imagine another slightly smaller thinwalled pipe with threads on the outside and a nut threaded onto the end. Imagine screwing one into the other until the nut on the smaller inside tube is tight against the larger, outside tube.
That's what you basically have with the inner protruding through from the front of the dash and the outer tightened against the back of the dash. The plastic part that you cracked is like the nut in our example and is captured against the front of the dash to help keep the inner tube from pulling through the back as the two tubes are tightened together.
Since the plastic 'LIGHTER' ring is not a nut but simply slips on, you must reach the assy from the back and unscrew the 'outer tube'.
Breaking the plastic may not help you as I'm not sure the inner tube will back through the hole even with the plastic out of the way.
Hold the inner tube stable by sticking a finger in from the front. Reach behind the dash and turn the outer tube clockwise (viewing from your perspective) to unscrew it. The inner tube will come out towards you, the outer tube will come off towards the engine compartment.

[GTOBOB]

Motor,

If you want to see what you're dealing with, visit your favorite auto parts house and look on their "Help" display. ("Help" is a popular brand that sells common parts.) Along with window cranks, grommets and other commonly replaced parts they usually have cigarette lighter assemblies. If you're not doing concours original, you'll be able to find your replacement assembly as well (but, unfortunately, not the "Lighter" bezel).

Good Luck!

[motor29]

Alot of sweat and four letter words , that is definitely the original it's STUUUUCK!

[motor29]

I just regained my composure , (I'm not letting a lighter kick my ass). I jammed the rubber handle end of my vise grips into the hole , and wallah , I just needed a little extra leverage. The bezel ring seems to be fine and useable. Now I can rest easy. HOORAH. Thanks for everyone's help and advice!

[cuz68]

good jobe i new that you could get it done.