Has anyone replaced the cigarette lighter below the stereo in the center console? On my 05, the one cigarette port is taking up a whole section, seems like a huge waste of space. Also, I just noticed that the owners "quick start" guide says "do NOT plug 12v accessories in to the cigarette lighter port".

I am thinking of putting 3 power ports, or 2 ports and a brake controller in there.

 

It's probably because it's always on & the accessories would drain your battery, or maybe because some accessory plugs are the wrong size & could blow the fuse. The sockets that are MADE for accessories are shaped to prevent that.

As long as you run new wires on new fuses to your new sockets, there's not much to it.

 

Thats the strange thing. All the 12v power points (front, rear and cig lighter) are always on.

 

All American Vehicles run the the 12v anything all the time. Although handy, as people lug thier cell-phones in and it charges it etc. It is a mixed blessing. I remember before we took a road trip in my mom's expy a few years ago, my dad plugged in the cooler the night before...long story short my dad was cursing up and down the garage looking for the jumper cables.
~Phil

 

You can find almost anything on this site. I just noticed tonight that the led on my Verizon cell charger was on when I went into the truck to bring something inside. I didn't know the 12v stayed on. It's been plugged into the socket for about a month now. I'm glad I found out now than when I'm out in the middle of nowhere camping for the first time in this truck.

I'm also curious about doing something with the cig lighter. I was shocked when I even saw it. This is an 07. I would have thought that those would be gone by now.

I don't have many complaints about this truck but the use of space inside the cab was kind of a let down. The cig lighter is a good example. Put one in if you must but does it have to take up that whole space? Do the other trims have the same thing and has anyone done anything with their's?

 

The oval is that size for the traction control button ( off button like the OD ) and ( I think ?) the backup alarm disable button

If you want, you can order the 12+ outlet ( outlet and trim ring in front ) and cut in 2 more sockets there, and use the 12+ power plug fillers from a Mustang for covers ( actually get 3, so they all look the same ). The 12+ power points, I seem to recall are ~ 12.00 each online.




I think the only reason the OM makes a note of using the power point vs. the cigar lighter is the cigar lighter is also powering the DTC port, it is a 20A fuse like the power point.

Actually Ford does this with the cigar lighter, and power point, my '95 dodge ram, the cigar lighter turned off when the key was turned off. Chevy I think also has the outlets powered up when key if off. ( can't recall from the rental cars at the moment ).

 

SSCULLY,

I had a charger melt in my cigar lighter from the instrument panel. I am trying to replace it, and remove it from the plastic trim. How do I remove it? And where can I order a new one? The plastic trim piece seems impossible to remove.

THanks

Ct

 

Not to sure how far you need for 'remove it', so if some of this info is remedial, apologies in advance.

The Center trim panel is held on with 6 spring clips. You can see the slots on each side in this picture


2 down at the bottom by the screws for the ash tray, 2 right next to the radio, and 2 at the top where the PAD light is at.

Open the ash tray, and use a plastic hook tool to get behind it, and pull out. The 1st time it is a hard pull.
Work your way up each side, pulling the spring clip on one side, and then the other before moving up to the last set.

Once the center trim panel is look, remove the connectors on the cigar lighter ( and TC Park aid if equiped ).

Once the center trim panel is out, in the picture in my post above, you can see the tabs on the black trim. Release the tabs, and the complete black trim panel pulls out from the front.

Once out, the cigar lighter is held in place with the black trim ring, which has tabs into the side of the cigar lighter. Release the tabs, and pull the cigar lighter out from the front. Leave the black trim ring in, as the tabs will not allow it to come out as the same time as the cigar lighter.

The cigar lighter you should be able to order at the dealer or one of the Ford dealers that sell parts online. Price may have gone up a bit since this thread was started.

Hope this helps.