How do I remove my cigarette lighter?
 

How do I remove my cigarette lighter from my 2003 C230 Sport Sedan?

If you have the same problem I had when I first bought my car....... check the fuse to be sure it isn't blown. My lighter was in the "down position" and sat flush, therefore, having nothing to grab to pull it out. I replaced the fuse and after the element heated, it popped up.

If this isn't want you mean, I can't help. :nix:

Remove cigarette lighter
 

Let me clarify my original question. I'm looking to remove the socket, not the element!

You have to pull the console apart.
I just did this. Yeh, a PIA.

Pull the trim piece from around the shifter, pull the rubber piece out of the bottom of the cupiholder, it just pops out,
pull the cupholder out, it kinda snaps into position, pull the trim piece around the cupholder, slide the slidey thing off and out of the way, the piece that holds the cig lighter should pop out now.

Check the thead where I mounted a 3 way unit in the tray under radio.
The damn cig socket is ~ 100 bucks for a new one, and I'd gone through 3 already. Now mine's disconnected, just for looks to fill the hole, which I like, I can keep that cover closed completely.

Greg, I'm failing to see any "rude" replies to your question. You have two very helpful suggestions above.


EDIT: Oh I see now that there was one unhelpful post which has been removed.

Questions:

1. When you say the shifter trim, are you talking about the leather "boot" around my shifter (manual, not automatic in my car)?

2. I see how the rubber piece comes out of the bottom of the cup holder (I've cleaned it many times), but I really don't see out the cup holder "snaps" out!

3. Maybe photos would help?? (me sending photos to you or vice versa?)

GregInJrsy -

The shifter trim is the plastic base surrounding the leather shifter boot.

I am going to conjecture the manual is similar to my automatic.

After carefully prying the shifter trim plate free, open your ashtray.
Lift up at the front of the long panel between the armrest and the ashtray -
the ashtray insert may need to be removed first.

Carefully maneuver the long panel slightly forward and around the
shifter and trim plate; set aside. Retract the sliding compartment cover.
Open the cupholder. Remove the rubber insert. To remove the cupholder,
gently lift it upwards. It will release and pop up 1/8" or so. Press your
left thumb towards the front of the car from behind the cig lighter,
and use your right hand to rotate the cupholder clockwise.
All this Spaten tells me I should make an appropriate joke about
me being left-handed, but I don't think it will come across right...

After the cupholder has been removed, the cig lighter resides in
a plastic U shaped panel. There are 2 plastic tabs at the front
that can be released with a precision flat-blade screwdriver.
Gently fold this part of the panel down towards the rear of the car.

There is a 3 wire harness that must be removed from the lighter,
then you can use the special tool, or 2 tiny precision flat-blade
screwdrivers to release the tabs holding the socket in the clear plastic mount.

C230 Sport Coupe... are you serious? $100 for just the lighter ass???
The dealer near my office wants $38 for the assembly, but only
$28 for the whole panel that comes with a new lighter assembly...

Hope this helps.

PS Anybody looking for a high-end telecom tech???

Cigarette Lighter
 

Thanks to all who answered. I was able to access the wiring for the cigarette and hook up my blue light (I'm a volunteer EMT).

I must say that in the past 10 years or so I haven't had the need or motivation to disassemble a car in this manner. I was very surprised and pleased on how the part snapped out (and back in). I would have thought that these parts would have been assembled in some other manner.

Thank you, i have a similar problem , my cigar light has no earth connection soo its not working.