HI,

I want to tap power from the cigarette lighter. I thought I could just pull out the ash tray and get to the wiring, but the unit was sealed. Any thoughts on how I can tap the cigarette lighter? Or is there a better place to get switched DC power under the dash?

Thanks,

jerry

 

you can easily pull the whole ash tray together with teh cigarette light out, right?

 

I don't see how you can do that. Are there some clips or something holding the thing in? I don't see any screws, clips, etc. By the way the car is a 2002 GS430 with the Nav and Mark Levison option.

 

If you remove the entire tray from the console you can get to the wires. Just grab the ash tray and pull straight out.

 

Here is what I did

1. Remove ash try cigarette dump thing.
2. Grab ash tray assembly, where cigarette repository used to go, not the door
3) Pull like heck.

Results, nothing. The dang thing will not budge. Do they glue these things in?

 

Grab the door on either side and pull. Its just 2 clips...

 

yeah just pull at about 45 degress. 2 clips holding it

 

In case you did not do it, it is a little easier if you change gears and pull the shifter out of the way. You get a little more space to work it.

 

True...forgot about that!! It makes all the difference....

 

Wait. How much comes out. If you are just pulling on the door, does the door, lighter, and ash tray come out, or the whole section (ie. with the walnut molding) from the bottom of the radio to the console come out? I am assuming the whole section comes out.

Thanks,

jerry

 

Yes the whole section comes out and not just the door. Grab the frame actually, at least that's how I got back there.

 

OK. BTW, where are the two clips located? I am going to see if inserting a screw driver will help. Thus far 3 people have tried and it has not budged.

 

I verified with RMMGS4 who was working with me when I did some wiring that there are actually 4 clips at each of the corners. They are deep inside though so prying probabaly won't get you much. You'll just have to get all your fingers into the ashtray top, leverage your thumb on the radio panel and pull sharply. That thing will not budge if you pull lightly.

RMMGS4 told me that he actually removed the clips since he is messing with his car so much and it still stays in place pretty well.

Good luck.

 

Thanks.

We finally got the thing out. 200+ pound guy pulled really hard! It looks like some sort of seal formed around the edge. There was a white flaky residue on the ash tray part and the console. Might be glue, spilled soda, or a dried up latte. Anyway, now that is out I can wire in the power supply to the XM radio.

Thanks for all your help.

jerry

 

Cool.....