I'm trying to remove the lighter in the front ashtray of a 2004 W211 E500. I can get the ashtray out no problem (car in neutral, pop up console, pull out ashtray) but I can't get the connector off the back of the lighter. I have seen other threads saying to just pull on the connector, but I've used significant force and nothing is moving. Any ideas?

 

The electical connector indeed pulls right off. There could be some tabs to squeeze while doing so, and this should be visible.

As for getting the lighter out of the ashtray, there's a special tool for that. I bought one and couldn't make it work, so I basically used a pair of pliers to crush the lighter to get it out.

 

I admire your determination!