Hi all, I had been thinking of replacing my cigarette lighter as the power out is just not consistent anymore (I have to find the sweet spot to charge my phone or use the inflator on my tires).

I’m wondering what others have done to actually add usb & the cigarette style power like newer cars have. Where did you put it? Was it worth the cost? What parts were used & do you have any how to information?

Thanks,
- Brian

 

My cigarette lighter is fine, I use it a LOT, to the point I modded my car for an "always hot cigarette lighter".

Id' suspect your lighter's ring in back that keeps the lighter tight has loosened up. This may be an easy fix: Get in there and tighten it!

 

Getting the ash tray module out is not an easy job.

 

I read up on how to get the cigarette lighter out and it sounds like half of the dash has to come out… is that right?

 

Passenger side

 

I like that? Do you have a how to?

 

Just bolt it in there and run the wires up to the box next to the battery. In 07s there is a channel from above the passenger's feet to the box with the ECU/BCM/RCM in it. From there, you can poke a hole to exit the box and head to the battery.

YOu can poke a hole in the rubber seal (make it TIGHT, as the box is pressurized when the key is on to prevent dust from entering) and route the wires out...


Use the spare fuse spot in the little box....


You can order 30 amp MIDI fuses on Amazon:




Or, you can use a store-bought crappy fuse holder like I did, until my MIDIs came in the mail:


NOT SHOWN: Ground comes from anywhere you can get it. DO NOT run a ground right to the battery post - ground somewhere to chassis.

 

It’s literally one of the worst things I’ve had to do. That took more time than putting the double din kit in or even the 4 channel mod. I had to order a whole new lighter insert assembly because I destroyed it. It doesn’t look like it comes apart at all.

Edit. I for some reason thought you were talking about the lighter assembly but yes the ash tray sucked as well. I’m surprised it didn’t snap in half with all the pressure you have to use to get it out. One thing I found is the bottom two screws if taken out you can pull the bottom part outwards for better fitment when putting everything else back together. Also my little light for the ash tray was fried like I’m sure 99% of all other XF owners are. I put a nice T10 LED in there. I positioned it to where it shines up under the shifter, nice little ambiance at night.

 

So, is Pizzaguy right that I can easily tighten the lighter up (I have been using a USB that plugs into the lighter until it quit working without twisting the USB plug around until it made contact, the tire inflator was doing the same thing). I’m happy with a functioning lighter plug for now, if I can get consistent power from it.

Thanks,
- Brian

 

The lighter socket is held in with a ring that is a friction fit around the lighter body as shown in the picture.

 

And, how exactly do you reach it? It never ceases to amaze me just how difficult companies make it to fix simple things…

Thanks,
- Brian

 

I looked at a spare ash tray unit from which I had removed the lighter and remembered.
I just jiggled the lighter while pushing it out. The ring you see does not move as it is a part of the unit, it has a locating flat on the inside diameter to orient the lighter so that it does not turn.
The lighter just pushes in.

 

Just to confirm, something like this won’t do me any good?

https://www.autozone.com/electrical-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

The image attached looks similar to the one in the XF
but the fitment page on autozone did not have Chrysler or MB on the list of vehicles it would be compatible with.

if you can’t find an OEM Lighter socket anywhere, then you may be well served to purchase it for $20 bucks and give it a shot.
$20 is less than the price of a good quality medium pizza

if it works let us know
hope it all works out for you

 

For $39.00 plus shipping you can get the OEM complete assembly with spare parts for other projects
https://www.ebay.com/itm/23405101686...4AAOSw7OVgq-Ns

It may be the easiest way. Ask seller for more images. You don’t want to but it only to discover that the item you need is cracked.