Hi all - this is my first post

Anyway, my wife just bought an '05 Cooper, and the front cigarette lighter doesn't work. It won't heat up the element, or charge a phone, gps, etc. I've looked everywhere online and can't find an OEM part to replace it. The dealer wants $250 to fix it (pssshhhhh yeah), so I'm hoping the gurus here can help us.

J

 

Dumb question, but have you checked your fuses yet?

 

Sorry, forgot to mention that - yes, I have checked the fuses, and they're fine.

Interesting side story...the passenger door lock was broken, so we couldn't program the new key we 'thought' we needed. Then we fix the door lock for $500...turns out the dealer says there's a sensor in the side mirror that is keeping us from programming the key and THAT need to be replaced for another $250. Huh?

 

The lighter socket has two plugs on the bottom. After checking fuses, next check to see if it has come unplugged.

The socket itself is a pretty darn simple thing... can't imagine that the problem is the socket itself... unless it's full of caramel mocha.

In that case, it costs $4.00.

Here's the diagram:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=61&fg=35&hl=2

How to find OEM parts:
Go to RealOEM.com
Enter your model, manufacture month, etc.
Browse or search to find the parts your looking for.
Call a MINI dealer (like Morristown or Classic MINI who offer NAM discounts) or, if you must order online, go to PelicanParts.com
Select "BMW" at PelicanParts
Paste in the part number from RealOEM.
Part price will be shown.
Order

 

I'm trying to replace my socket now, but can't get the darn thing to come out!! Any tips?? The socket won't come out if the luminous ring and I can't detach the lightbulb thing from it arghhh

 

Are you pulling it out from the backside?

 

I lifted up the console to see why it wasn't coming out, but I couldnt figure out how to take off the lightbulb thats attached to the luminous ring. The socket can turn within the ring about a quarter turn but that's about it. It pulls out a quarter of the way out of the luminous ring but thats about as far as it goes..

 

You probably have another cigarette-type socket in the trunk panel. You can swap this one with the front if it's just a faulty socket.

Not sure exactly how it comes loose but you have to remove the panel, as it appears you've already done.

 

I think that luminous ring is the one that has to come out for the whole lighter to come out, I took out mine to replace the amber ring" it was broken anyways so it came out easily but as it turns out my 05 didn't have a bulb so I just bought another Ring and installed the socket.
By the way check to make sure that you don't have a penny stock in there.... I know it's silly but possible, good luck

 

Man, second post to help me today. Finally figured out how to pry out the cigarette lighter from the holder. It was the sticky latte holding it together......

Can finally charge my phone now.

 

Yea, they can stick when coffee or soda is dried in there.

Here is the break down.



Socket For Cigarette Lighter Part # 61346973035

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/61346973035/ES2674216/



Which has the little yellow luminous ring surround, which slides over-top and lock the cig socket in place. You can access this from taking out the panel cover the console.

Luminous Ring Surround - Priced Each Part # 51167052720


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51167052720/




If you need a new plug stopper ( blank ) or for people who don't want things to drop in there.

Cigarette Lighter Block-Off Plug Part # 51168222183


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51168222183/ES86890/




Or

Lighter Element Part # 61346969134


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/61346969134/ES168948/




Good luck.

 

so I'm a little unclear as I'll be doing this over the weekend. Does the lighter come out through the top? My illumination ring is cracked but the lighter does work for charging cell phones, it just moves all around.

I'm purchasing all the pieces to replace all the parts from ECS. $17 total. But then I'm adding the dual port USB Charger they have too. Nice edition with the red ring and considering my mini is Crock Red.


Any help would be much appreciated. I really don't want to remove the entire center console just to replace the lighter.

 

If the luminous ring is cracked just pull it out you'll have to replace it anyways so no need to remove anything but putting back on you have to be careful not to brake the new one, if I remember correctly I think that I placed the ring in the hole first the lighter I think that if you place the plastic ring first you'll have a hard time getting it in place but I'm not sure just keep that in mind and use common sense before you do anything once that orange plastic thingy is in place you will not be able to get it off the lighter without braking it

 

If I want to take the black housing off the two Spade connectors how do I release them from the plastic?

It's not obvious how to release whatever clip is holding the metal and wire inside the black connector.

 

nevermind, I figured it out. The flat part of the metal connector, not the part that has the curl down its that grab onto the Spade, you need to slide a screwdriver in between that and metal and the housing plastic. That will let you pull the connector and the wire back out of the plug

 

Yes, just a small flat head will do it.

 

I wrote this up on another thread here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4301684