Flaky Cigarette Lighter Socket + Upcoming Road Trip =

[ProZak]

need a new one? I'm going to plug in an inverter to power my laptop so the kids can watch movies while we drive to the beach. Previous attempts to power a cell phone or other device from the lighter socket required constant fiddling to keep the circuit closed and functioning. Or maybe it's as simple as bending some metal?

If I have to replace the socket, RealOEM says it's part # 61 34 1 378 716 (http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD63&mospid=47404&btnr=61_0750&hg=61&fg=35&hl=37); BMA and BavAuto don't have em, according to the websites. Can anyone help?

Thanks in advance.

-Zak-

[winfred]

probably needs cleaning, pull the fuse before sticking any metal cleaning device in there

[Chris'91'525i]

The instructions for my 400 Watt inverter recommends a direct connection to the battery if the devise is to be used for an extended period of time, or if devise is drawing at or above 150 Watts.

[ProZak]

Yeah, I won't need to draw that much for just the laptop. I'm pretty sure the adapter only pulls 65 watts, and I won't be running anything else with it. Thanks for the heads-up, though.

[Traian]

I have nothing to contribute, but I'm kinda curious how you solve it, mine is also kind of on and off depending on mood...

[BillionPa]

i just wired some leads directly to the battery so i can plug whatever the hell i want directly to it, like inverters and trickle charges and the like.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

of the the plug.

the BMW lighter is bigger in diameter then most US stuff

[joshua43214]

of the the plug.

the BMW lighter is bigger in diameter then most US stuff


yep, euro car lighter sockets are bigger than US ones, you can get a sleeve for it. You may have to get a power adapter from radio shack or something if you can not find the sleeve separately, I know NAPA used to sell them, not sure if they still do.

[Jon K]

Yeah I have the same issue when using my tire pump, i have to hold the socket because it has too much wiggle room. It's truly annoying. I usually open one of the other cars in the driveway to pump up MY tires.. heh

[TheEndIsNear]

I went and bought generic replacements from Schuchs Auto and put them right in. Mine were not working at all when I bought the car. It was an easy install and you cant even tell the differance.

[SchnellE34]

my cigarette lighter was loose and needed a jiggle to power stuff up also... while i had the center console apart, i cleaned the inside and pushed the two metal contacts toward the center to hold plug inside better, works perfectly now. I think you have to take most of the center console out to get the ash tray bracket out and remove the power socket itself, let me see if i have a pic...

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h314/cpurcell34/pushin.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h314/cpurcell34/mounting.jpg

[Jon K]

I'll just deal with it :P

[SchnellE34]

where the fun in that?

[Jon K]

I am having "fun" with other parts for the car right now ;)