I don't smke but I would like an operational cigarette lighter for my portable car vacuum. Does the lighter from any new (cheaper) model of BMW fit? Can I separate the parts from the lighter so the new one looks like the original?
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Cigarette Lighter / Power Source
- Thread starter Stan
- Start date
iconoclast6
Well-Known Member
Hi Stan,
I'm about to look into this as well. My lighter does supply power, but it isn't consisitent. Any slight little road bump disengages whatever I have plugged in and I lose power.
It appears that the circumference of the lighter was never meant to supply power to modern adapters....
I'm about to look into this as well. My lighter does supply power, but it isn't consisitent. Any slight little road bump disengages whatever I have plugged in and I lose power.
It appears that the circumference of the lighter was never meant to supply power to modern adapters....
blumax
(deceased)
cigarette lighter power--reality check--
Not surprising--when these cars were built--FACTS
1) many drivers & passengers smoked then--both here and abroad
2) todays plug-ins--don't recall any existing when Coupe was new
Not surprising--when these cars were built--FACTS
1) many drivers & passengers smoked then--both here and abroad
2) todays plug-ins--don't recall any existing when Coupe was new
decoupe
(deceased)
Power Source
Before you do anything to extreme, buy a cheap replacement 12v cigarette lighter from NAPA or any other car part place and strip out the sleeve. This happens to be the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of the original lighter (which I think is labeled as a cigar lighter in the owners manual). I don't know if they all are this size but it is a perfect fit and stayed in place for the 1800 miles trip I just did.
I use it to recharge my camera batteries and run the iPod. The cell phone stays at home.
Before you do anything to extreme, buy a cheap replacement 12v cigarette lighter from NAPA or any other car part place and strip out the sleeve. This happens to be the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of the original lighter (which I think is labeled as a cigar lighter in the owners manual). I don't know if they all are this size but it is a perfect fit and stayed in place for the 1800 miles trip I just did.
I use it to recharge my camera batteries and run the iPod. The cell phone stays at home.
Strip out the sleave... and then what? Can I just remove the stock unit and replace withthe new NAPA unit?
Thanks!
Thanks!
decoupe
(deceased)
No, just slide the sleeve (the chrome collar in the photo) that you get with a repalcement lighter unit into the existing lighter socket and then plug in your charger. No need to alter the original this way.
But my OEM cigar lighter is not operating. I will not stay down and it does not get hot even if held down. I think it might be dead...
Can I swap the whole unit out?
Can I swap the whole unit out?
decoupe
(deceased)
Oops, I missed that part (dead OEM unit). Now the question is, will a modern unit be too small for the hole in the shifter console? Because the OEM is definitely a larger diameter. Sorry can't help with that one.
Stan , did you ever get a new unit to replace the non functioning lighter?
Mine is dead.
Thanks Barry
Mine is dead.
Thanks Barry
I bought a replacement from Carl or Peter some years ago
pamp
Well-Known Member
Power
As Stan and others noticed, my car has no lighter socket on the console. Cannot really live these days without a 12 vdc socket for the the cell, GPS, iPod, etc. So I installed a socket as you see. This was to power a portable cooler at the time....I love to fish.
Why do flash pictures make details look worse than they are?
As Stan and others noticed, my car has no lighter socket on the console. Cannot really live these days without a 12 vdc socket for the the cell, GPS, iPod, etc. So I installed a socket as you see. This was to power a portable cooler at the time....I love to fish.
Why do flash pictures make details look worse than they are?
Attachments
So you just replaced the whole lighter unit and then it worked as a 12V socket?
yes I did. I am able to charge my iPhone
In mid-73 these were added when the window motors were improved.
Minivansomeren
Well-Known Member
I’m resurrecting a dead thread rather than start a new one.
My coupe came with a small usb adapter in the lighter socket. I recently tested it and it doesn’t work. I used a voltmeter and discovered the issue:
Most of the “floor” of the socket is getting 12v including the two “prongs” on the left and right. However the small round metal in the center at the bottom doesn’t get power. It looks like maybe a rivet? But that is the part that my usb adapter touches. I tried using some electric parts cleaner on a q-tip but that didn’t help.
I’m wondering if the rivet in the middle is “dead” in all coupes by design? I think I could either modify the usb adapter or fabricate a piece to drop in there, but if there is a better fix I’d love to know
My coupe came with a small usb adapter in the lighter socket. I recently tested it and it doesn’t work. I used a voltmeter and discovered the issue:
Most of the “floor” of the socket is getting 12v including the two “prongs” on the left and right. However the small round metal in the center at the bottom doesn’t get power. It looks like maybe a rivet? But that is the part that my usb adapter touches. I tried using some electric parts cleaner on a q-tip but that didn’t help.
I’m wondering if the rivet in the middle is “dead” in all coupes by design? I think I could either modify the usb adapter or fabricate a piece to drop in there, but if there is a better fix I’d love to know
the cigarette lighter is fed from the red / yellow wire from fuse 5. the ground is under the radio. so if you are getting power, thats a good start - sure the ground is good? sometimes that ground is known to loosen up ... but it also ties to the heater fan and radio and if those weren't working, you know you have an issue. i have been thinking of putting a USB charging port in my console - they are cheap - usually around 10 bucks and just tie to unswitched power and the ground ... and doesn't stick up like a plug in the lighter.
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Minivansomeren
Well-Known Member
Yeah I think the ground is good.
I get 12v difference measuring from the floor (inside the green circle, but outside red circle) to the wall (yellow circle). It is only the inside of the red circle that is not getting power. So measuring from the red circle to the yellow circle I get 0v difference.
Unfortunately the red circle is the place where the central “pin” on the usb adapter contacts. I am using something that looks like what you have, but it is designed to slot into the existing cigarette socket. The advantage is I can easily pull it out and put the original lighter back in if I want the original look.
Power wire is a large red one, always on even with ignition off. I installed a USB in glove box wired to a switched fuse.