Cigarette Lighter

[Marlin F.]

Sorry guys, I looked in the Archives and was unable to find a direct response to this question. The c/l in my 66 ragtop does not engage the housing when pushed in. The element heats as long as I hold the lighter in with my finger. Is this more likely a problem with the housing or the lighter or both?

Thanks in advance...

[Peter L.]

Re: Cigarette Lighter

Marlin - First, please check and the lighter element assembly. It should be a 63 CASCO 12V (stamped on the side). If not that is a problem.

Next check in the housing and at the back of the housing there is a separate piece attached to the back of the housing that should have 3 fingers and these engage and hold the end of lighter element assembly in position to heat it. After the years, these fingers become weaker or break and can no longer hold the end of the lighter element assembly during the heating cycle.

The fix is to probably replace the piece with the 3 fingers a the back of the housing or you can try and adjust these fingers so they grip and hold the end of the lighter element assembly; BUT before you attempt any work or adjustment be sure to disconnect the battery. You can replace the housing with a newer one but the newer housing only have 2 fingers, that's an originality issue, but it should solve your function problem.

Have fun. Pete

[Marlin F.]

Re: Cigarette Lighter

Thanks, Pete! It sounds pretty straight-forward!

[Larry M.]

Re: Cigarette Lighter

Marlin:

Pete is right on with his advice as usual. The adjustment he mentions is easy............but make certain the battery is disconnected. I think I used a thin screwdriver or a thin needle nose pliers. Just go easy.

There is also a second adjustment to consider. This adjustment keeps the hot lighter element from poping out unto your lap and ruining your day. For this, you slightly bend the metal fingers or retainers on the forward sides of the lighter housing. You will see them if you look in with a flashlight. If you bend them out a bit, it will hold the hot lighter in the housing until you pull it out. Again, just do in small steps until it is correct.

I believe these adjustments are also discussed in the archives. Search under "cigarette lighter" or "lighter".

Larry

[Ronald L.]

Re: Cigarette Lighter

Casco supplies these elements to many an OEM to this very day, first hand experience! and hot pop is a real day-ruiner (also first hand experience!). These dimensions to tweak this and that are fractions of a milimeter, measure what you have and with feeler gagues or a digital caliper make very very slight adjustments to the tangs, but as Pete and Larry have said verify you have the correct element first. Look to be sure you do not have oxidation or corrosion, clean all the cotact points.

[Rocco C.]

Re: Cigarette Lighter

what is a good product to clean this area with?