How do you remove the cigarette lighter panel? (1 Viewer)

[Njck22]

May not be the issue but white with black stripe is ground or neg.

 

[gamecock2009]

May not be the issue but white with black stripe is ground or neg.

im an idiot! Thank you

 

[CORunner]

Glad I came across this thread. Just swapped mine to a USB.

 

[Lonegrasshopper]

I’m doing this now and feeling like an idiot. I think I have everything hooked up properly and just no power, and the fuse is fine that’s in the kick panel area. Any ideas?

I would recommend picking up an inexpensive multimeter. I was in the same boat as you, but the multimeter told me exactly which wire was which, and is a tool that you can use elsewhere. This is the one I picked up.

Amazon product ASIN B00KXX2OYY

 

[gregnash]

I would recommend picking up an inexpensive multimeter. I was in the same boat as you, but the multimeter told me exactly which is which, and is a tool that you can use elsewhere. This is the one I picked up.

Amazon product ASIN B00KXX2OYY

Second this... I just picked up one from Lowe's/Home Depot for close to that price. You really don't need anything super duper with a basic multimeter. Now if I could just remember how to use it when the time comes (I hate electrical!).

 

[WingNutLG]

Just a tip for those replacing their cig lighters with USB ports - you can take the factory plug and split it down the middle with a pair of wire cutters (“nippers”). The resulting two connections are still well covered and fit on the USB terminals. At least they did for my Blue Sea USB adapter.

Should save someone a whopping few minutes in cutting wires and crimping new connectors.

 

[AlexatWagan]

This thread is GREAT! It took me a while to find, but a plastic pry tool and a bit of brute force got the panel out easy peasy. I was afraid that I had remove a lot more to access the 12V sockets. Done and thanks!

 

[AlexatWagan]

Thanks to you guys I was able to make the Apple CarPlay output much cleaner and added updated USB power ports with a voltmeter to the dash. We still have three extra 12V socket outlets behind the center console in case a 12V is needed.

Thanks again!

 

[KoaKai]

Ok thanks to this thread I was able to get mine out and install my usb charger. Now I'm struggling trying to reinstall the panel. Anyone have any tips on how to get it back in?

 

[gregnash]

Ok thanks to this thread I was able to get mine out and install my usb charger. Now I'm struggling trying to reinstall the panel. Anyone have any tips on how to get it back in?

if I remember correctly, getting the bottom situated first then popping the top in seemed to be easiest. That way you can also see and manage any cables that may be in the way.

 

[KoaKai]

Ok, I gave that a try. was able to get the bottom in but now the top doesn't seem to want to clip in. feels like something is in the way but when I check the cables in the back they are all clear. Wondering if I just need to manhandle it but I'm afraid of breaking it.

 

[gregnash]

Ok, I gave that a try. was able to get the bottom in but now the top doesn't seem to want to clip in. feels like something is in the way but when I check the cables in the back they are all clear. Wondering if I just need to manhandle it but I'm afraid of breaking it.

Keep an eye on the clips as I had this happen on a different panel and one clip was slightly bent and not wanting to go into the whole properly. If I remember correctly it does take a bit of fenagling to get lined up properly.

 

[KoaKai]

Got it, you were right! Not sure which clip it was but it took a few minutes of adjusting and it finally popped in. thank you!

 

[LRscorned]

I just did this on my 2001 LX470. Here are some pictures for what I did. Hopefully this helps someone else.

Notes:
1. The reference to pulling hard is due to a couple lips on the bottom left and right of the panel. I used a plastic lever to lift each corner while pulling out; came out pretty easy this way.
2. Instead of cutting off the connector I simply took the connector housing off and reused the female sockets to plug into the back of the usb charger gadget. I covered them with liquid electrical tape before putting it all back together.


Red arrows below point to the lips I mentioned.
View attachment 2106729


I replaced the cigarette lighter in the middle with a USB charger gadget.
View attachment 2106730


You'll need to use something pointy like a box knife to get under this little tabs. It doesn't take much effort to pull them up. Once you do, you'll unlock the female sockets inside of the connector and be able to pull them out.
View attachment 2106731

I’m working on this right now. @juancho3 How did you unlock the female sockets? I got the tabs up but can get the wires out...

 

[LRscorned]

I’m working on this right now. @juancho3 How did you unlock the female sockets? I got the tabs up but can get the wires out...

Figured it out and got it all installed! I wish I could have made use of the light that illuminated the cigarette lighter, but it is now just flopping around behind it in the dash. Also learned that there is a bulb that illuminates the ashtray!

 

[GVegasG]

It was PITA to remove the 12v charger.

 

[fdxsks]

I just did this on my 2001 LX470. Here are some pictures for what I did. Hopefully this helps someone else.

Notes:
1. The reference to pulling hard is due to a couple lips on the bottom left and right of the panel. I used a plastic lever to lift each corner while pulling out; came out pretty easy this way.
2. Instead of cutting off the connector I simply took the connector housing off and reused the female sockets to plug into the back of the usb charger gadget. I covered them with liquid electrical tape before putting it all back together.


Red arrows below point to the lips I mentioned.
View attachment 2106729


I replaced the cigarette lighter in the middle with a USB charger gadget.
View attachment 2106730


You'll need to use something pointy like a box knife to get under this little tabs. It doesn't take much effort to pull them up. Once you do, you'll unlock the female sockets inside of the connector and be able to pull them out.
View attachment 2106731

I struggled to get the bottom of the thing out too. After I read your post and looked at the pic, it was simple. I stuck the trim tool in the bottom corner and rotated it like a screwdriver to apply upward leverage as I pulled out from the top. Thank you!

 

[cmw]

Just reconnected my accessory socket last night thanks to this thread.

By pulling back the top edge and prying up the bottom corners the ashtray / lighter / accessory socket panel came out without removing the console panel around the shifter (includes the cup holder).

No way it was going back in without removing that console panel. The glue-like residue of previous owner coffee spills was loosened from the edges with Windex and then careful + forceful yanking straight up got it free for an overdue bath in the sink.

While at it I pulled the backseat cup holder to wash out the hot cocoa and get it working again.

 

[RedShirtOH]

Resurrecting this great thread—thanks everyone!

I’ll be pulling this panel out soon in my 05 LX and putting in USBs to power gadgets. But I’m also thinking about doing something else with the ashtray space. Has anyone done any modifications on that? I’m wondering if I can remove it completely and rework it to fit my phone with a Qi charger underneath.

 

[fleabags]

I just did this on my 2001 LX470. Here are some pictures for what I did. Hopefully this helps someone else.

Notes:
1. The reference to pulling hard is due to a couple lips on the bottom left and right of the panel. I used a plastic lever to lift each corner while pulling out; came out pretty easy this way.
2. Instead of cutting off the connector I simply took the connector housing off and reused the female sockets to plug into the back of the usb charger gadget. I covered them with liquid electrical tape before putting it all back together.


Red arrows below point to the lips I mentioned.
View attachment 2106729


I replaced the cigarette lighter in the middle with a USB charger gadget.
View attachment 2106730


You'll need to use something pointy like a box knife to get under this little tabs. It doesn't take much effort to pull them up. Once you do, you'll unlock the female sockets inside of the connector and be able to pull them out.
View attachment 2106731

Awesome!! Doing this tomorrow!