Civic: Cigarette Lighter / Socket

Hi folks,

I've had my Civic for a little over a year. Yesteday, I used the
cigarette lighter adapter (don't really know what it's called) for the
first time to plug in an air compressor. After I was done, I tried to
take it out, but it wouldn't budge. I tried twisting it, turning,
pressing it, nothing. Finally, I lost my tempter and just yanked it out
leaving a piece of the socket behind with some copper wire sticking out.

Will it do much harm to just stick pliers in there and "yank" the rest out?

 

Don't know what, if any, damage you might cause, but it seems your
options are fairly limited.

Be sure to disconnect the battery negative terminal before sticking
pliers in there. What I don't get is why so many manufacturers, even
well known ones, can't seem to make a lighter plug that fits in regular
cars without causing damage.

 

Well, disconnecting the battery is a little extreme, especially if you have
a security radio. make sure you have the code handy to unlock it.

Or, just pull the fuse for the accessory socket. Will accomplish the same
thing (in regards to working on the outlet) and won't cause you to have to
reprogram things (unless of course your accessory outlet is on the same fuse
as the radio).

 

Good point about keeping the radio code handy. On my '94 Civic the radio
and the cigarette lighter is indeed on the same fuse. Don't know what
year the OP has.

 

Same thing happened with my cellphone charger. It fit in my old car
fine, but got stuck in my '04 Civic. They had to remove the panel to
get the broken piece out, then had to replace the socket. It's not
normally covered by warranty, but they fixed it for free since the
car's so new.

 

Wouldn't turning off the key accomplish the same thing?

Greg.

 

Only if your car cuts power to the plug with the key off. I know my Accord
does, but am not sure about all years/models. That's why I took the safe
bet and suggested the fuse.