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Posted by: BuddyV Feb 23 2020, 09:32 PM

What's the best way to remove the housing for the dash accessories?

AKA, the part of the cigar lighter that is set into the dash.

i would rather NOT remove the entire dash. Hoping someone can decribe a simple method.

Thank you.

Posted by: cuddy_k Feb 23 2020, 10:02 PM

Disconnect battery. Reach up behind the dash. For the lighter, spin off piece that holds it tight against the dash.

For the headlight, fog and hazard switches, first spin off the knob (counter clockwise), then remove the flat escutcheon "nut". You may need a special tool like this...

https://www.mtmfg.com/part/view/escutcheon-tool-works-on-all-dash-switch-escutcheons-fits-10mm-12mm?part=ZVT-012-941&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr_mE2qbp5wIVg5OzCh3wxgKREAYYASABEgJKgvD_BwE

(not sure if this is the correct tool, but it looks like this. Mine has no markings on it.)

Posted by: bbrock Feb 23 2020, 10:31 PM

The cigar lighter is different from the other switches and is a bit of a PITA. The housing slides through the dash from the front and then a round spring retainer slides on from the backside to hold it in place. It's easy to install but kind of a pain to remove. I use a plastic body panel pry tool to wedge between the back side of the dash face and the spring retain and wiggle it back and forth, working around the retainer as best you can, to work it off. Here's a pic of the parts.

Posted by: BuddyV Feb 23 2020, 10:49 PM

YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

I can take it from here. I really helps to get an explanation of what is on the back side.

Cheers!

Posted by: barefoot Feb 24 2020, 05:47 AM

My lighter socket was different from the one pictured, it had a spin on NUT that was easy to remove.

I made my own tool to remove the switches by slotting a nickel with a hack saw.

Posted by: sjhenry1075 May 14 2020, 09:03 AM

QUOTE(barefoot @ Feb 24 2020, 07:47 AM)

Posted by: aturboman May 14 2020, 09:10 AM

Early lighters were retained by a spring ring (picture above) which is a PITA to remove. The later cars (1974-) from my experience had a large nut like retainer with a compression spring holding them in which made it much easier to remove and install.

QUOTE(barefoot @ Feb 24 2020, 04:47 AM)

Posted by: Dave_Darling May 14 2020, 12:31 PM

I used a pair of needle-nose pliers for the "escutcheon". Open them up partway so the tips of the pliers fit in the slots or holes (I think there were some with holes instead?) and spin it off.

--DD

Posted by: rgalla9146 May 14 2020, 12:46 PM

The cigarette lighter is one of the most annoying disassemblys on the car.