Comfort Dash cigarette lighter removal

[Devaprem]

Hello. I am replacing the centre console comfort dash as the centre console storage compartment closable lid broke. I have the VW replacement part and have managed to remove the old one.... except I cannot find a way to get the cigarette lighter out of the old one! I've read the thread Cigarette Lighter socket removal? but mine looks different at the back. There's a lot more plastic at the rear. I've also realised that I might need to get a VW 12v socket extraction tool but I'm not confident it would work in this case as there's very little flat surface for it to push against when removing the inner metal part. I could just buy a new socket if there's no simple solution. Does anyone have any ideas about how to solve this?

 

[Devaprem]

Update. I have managed to remove the green and black plastic part that piggy backs on top of the cigarette lighter - a small screw driver pressed into one side of the green part of the body undoes it. It's purpose is to provide electrical conductivity from the rear centre contact to the metal body of the socket. Now, having loosened two lugs inside the socket (at 12 and at 6 o'clock) there is some play when I try rotating it but no movement when I try pulling it out. There are two plastic lugs at 9 and 6 o'clock that mate with two holes in the metal socket and these seem to be stopping it being pulled out. I've attached new photos. Does anyone have an ideas on how to remove the metal socket and then the plastic shroud?

 

[claudefrancois]

How did you manage to remove the old one (full dash panel) ? Thanks

 

[Devaprem]

Hello Claude. Welcome to the forum I gave up trying to remove this when I discovered that there is a specific VW tool for removing this (for example: https://www.amazon.co.uk/BGS-9203-Cigarette-Lighter-Removal/dp/B075DM7PKD - it may be cheaper elsewhere, though). As I had a new centre console (the flap over the storage compartment on the old one had broken), I simply bought a new socket and retaining spring for my local VW dealer and fitted it to the new console. The part number was W1J0 919 309 B for the socket and W2H0 919 341B for the retaining spring that the socket fitted into. The total for these was £38.95. This was for my VW California T6. If you want to buy these, I recommend your local VW dealer checks these parts fit your vehicle by giving them your chassis number. Another option might be to take the console into your VW dealer and ask if they have this removal tool and could kindly get the socket out. I hope you have success, whatever option you go for.

 

[claudefrancois]

Thanks Devaprem ! - well this does not help me figure out the procedure to unscrew / unplug this panel from the dashboard (not the lighter switch, the panel)

 

[Devaprem]

Hi Claude. It sounds like I misunderstood your question - my apologies. I found it surprisingly easy to remove the centre console but this was only after speaking to someone at Advanced In-Car Tech, who offer VW Comfort Dash upgrade (which is what the Centre Console is part of). Here is what he said: "From memory, we would unplug the power socket and then unclip the surrounding plastics and then release the two metal tabs for the inner metal socket to be removed. It’s a bit fiddly but does work after some faffing around." I used a wide plastic spudger, running it along the join very carefully. After some effort, being cautious throughout, I managed to free it and then unplug the USB socket power feed and the cigarette light power feed. I really hope this all helps you