Date:         Fri, 15 Jun 2001 12:16:08 -0500
Reply-To:     Roy Olynick <rrh@AUTOBAHN.MB.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roy Olynick <rrh@AUTOBAHN.MB.CA>
Subject:      Cigarette Lighter Removal 101
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

Since the archives contain no procedures for removing the cigarette lighter from
a Vanagon/Westy dash, I submit the following posting based on my experience.

Background:
I have a automotive cup holder which fits into a dash cigarette lighter when the
pop-out element insert is removed. Unfortunately, my Westy's cigarette lighter
no longer fits tightly in the dash, pulling out a couple of millimetres whenever
a cup of my favourite liquid was
placed in the holder. In order to remedy the situation, the lighter had to come
out, hence the following procedure.

Procedure:
1. Remove A/C switch panel from dash to facilitate access to lighter inside
dash.
2. Remove plug connector from back end of cigarette lighter.
3. Using a flat tip screwdriver, pry off the bulb holder which is piggybacking
on
the cigarette lighter housing.
4. The translucent greenish plastic shell surrounding the cigarette lighter
housing has two opposing clips or barbs near the front rim which are used,
ostensibly, to grip the
backside of the dash and hold the lighter firmly to the dash (yeah, right!).
Locate these clips/barbs. Using a screwdriver, apply significant pressure on
these barbs while pushing the lighter from inside the dash.

That's all there is to safely remove the cigarette lighter in one piece from the
dash.

Once the lighter was out, I cut a piece of thick, semi-rigid plastic tubing to
fit around the lighter housing, between the front rim and the bulb holder
mounting. I reinstalled the lighter in the dash, reached inside the dash through
the A/C switch panel cut-out, slipped the tubing around the lighter snugly
against the dash, and clamped the tubing tightly using a hose clamp. The
cigarette lighter is now firmly secured to the dash.

Roy Olynick
'87 Westfalia GL
(till death do us part)
'91 Honda Civic SE
'01 Honda Civic LX