Cigarette lighter removal on Z3 M Coupe

[petecossie]

The original cigarette lighter socket is loose at the rivetted centre connection so that my phone will not charge properly. Purchased a new socket and thought it would be an easy pop out and new on in - Not so - seems to be a white collar (to illuminate the socket in the dark) the bulb has blown and the holder has detached from this collar. Does this collar screw off or clip off cannot tell. Wearing varifocal glasses and 72 year old fumble fingers doesn't help!!

I'll attach a photo later - taking ages to transfer from my iPhone to laptop!

 

[Ian_C]

I recall that it clips in Pete. Pic of my disassembled one here - white collar has clips attaching it to centre console:

 

[Bampz]

The original cigarette lighter socket is loose at the rivetted centre connection so that my phone will not charge properly. Purchased a new socket and thought it would be an easy pop out and new on in - Not so - seems to be a white collar (to illuminate the socket in the dark) the bulb has blown and the holder has detached from this collar. Does this collar screw off or clip off cannot tell. Wearing varifocal glasses and 72 year old fumble fingers doesn't help!!

I'll attach a photo later - taking ages to transfer from my iPhone to laptop!

And I thought it was just me struggling with varifocals on jobs like that

 

[g8jka]

I have the Z3M console and fitted an engine start button in place of the cigarette lighter socket. The plastic collar clips onto the main body of the centre console as mentioned above. I removed the lot, installed the button and clipped the collar in around it.

 

[petecossie]

Cheers Ian for the info on the collar, just got to figure out how to disconnect it from the socket and centre console. Found out the socket illuminating bulb hadn't blown when I put the car lights on to put the car in the garage. The mounting for the bulb holder to the collar has snapped off so have to see how I can repair it when I eventually get the whole assembly out. Wish me luck.

For some reason my iPhone still not letting me send photo to my email account.

 

[petecossie]

Managed to do photo attachment through my iPhone of the collar/socket from behind the console, have to have a go tomorrow to see if I can successfully remove said items. Any more clues to the tags/clips retaining this assembly? Was the removal done with the console in place?

 

[g8jka]

The bulb holder on mine also broke off. I removed the collar when I had the console out, if I remember you have to take the main metal body off first and then the collar will push out but it was a PITA to do. You will do well to get it out with the console it situ but it probably can be done.

 

[petecossie]

After talking with my Indy (John Hind in Stockton) he recommended that I loosen off the console and slide it back which should give me access. Had to figure out how the auto electrician slotted in my Dab Radio etc so I can get at the top screws below/above the radio support frame. Everything else is unscrewed by the handbrake/ashtray area and rear of the console. Told the missus it won't take me long!!

What a mess about to sort something out so small. BMW could have made it so much easier I'm sure.

Hopefully I'll replace heater control bulb at the same time, which I've been going to do for yonks.

Update

Well finally got the damned thing out after cutting up the original socket from the inside to collapse it. This was after ending up dismantling the console and hanging it on a bungy cord so I could get to the back of socket.
I'll take some photos and explain the "locking tabs" on the illuminating collar and where they lock to the socket.
However it really is annoying though to find out when the socket was removed that the "rivet" was actually a miniature torx screw which I could have tightened up to pull the contact together and so make the unit work again. You learn something new every day.

It will probably take me all day tomorrow to reassemble everything.

 

[petecossie]

The saga goes on, after sorting out the cigarette lighter socket and making up a bulb holder from a modified Bic pen top as the original proved too fragile to take a bulb I then turned to the heater control bulbs. Checked those after struggling to get the holders out by swopping with similar connecter for another instrument bulb. Both blown, just rang local Coopers BMW and they cost a staggering £11.25 +VAT, anyway got some BMWCC discount which brings down to £20ish - so car will have to remain in bits till tomorrow when bulbs come in!!

 

[Fender2004]

Keep up the good work Pete, I’m sure you’ll get there, and it will be all worth it in the end.
The joys of motoring!

 

[g8jka]

The centre console can be a nightmare to get out if you have never done it before. But once you've done it a few times it's a breeze. Hopefully you won't need to take it out again anytime soon though. And if you ever need to access that torx screw in the holder make sure you remove the cigarette lighter fuse first otherwise you will have a bit of a scare touching any part of the metal housing with a torx bit!

 

[Iamjonw]

So I happened on this thread as I want to remove my cigarette lighter and replace it with a dual USB socket. I have tied the plug in converter type and they do not work. So I managed to remove the lighter by pushing it from behind with my hand under the trim in the driver foot well. No surprise

ise that it was not working as there was only one wire connected to it and there is only one post on the lighter unit, see photos. The wire connected was brown, but there was also a loose red wire in the vicinity, which I am hoping is the other connection?

 

[Iamjonw]

Any help appreciated

 

[DomiMik]

This is how the cigarette lighter is connected:

 

[NZ00Z3]

I looked at fitting a double USB power supply in place of the cigarette lighter. The USB unit is larger and it required making the hole larger. Ended up fitting a different type of USB power supply. See the thread below.

Fitting an USB Power Supply

Every new car gadget wants a USB power supply these days. So, I've been wanting one for my Mora Red Z3 for a while. First it was the GPS, that could plug into the adapter in the cigarette lighter. Then it was the Dash Cam, which I move between cars, so need to have an external supply. Plus...

zroadster.org

 

[t-tony]

Test for live on the red wire with circuit tester (ignition on and off). If you have live connect the circuit tester between the red wire and the brown wire on the Cig. lighter, if you still have power then the circuit works.

Tony.

 

[Iamjonw]

This is how the cigarette lighter is connected:
View attachment 189139

Thanks DomiMik, so I assume that the brown wire is live and the unit itself is earthed? So the cigarette lighter just uses live and earth?

 

[Mint]

Thanks DomiMik, so I assume that the brown wire is live and the unit itself is earthed? So the cigarette lighter just uses live and earth?

No, wrong way round. On the Zeds the brown wires are earth/ground/negative, whichever terminology you prefer. But yes it uses live and earth, also a live for the illumination. On my Z3 the cigarette lighter is live all the time.

 

[Iamjonw]

No, wrong way round. On the Zeds the brown wires are earth/ground/negative, whichever terminology you prefer. But yes it uses live and earth, also a live for the illumination. On my Z3 the cigarette lighter is live all the time.

Thanks Mint, so if the brown wire is negative/earth, on my cigarette lighter it was the only wire connected. There does not seem to be a connector on the unit for another wire unless it has been removed. There is the brass plate with torx screw, which if I understand the message from DomiMik is where the live wire should connect - does that sound correct?

Sorry if questions are very basic, I am a bit of a novice at these things

 

[DomiMik]

Yes, the live wire should be connected to the brass plate as in the edited picture above. I don't have a picture from a Z3 cigarette lighter, but here is one from my 7 series centre console, maybe that's helpful for better understanding.