OK, you guys. Time to earn your keep!

I need to remove the cigarette lighter elements out of both of the units located in the armrests in the rear of the car ('67 Delta 88) as both are rusty and cruddy and I want to replace them. I've removed the full unit (ligher, ashtray, lid) from the armrest, but how do I get the lighter portion off?

I can grab it and turn it, but it doesn't unscrew or anything like that. I've included some pictures. (Love the modern digital age!)

Thanks.

 

i believe that if you put a finger inside the lighter and grab the outside on the bottom side, the retainer will unscrew and the rest will slide out the top. the retainer is the majority of what you see on the bottom side. you will have to bend your finger on the inside real hard to keep it from turning while turning the retainer. you may be able to use some kind of pliers on the inside to keep it from moving.

 

Thanks. I kind of thought it might be something like that, but it's so rusty that it's basically one piece of fused metal. I'll try squirting with penetrating oil or PB Blaster and let that work on it.

 

I may have that part from a 1967 Olds 98 if it's too far gone to save. John

 

Thanks. I need two of them, one for each side. Do you have two, or just one? Is it clean and functional?

 

I'll have to dig around the garage to find them, but I've also got some from a 1968 Delta 88. I'll see if they look the same. John

 

If used ones don't pan out, you should still be able to get a new complete lighter well assembly at a parts store. Just make sure it mates to whichever lighter you have- Casco or Rochester.

 

Thanks. My guess is that, if they're not the same, they'll be so close that who would ever know! It's not like I plan to actually light any cigarettes with them, anyway. It's for the look as well as to have a couple of 12-volt power points for whatever reason (GPS, Ipod, satellite radio...you know, all those things that were commonly in use in 1967!).



Thanks. I didn't realize that it made a difference. Isn't the size of a cigarette lighter standardized and been so for many years so that all those other things you can plug into them nowadays actually fit? Are you talking about the actual heating element itself? How do I tell which type I have? Also, I actually have only one of the two original rear seat lighters, anyway. (Hey, something else to look for at the Olds Nationals this week.)

 

I have used a rubber handled screw driver for this. Find one that fits tightly (rubber end in the socker) and turn the outer shell with pliers.

 

Great idea! I'll give that a try.