Cigarette Lighter Pushed Into Dash....

Robz98EB · October 2, 2005

I have done a few searches and can't find anything on this. Surely, I'm not the only person who has had their cigarette lighter break and push back into the dash? Anyone have any advice on how to fix this? It looks like the plastic that holds the lighter into the dash just broke around the lighter. No I just have a hole where my lighter used to be and I can feel my lighter assembly with my fingers, next to the stereo, in the dash.

BTW, my lighter was never used for the first 7 years. I installed XM radio a few months ago and used the auxiliary power outlet to power it. I had to start using my cigarette lighter to charge my cell phone. One day, I plugged the charger into the lighter and it just pushed the lighter assembly back into the dash. I pulled it back out, but it was loose in the hole after that and falls back out.

It doesn't really bother me that much that I can't charge my phone, I just hate looking at that ugly hole.

Any help on how to fix this and where to get the parts is appreciated!

dogfriend · October 3, 2005

I think you need a new center bezel to fix it. The center bezel is the part of the dash that surrounds the radio opening.

You may want to try a salvage yard. If you want new, try fordpartsnetwork.com. The part is about $100 from FPN.

Robz98EB · October 3, 2005

That is what I was afraid off. Thanks for your help! I'll give fordpartsnetwork.com a try. :thumbsup:

dogfriend said:
I think you need a new center bezel to fix it. The center bezel is the part of the dash that surrounds the radio opening.

You may want to try a salvage yard. If you want new, try fordpartsnetwork.com. The part is about $100 from FPN.

briwayjones · October 3, 2005

Look on ebay for one. You can usually find them no problem and might get one for around $30.

Bills98Explorer · October 3, 2005

Yep like others said,you'll need the center bezel.
Why not use the accesory 1 thats on the bottom of the dash??

briwayjones · October 3, 2005

He's using that for his XM radio. And started using the one on the bezel for his cell phone.

IZwack · October 3, 2005

i pushed mine in a few years ago too and it left one hole of a hole.. but luckily i found a round switch that fits perfectly into that hole (im using the switch for an 'auxiliary' item) and epoxied that in permanently.

patch the shizy up with some fiberglass

and maybe some bondo if ur fiberglass doesnt come out too well after sanding... and then spray paint.

witchdoctor · October 3, 2005

Before I changed bezels for other reasons, this happened to me as well. I just bought a new lighter at Pep Boys that had an exterior lighted ring (it was green so it matched my interior at the time). It cost less than $10.

mesa 33 · October 3, 2005

Mine did the same thing because of using it for a mp3. I took a piece of black plastic drilled out a circle then drilled a circle within the circle making a ring, Unscrewed the inside of the light put it hrough the ring put it in the console and twisted it back on and it works fine now.

Robz98EB · October 4, 2005

Good thinkin'....I'll keep an eye out there.

briwayjones said:
Look on ebay for one. You can usually find them no problem and might get one for around $30.

Robz98EB · October 4, 2005

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I definitely appreciate it. If I can't find one on Ebay, I'll try a couple of your suggestions. I don't think it bothers me enough to buy a brand new center bezel if they are around $100.

aldive · October 4, 2005

Robz98EB said:
I don't think it bothers me enough to buy a brand new center bezel if they are around $100.

The one for my '99:

F67Z 78044D70-AAC
$ 174.99

briwayjones · October 4, 2005

Robz98EB said:
Thanks for the feedback, guys. I definitely appreciate it. If I can't find one on Ebay, I'll try a couple of your suggestions. I don't think it bothers me enough to buy a brand new center bezel if they are around $100.

Which switch slots do you need on it?

Robz98EB · October 5, 2005

I can't remember off the top off my head. What are my choices?

I'm out of town on business right now and won't see my Explorer again until October 17. It is for a 2WD Eddie Bauer Explorer. It doesn't have a sunroof or CD changer or a power passenger seat. It has everything else.

briwayjones said:
Which switch slots do you need on it?

Robz98EB · October 5, 2005

Yikes! I definitely don't need it that bad.

aldive said:
The one for my '99:

F67Z 78044D70-AAC
$ 174.99

briwayjones · October 5, 2005

Robz98EB said:
I can't remember off the top off my head. What are my choices? I'm out of town on business right now and won't see my Explorer again until October 17. It is for a 2WD Eddie Bauer Explorer. It doesn't have a sunroof or CD changer or a power passenger seat. It has everything else.

Nevermind. I was going to say that I have an extra bezel but then I realized I sanded away the lip that holds the lighter so I could install a switch in the hole.

dogfriend · October 5, 2005

Ouch, I checked fordpartsnetwork.com again:

2wd, w/foglights, w/ rear wiper: $180.98

The one I saw before is for 4wd, w/foglights, w/ rear wiper: $99.16

Go Figure.

I would look on Ebay (excellent suggestion) or the boneyard.

aldive · November 15, 2005

Mine broke today too.

Has anyone found an aftermarket lighter that will work? If so, where and how much?

Thanks ....

aldive · November 15, 2005

aldive said:
Mine broke today too.

Has anyone found an aftermarket lighter that will work? If so, where and how much?

Thanks ....

I spent the best part of 90 minutes searching for a replacement lighter. The auto parts stores were basically useless, however, I did find an acceptable lighter at West Marine ( in stainless steel to boot ).

When I returned and started the install, I realized that I would have to do a bit of fab work to make this one fit.

I promptly nixed that plan and went with plan B.

Plan B was the reuse of the existing lighter. I had to get it to "screw" into the bezel as best as it could with the weakened area where it pushed in. Then I mixed up some epoxy and molded it to fit the area of the lighter 0 bezel inter phase.

The epoxy cured harder than Chinese arithmetic and the lighter was very secure in the bezel.

Problem solved for $5.00 worth of epoxy.

Memfis · November 16, 2005

Thanks, ill be trying Aldive's way of fixing it, it isnt a real bother, but same thing happened to me and been meanign to fix it.

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