How to Remove and Replace Cigarette Lighter

[MDTrailrider]

Hi,

I have a 1998 SR5 4Runner with a manual transmission. I bought it new on the ship from Japan. It's been great all these years. It has 362,400 miles and will rust out before it wears out.

I blew my 12V cigarette lighter using a tire inflator a couple of months ago. I didn't know tire inflators were a risk. The inflator died and the cigarette lighter/12V outlet stopped working. I assume the fusible link on the back of the outlet burned out. I want to replace the outlet but I can't figure out how to remove it to inspect the fusible link and then replace the link or outlet. I got a flat in a remote part of Maine a few weeks ago. The leak was slow enough that I was able to drive somewhere and buy a new 12V tire inflator. The new inflator blew the back accessory power outlet so I need to find out how to remove that outlet too. I learned about fusible links on the back of 12V outlets too late and want to fix or replace both.

MDT

 

[Kanoe]

You gotta pull the panel they are mounted on, no need to try to get the socket out. They won't come out from the front without getting the panel out first. Once out, it's just a tiny little nut to remove the fusable link, no need to get the socket out at all.

You could maybe put battery clips on the air pump and run it right off the battery in the future.

 

[3bears]

………………...
You could maybe put battery clips on the air pump and run it right off the battery in the future.

this is best and if you want throw an inline fuse on to the wires that you use to attach to clips...but kind of not needed

 

[MDTrailrider]

I'm familiar with removing the fusible link and using alligator clips right off of the battery in the future. I'm not sure I just want to defeat the fusible link. It's there for just the reason I blew mine. I can't figure out how to remove the dashboard panel. It's large. The one's I've seen removed online are for cars such as the Camry or Corolla and they're much smaller and restricted to just around the ashtray and lighter. My panel goes all the way up the center of the dashboard.

 

[AntleredRuin]

To remove the dashboard panel, open your center console and then pull up on the plastic trim around the parking brake.
Then pull up on the plastic around the gear shift.
Then grab the bottom of the dash panel and start pulling towards you, working your way up. It's a punch of small clips and the dash piece is pretty fragile, so be careful. Consider using one of the plastic trim removal tools.

I'm 90% sure you have to break the outlet to remove it from the dash panel. There's a few clips that hold it in, and they aren't spring loaded so you can't press them back in to remove it. I had to use wire cutters and cut the clips to remove mine.

 

[Toy2play]

To remove the dashboard panel, open your center console and then pull up on the plastic trim around the parking brake.
Then pull up on the plastic around the gear shift.
Then grab the bottom of the dash panel and start pulling towards you, working your way up. It's a punch of small clips and the dash piece is pretty fragile, so be careful. Consider using one of the plastic trim removal tools.

I'm 90% sure you have to break the outlet to remove it from the dash panel. There's a few clips that hold it in, and they aren't spring loaded so you can't press them back in to remove it. I had to use wire cutters and cut the clips to remove mine.

To add onto your instructions, at least on my 97 with the old climate controls, you need to take the nubs off the climate controls levers and pry the backing plate of the climate control with a flat head screwdriver. This will give you access to the two screws that is holding the top portion of the bezel and will keep you from taking it off. Wont be able to take it off until you undo this two screws.

[MENTION=48614]MDTrailrider[/MENTION]
Here is a video showing the removal with the newer style climate control, but basically the same way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSV9_Q2SBlY&feature=youtu.be

 

[MDTrailrider]

Thanks. That doesn't look too hard in the video.

 

[MDTrailrider]

It's a bunch of small clips and the dash piece is pretty fragile, so be careful. Consider using one of the plastic trim removal tools.

I've never seen a plastic trim removal tool or at least didn't know what it was if I did see one. I did a search. I guess you have to get a kit and start experimenting and guess where the clips are too?

 

[Toy2play]

I've never seen a plastic trim removal tbool or at least didn't know what it was if I did see one. I did a search. I guess you have to get a kit and start experimenting and guess where the clips are too?

I've taken mine off a dozen times and never used any sort of removal kit. They do help, especially in other areas on the 4runner like door panels, but it isn't something that is required.

They are good to have for different jobs though.

https://www.amazon.com/JessicaAlba-Removal-corolla-Highlander-Installer/dp/B019DGWVBC

 

[AntleredRuin]

I've never seen a plastic trim removal tool or at least didn't know what it was if I did see one. I did a search. I guess you have to get a kit and start experimenting and guess where the clips are too?

They are nice to have instead of flathead screwdrivers for other trim pieces that may tear up the plastic. Like for bulb replacement, removing the plastic trim holding the headliner for sunroof leaks, etc.

I needed one of those tools when I first got my 4Runner. I have a Limited with the wood-grain bezel, which is a lot thinner plastic than the Base or SR5 black bezels. The tool worked great, and the first time I tried to remove without the tool, I snapped my bezel into a million pieces.

I got a black bezel from a junk yard and have not used the tool once, and I'm in my dash all the time, running wires, messing with the radio, etc.
The black bezels are that much stronger.

 

[Baughb]

Thanks for the info so far, I'm working on the 12v cigarette lighter in the rear cargo. When it's attached to a load, it's only passing .01a... 1 milliamp. Using the same load and cabling, the two up front give me 1.5a and .75a from the left and right. (99 Limited).
Any ideas as to why my rear cargo socket is so under powered?

Thanks in advance.
Bob

 

[kimbolou]

Fixing cigarette lighter without removing console/dash/sanity

I hope I'm doing this right. Please forgive if not... I'm new. I have a '96 4Runner with a busted cig lighter. I've gone through these archived posts, changed the appropriate fuses and am still confused. I was able to pull the cig lighter out of it's little house using needle nose pliers. I see that the housing is plugged in and the wires go into and behind the dash. I guess my question is, did I really gain access that easily? I haven't seen a post mention just yanking the thing out from the front (perhaps that post exists and I just haven't seen it yet). If I haven't screwed up, I'm hoping if I just replace the housing with the plug will fix 'her up. Is there another area behind the dash that needs unplugging/replacing though? Thank you so much for any help.

 

[hoodlm]

Here's a vid. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hIXQMv8z5U&feature=youtu.be