I'm leaning toward moving a gauge to the cigarette lighter spot in my '05. My question is this:

How do you get the dang lighter mechanism out without breaking it? I'm thinking that I want to relocate it to the passenger side of the HVAC controls, where the seat heater plug would be if I had them (I think that's what the extra wires plugged in to the dead connecter are behind that dash panel). It would be a great spot to move it, since it would better configure the heated blanket my wife uses since I don't have heated seats and it's a keyed power source.

 

Really? No one knows how to get that lighter plug receptacle out of the dash panel?

 

Cool spot at first. Then ya find out you cant see your gauge when your shifter is in drive...

 

It is a force fit in and out

Take the panel off, use a wrench or set of pliers to twist the assembly 90 degrees so one of the '****' is aligned with the small keyed opening in the plastic...then get it started by lipping that side out...once its started and the whole things is a little angle and partially out....smack it hard and it will pop out the rest of the way.

 

From the '06 manual:

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Pull the cigar lighter **** and element (1) out of
the cigar lighter receptacle base (6), or unsnap the
protective cap from the power outlet receptacle
base (6).
3. Look inside the cigar lighter or power outlet receptacle
base and note the position of the rectangular
retaining bosses (3) of the mount that secures the
receptacle base to the panel (4).
4. Insert a pair of external snap ring pliers (5) into the
cigar lighter or power outlet receptacle base and
engage the tips of the pliers with the retaining
bosses of the mount.
5. Squeeze the pliers to disengage the mount retaining
bosses from the receptacle base and, using a
gentle rocking motion, pull the pliers and the receptacle
base out of the mount.
6. Pull the receptacle base away from the instrument
panel far enough to access the instrument panel
wire harness connector (2).
7. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector (2) from the cigar lighter or power outlet receptacle base
(6).
8. Remove the cigar lighter or power outlet mount from the instrument panel.


Dan

 

GOOD LUCK !!!! Just went through all that and yes it does work BUT..... Not without a lot of twisting. After you get it out you will notice that you have broken off the two plastic little retainer tabs. I don't think they are much at the dealer.
Worlk at it pull and twist and try and push the two small plastic retainers as you do all this. Good Luck

 

I actually noticed the gauge / gear selector problem yesterday. Thanks for all the tips, I imagine it's going to end up getting removed with the BFH.

 

Mine popped out pretty easy. I put the gauge for my airbags in there, it works good but I have a 6 speed. I just relocated the lighter to the knee panel under the steering wheel. Have a Dremel handy to clearance the dash so you can fit a gauge in.