Lighter Socket

larchielads · 29-08-2009 10:55pm #1

ok maybe not the best thing to be talking about involving cars but here's my problem. i drive a 2002 opel astra and mi ipod charger doesn't fit in the lighter socket.its like its really loose when i plug it in and the slightest nudge and it falls out. my house mate drives a newer type astra 05 and it fits his lighter socket perfect and my other mate has a 2000 model and he has the same problem. is it just my car or whats the problem?? i cant charge anything fom it. Any help would be appreciated.

sundodger5 · 30-08-2009 9:22am

if the gap is not too big i would try to bend out the two side connections on the charger lead.
for most car charger accessories this is what keeps them in the socket.
you should be able to get a mm each side.

larchielads · 31-08-2009 2:29am

thanks i'll give it a go

larchielads · 01-09-2009 12:19am

nope no luck

ChristyCent · 01-09-2009 1:45am

would it be safe to wrap tape around pary of the plug to thicken it?

larchielads · 01-09-2009 11:36pm

doubt it very much......... any way woludn't the tape prevent any contact being made????

CJhaughey · 02-09-2009 11:31am

larchielads wrote: »

ok maybe not the best thing to be talking about involving cars but here's my problem. i drive a 2002 opel astra and mi ipod charger doesn't fit in the lighter socket.its like its really loose when i plug it in and the slightest nudge and it falls out. my house mate drives a newer type astra 05 and it fits his lighter socket perfect and my other mate has a 2000 model and he has the same problem. is it just my car or whats the problem?? i cant charge anything fom it. Any help would be appreciated.

Fit a new one, you can buy replacement sockets at most motor factors.
If you are not sure about fitting it get an auto spark to do it.

colm_mcm · 02-09-2009 5:38pm

the Astra has a 12v socket which is smaller than a cigarette lighter. you can solve it by wrapping tape around the plug, but not on the contacts.

ChristyCent · 02-09-2009 5:50pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

the Astra has a 12v socket which is smaller than a cigarette lighter. you can solve it by wrapping tape around the plug, but not on the contacts.

Thats what i meant

CJhaughey · 02-09-2009 6:18pm

Sounds like a DIN 4165 plug also known as Hella plugs Or BMW Hella plugs.

larchielads · 02-09-2009 6:24pm

CJhaughey wrote: »

Sounds like a DIN 4165 plug also known as Hella plugs Or BMW Hella plugs.

?????

colm_mcm · 02-09-2009 6:54pm

CJhaughey wrote: »

Sounds like a DIN 4165 plug also known as Hella plugs Or BMW Hella plugs.

Definitely not. a Hella plug is way smaller than this

We're talking a difference of maybe 1mm in the size of the socket, fitted to a lot of cars as 12v sockets.

larchielads · 02-09-2009 6:57pm

so if i wanna change the lighter socket what exactly do i look for in the autofactors?

colm_mcm · 02-09-2009 7:02pm

I'd buy a universal 12v socket (not cig lighter) and fit it between the seats, or wherever you keep the ipod. did this on my old car, used a holesaw to cut the centre console out. 5 minutes of a job.

CJhaughey · 03-09-2009 9:29am

colm_mcm wrote: »

Definitely not. a Hella plug is way smaller than this

We're talking a difference of maybe 1mm in the size of the socket, fitted to a lot of cars as 12v sockets.

Ah I know the one!, I have one in the Landcruiser on the other side of the ashtray. It doesn't work though so I might change it to a DIN plug.

Lighter Socket

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