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LS Cigarette Lighter Fix (Tutorial)

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Old Mar 13, 2010 | 09:29 PM
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Default LS Cigarette Lighter Fix (Tutorial)

Ok guy's y'all have helped me a ton so I'm writing y'all some tutorials!

Now if any of ya have used an air pump or some other large drain item on your LS your 12Volt lighter sockets probably don't work, let’s fix that!

Just a note... please make sure all fuses are good before you do this... would hate for you to waste time...

When working with electricity always turn power to the circuit off (in this case turn off the ignition)

Front

Ok so if your front socket doesn't work we need to start by removing the wood trim around your shifter, a flat head screwdriver near the cup holder should do the job, be very gentle so that you don't scratch or break anything. Once you pop it up gently slide it back an inch or so before raising it up (the front is held in by 2 slide clips, I broke mine so my loss is your knowledge!)

Now to the ash tray assembly, put your flat head in between the wood and the leather on the left hand side and GENTLY pry till it pops out a tad bit then repeat on the right hand side. Now grab under the ash tray with your right hand if you’re in the driver seat(the ashtray will probably open) and try to get a finger on the top and pull gently but firmly out, don't pull to far or you could damage your connectors! Now there are 3 connectors on this tray you can do it the easy way and disconnect them all or the hard way which is try to do the next few parts without disconnecting them... I recommend the easy way!

Now you have your ashtray assembly in your hands, turn it over and open it and you can see the bottom of the lighter socket, there's a nut on the very end, with a fabric washer in between 2 contact plates, undo this nut and remove the washer and replace the nut.

Hook everything back up and enjoy lighter happiness!

for some pictures refer to http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/audio/headunit.html

Back

This one is easier!

Start by placing a flat head screwdriver GENTLY between the top seam in the leather around the A/C control/Lighter socket and pry it out. This will just pull out and you can see the lighter and everything, unhook the 2 connectors going to the lighter socket and do the exact same mod as with the front. Remove the nut, remove the washer, replace the nut. reinstall and now your rear lighter works again! wohoo!

Last edited by Legionofon; Mar 14, 2010 at 10:16 AM.
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Old Mar 13, 2010 | 10:50 PM
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ok so wait your fix was to simply remove the nut and washer, then just put them back?

If so, what was the reason for the lighter outlets to not work? No contact or something?
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Old Mar 13, 2010 | 11:06 PM
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there's a useless fused link between the 2 plates separated by the washer... it burns out... but there's a reason there's a fuse on the circuit so this mod bypasses the lexus over engineering
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Old Mar 13, 2010 | 11:22 PM
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hmmmmmm interesting i wanna try this but car is at shop
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Old Mar 14, 2010 | 08:18 PM
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Is this the same for UCF20s?
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 11:15 AM
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When you gona be in houston, help me with this! LOL
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 11:15 AM
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Hmm - my lighter socket is dead on my '99. Wondering if this fix applies to mine also. Might check it out if I ever get around to replacing the heated seat button light bulb.
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 09:59 PM
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Sweet, thanks man.

I read in the past that they become unplugged. That was not the case for mine.

This makes sense and a cheap simple fix.

thanks
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by j stuff
ok so wait your fix was to simply remove the nut and washer, then just put them back?

If so, what was the reason for the lighter outlets to not work? No contact or something?
Notice, he states to only remove the washer the nut gets reset.


LOL, haha funny stuff, check this out....

So i just did the mod and it didnt work. I am scratching my head. I did everything right, what is wrong.

My wife asked me a few weeks ago, "can a fuse be out?" I told her i had already checked it the last time i was under the dash.

I went back through to the basics and checked the fuse again and guess what, BURNT. Replaced and now works like a charm.

I think with the washer being removed i hope that this helps for me to not have to worry about it again for a while.

PS the nut is a 7MM and surprisingly enough it was on pretty tight.

Last edited by Jrezo; Mar 16, 2010 at 11:39 PM.
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Old Jun 1, 2010 | 07:37 PM
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Legionofon thank you sir, this actually worked for me on my 92 SC300. Unreal. I just removed the washer & voila.
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Old Dec 1, 2010 | 02:42 PM
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ok, so i have a 91 LS and, i got to the area of concern and there was no fabric washer...? are you talking about the copper washer underneath the front main screw? .. i took it out and check the fuses., still nothing. any more help ?
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Old Mar 8, 2011 | 10:25 PM
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i have same issue on my LS
Already checked fuse.
I need help! Which nut do you mean?
i will post some photos, could you help?!
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Old Mar 12, 2011 | 04:17 PM
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thanks, will try.
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Old Mar 22, 2011 | 11:10 PM
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Found the nut, but i have a question
which type of nut do we need to use?! should i go to dealer and ask for same type or i could use any similiar nut instead ?!
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Old Apr 3, 2011 | 01:46 AM
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What is the part no. for the nut?!
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