remove cigarette lighter 2005 2006 2007 Ford Focus

[coppertits]

I made the title long so it can be found through google. I did do a search on this and none of the other threads were very helpful, so I'm hoping that this can help people in the future.

Story: I was taking out the cluster to get to the stereo (cd player broke) and scratched the face. So I'm going to paint it. Everything came out really easy BESIDES the cigarette lighter
After searching for hours and looking at the thing, I decided I'll take one for the team and brake the thing then figure out how it goes, or at least the way I "think" it goes...


The scratch on the top left that started it all...


The black ring around the metal is what you have to try to hold while you push the lighter through..


Like this...
But don't let me fool you. I thought this was glued in there, but it wasn't. Pain in the booty to get it out!


From the side.


Looks so easy. But it's not.


The before paint.


SAND THIS THING!!! Makes the paint adheire better. I used a very fine 220 grit sandpaper. DO IT!


The after paint.


I went with a little bit of a darker color then what was factory.

So here's a video I made that shows how the stupid thing is "supposed" to come out.

YouTube Video

Oh yeah, that black ring spins. That's what you do after you shoot the lighter across your room after being frustrated with the ordeal...

[Sponsor]

[TaylorinAlaska]

Lol, two tabs, but one notch for them to come out of!? I pushed one tab through with a screwdriver, then spun the thing and worked the other one through. This woulda helped with my removal, thanks for the post!

[nlguy60]

lol..great video. now i know...

[jhurst747]

Good job man. Strangely, mine came out without a problem yesterday...haha...it popped out almost on accident when I was doing a HU swap-out. I got lucky I guess!

[bringler26]

I wonder about the '00- '04 models

[coppertits]

I swear I've seen a few things on how to do it for a pre- 05 fofo, but I can't find the link anymore. I'll look around some more later and try to post a link. Maybe in the "how-to"'s?

[bluefront]

Well I replaced my lighter socket with a power socket (they are different) on my '06. It didn't come out as easy as the video. In fact.....the job was terrible. I had to smash the Ford socket and break it into pieces.

Unless absolutely necessary.....I wouldn't even try to do the operation. My 2c.

[coppertits]

I agree ^^ That video is after the piece was broke. But that is the way that it is supposed to come out. Some say it comes out easy, but you and I got the shaft on that...

[Vamluna]

Man, your video made it seem so easy! lol. My husband tried and tried to get it out, till eventually he said screw it, and stuffed the hole with paper and painted over it. haha

I'm sure we just weren't doing something right, but good job on that video. I'm sure it helped and will help others with this problem.

[focusmachnone]

I used a socket small enough to hold the ring but big enough for the lighter to go into. Tappy Tappy with a rachet (you know when you cant find the hammer) and it came right out. By the way why put an area for illumination to lighter if there is none. Thanks Ford!! LOL!!