I have the three parts (lightbulb socket, orange plastic ring, and lighter socket) I need to replace the cigarette lighter on my 2007 Mini S convertable. The question is, must the shift console be removed to replace the assembly? I've been through the posts on this forum, and the answer is unclear.

 

Yes. Screws under the cup holders, and under the mirror switch.
Curious as to why you need to replace it though. Cig lighter is generally not a wear item. I had one become disconnected once after I did some other work in that area.

 

Eric, Thanks for the reply. The cigarette lighter works, but it is loose because the orange ring is broken. The ring also doesn't light when the lights are on. I don't smoke, and don't really need the lighter, but I'd like to use it as a charger, and I'd like everything to be in working order. (I'm an engineer.) I discovered the lighter wasn't working when I bought a battery minder and tried to connect it through the lighter. The Mini will be stored for 6 months. The fuse was bad, so I replaced it. I have a cigarette lighter "plug" for the battery minder, but even with the lighter in working condition, the battery minder doesn't work through the cigarette lighter. I have it wired directly to the battery, where it is working fine. Pete

 

The lighter socket is not live unless the car is turned on.

 

So I too plugged in a battery minder that I bought from Mini last fall when I put my 07 MCS Cabrio away for the winter , went out to start Sunday DEAD , put charger on it for 24 HRS it started up first try . I will go check fuse. Why would the lighter socket need to be live to put power in .

 

Also just went down to set clock OK , it's giving me a EML & no radio , so does this mead I have go to dealership to have reset . Oh yea the cigarette lighter is working .

 

I totally appreciate wanting everything to work as it should, even if I don't need it.
Never tried the cig lighter for charging, as I'm pretty sure it (as well as the rear 'power point') doesn't work without the key on.
Are you running it straight to the battery, or via the + connector under the bonnet? I use the bonnet method, as I can close it loosely vs. the boot. Easier to reach, too.

 

The lighter socket is wired through the ignition switch. It is completely disconnected from everything (including the battery) when the ignition is off.

 

That was the point I was trying to make in a previous post. Of course there may be a difference between the R55/R56 generation of MINIs and the previous generation with regard to how the lighter socket is wired.

 

Hey unibus we are talking about 2007 Mini S convertibles which are R52's ,my mini dealer said that the one plugs into the lighter socket was for my mini. But saying that it did not work.

 

To amuse myself, I have just downloaded the PDF of the 2007 MINI Convertible Owner's Manual. Searching the manual for "lighter socket" I find on page 138 that the ignition switch must be in Position 1 to use the socket for power.

Of course this is hidden in the instructions for using the Mini Mobility tire inflation system, and not in the instructions on page 87 for using the lighter for cigarettes.

http://libraryofmotoring.info/pdf/ma...onvertible.pdf

 

Unless the convertible is different from the hatchback, there is no need to remove the console or cup holders to remove the cigarette lighter socket. Just pull on the socket and the whole assy will come out of the hole, disconnect the wire lead, and install your new socket. I've removed mine on my 2010 several times working on other projects. Oops, wrong forum; I hope the lighters on the 1st generation cars are the same as the 2nd generation or my post is bogus.