hlovepenn

This '96 is my second LS400--neither of which has had a front lighter that worked. However, the back lighters work fine. While trying to trace the problem, I found that the lighter was not connected. When I connected it, the lighter got hot and then promptly blew the fuse. I am trying to use the socket for power to my Sirius radio and it even blew the fuse after working so it doesn't need much of a draw to blow the fuse. Any ideas are welcome.
Also, what's the secret to setting the springs in the ashtray assembly? I took it apart and got everything back together to find out the slow open feature no longer functions. It does lock closed, so it not much of a deal, but I do like for everything to work! Again, thanks for any help!

hlovepenn

This is what happens when you are in a beach condo in Florida and it's too cold to shell! I summoned the courage to tear back into the front ashtray today and was able to fix the problems. First, to remove the shift console cover, gently pry up on the sides next to the cup holder and then, with the key on, move the shifter down to remove the cover. Unhook the Trac and Heated Seats wiring and the lighter if connected.
Next, remove the four screws holding the ashtray compartment to the console cover and then remove the two screws holding the veneer ashtray cover and then the ashtray cover. Remove the one large screw at each end of the ashtray compartment, rotate the ashtray down a little and it will pop out of the enclosure--take care with the spring at each end of the ashtray.
I then took the nut off the end of the lighter assembly and removed the unit. I believe the problem was that the bi-metal clips which hold the lighter were touching the case. Anyway, on careful reassembly, with the clips going in the large slots of the case, I tightened the nut and was ready to reassemble the ashtray into the enclosure.

This shows the spring installed on the right side of the ashtray.

hlovepenn

This shows the spring, with the hook, installed on the left end of the ashtray.

hlovepenn

Carefully rotate the ashtray until it faces downward and gently slide back into the ashtray compartment. It will click into place and you can check that it locks when pushed up and slowly lowers when pushed to open. Then, replace large screws at each end of the enclosure. The ashtray light is a pin-type, so you can just pull it out, like a Xmas tree light, to replace if needed. Replace the veneer cover and reassemble with console cover and replace in reverse order.
Let me know if you have any questions! Time to go shelling!!!!!