cigarette lighter is crappy.

[lucky7]

hey fellas. trying to get my car ready for a trip next month. anyhow, im planning on getting a griffin ipod adapter, to play my phone and charge it and whatnot. anyhow, my cigarette lighter has a crappy ass connection. when i plug my phone charger in, the thing moves around really easily, which wouldnt be a problem. but it looses its connection if you look at it funny... i was on pelican parts looking for a new unit, but i cant seem to find it. i'd like to replace the entire unit if at all possible. i just need some help finding exactly what i need.

from searching, i tried to bend out the prongs so that i get a better connection, but it didnt work out like i had hoped. anyhow, any help would be GREATLY appreciated. thanks guys.

[StereoInstaller1]

Get a cigarette lighter socket and "hardwire" it in.

[lucky7]

is that what the technical term is? im having a hard time finding it. lol, this is what i need.



thanks.

[lucky7]

durr, i found one on bav auto. "socket" was the word i was looking for, thanks!

this can be locked. thank you.

[StereoInstaller1]

Do NOT buy a vehicle specific one, especially a European one.

Go to radio shack, they should have a generic "power port" type, not intended for cigarette lighter use.

[mitch500]

when mine was loose and not working prooperly, i pulled the fuse for the lighter socket... stuck a flat head in the hole and bent the 2 tabs in side the hole inward just slightly... after that my lighter got red hot, and when i stuck my phone charger in it stayed nice and firm in there... give it a try befor buying a new one.

[StereoInstaller1]

I just can't stand having shit tons of wire roaming freely in my car...so I bury that crap and hide the connectors.

[Cha Ching]

Do NOT buy a vehicle specific one, especially a European one.

Go to radio shack, they should have a generic "power port" type, not intended for cigarette lighter use.

But what if I want to retain the ability to 'light one up'? Then again, I also keep a lighter in the car at all times. You never know when someone is going to toss you one of Castro's finest!

StereoInstaller, is the generic Radio Shack power port esy to wire up?

[bimmer_E30]

when mine was loose and not working prooperly, i pulled the fuse for the lighter socket... stuck a flat head in the hole and bent the 2 tabs in side the hole inward just slightly... after that my lighter got red hot, and when i stuck my phone charger in it stayed nice and firm in there... give it a try befor buying a new one.

whats the fuse number for the sig lighter? mine doesnt work :(

[E30Nova]

when mine was loose and not working prooperly, i pulled the fuse for the lighter socket... stuck a flat head in the hole and bent the 2 tabs in side the hole inward just slightly... after that my lighter got red hot, and when i stuck my phone charger in it stayed nice and firm in there... give it a try befor buying a new one.

Exactly what I did and mine works perfectly now. I used to have the same problem when I was charging my phone but now it's a nice and firm connection.

Matt

[mrl325i]

I did this over the weekend:

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85801

Added an FM modulator and iPod charging wire to my stock radio. Sound quality is perfectly adequate (it is a 22 year old convertible, so symphony-hall sound was not what I was attempting).

Very easy to do. iPod wire is tucked under the center console and pops up so that my Nano rests in the skinny cubby next to the e-brake. I can scroll thru songs without taking my eyes off the road.

Total investment: about $30 and 2 hours (I am a slow worker).

[harv]

I have used 2004 Jetta wagon rear (in the cargo area) power sockets before. They come with a spring loaded cover that says 12V.

John

[bimmer_E30]

whats the fuse number >.<

[accident]

whats the fuse number >.<

holy crap search it or look in the bentley. jesus christ you impatient little waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles.