Originally Posted by
Too many cars
Thanks for the input M60. It looks like the lighter problem is internal . The socket inner contacts/lighter holder appear to be bent up and contacting the case around it. I assume that creates a dead short. I have watched videos on getting the unit out of the dash, but nobody so far has shown how the lighter socket is then removed from it's location. If it is unrepairable, I'm thinking new ones will be hard to come by.
This is what to do with the lighter socket. Replace it with a USB charger.
USB charger
I personally prefer to use one that displays voltage. There are plenty of different options on amazon. In my daily commuter I cut a hole right above the rear view mirror and have one installed there to supply power to my phone.