Today my cell phone charger broke off inside the left dash cigarette lighter plug and I, for the life of me, can not get a piece out of it. When it broke off it also popped the 20 amp 12v power supply fuse. So now I have no way of running my portable XM, charging my iPod, or charging my cell phone!!

I need to know how to remove the whole piece and try to pry the piece out. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

Most of these 12 volt receptacles are held in place in the dash opening by a screw on collar. There will be two wires connected at the back of the receptacle, a ground wire to the collar and a power feed wire to the receptacle itself. Disconnect the wires, then unscrew the collar and remove the receptacle. Then have fun getting the broken part out. When you do, then just put it all back together and replace the blown fuse. You should be good to go then! Good luck!

 

I tried screwing the black collar clockwise and counter clockwise and nothing. I tried pulling it straight out...nothing. I really can't see how it comes out unless it's held in place behind the dash somehow.

 

I replaced one on my 01 Excursion a couple of years ago. As I recall, you have to rotate the socket in the instrument panel until a protrusion on the side of the socket lines up with a slot in the panel and then push it out from the rear. At the time, I didn't know that and I forced it out, luckily without damaging the panel. If you buy a new socket, you can examine it and see the protrusion I am referring to. (If the one on your vehicle is like the one on the Excursion.) Then it will make more sense to you. Good Luck.

 

I just went out and tried twisting it both directions with a considerable amount of force and it wouldn't budge either way. Used a pair of pliers on it and nothing.....

 

Bumping an old thread here, I hope that's allowed.

I have the same problem. I need to remove the cigar lighter and power socket. I've got the dash of my '01 F150 half torn apart so I can reach around to the back of the sockets, they will not budge. They don't rotate, I can't feel or see any clips or retainers, but I cannot remove them from the dash. I'm reluctant to apply more force for fear of breaking the bracket they're attached to and I don't feel like fabbing a new one. Anyone have any insight regarding exactly how these sockets are fixed to the dash, and how to release them?