8 replies to this topic

[jminisprite]

hey

i want to fit a cigarette lighter in my mini (for charging my phone and running a tomtom).
i can easily wire it up but would like to know how to install it next to where the switches are. (fog lights, heated rear windscreen etc) want to fit it to the left of the switches so it matches the heating control to the right.

only trouble is there is a bracket holding the switch bezzle on where i would like to fit it.

any suggestions?

my car is a 1996 1.3i mini sprite

[nightflier]

Jim, the problem is that daft bracket - it needs to be attached to the front switchplate, welded ideally, or possibly using a strong modern adhesive? Then you can drill out the hole, and fit.

I did this with my old pickup, but the switchplate on that is screwed through form the front - much easier!

[jminisprite]

thats true, didnt think about drilling the bracket, looks pretty strong though.

adhesive? superglue, gaffa tape and cable ties will fix anything lol

tiger seal would probably work...

[nightflier]

Not heard of that, but a good, strong adhesive should do the trick

Bracket is pretty tough, mind! But if you could ahem 'adapt' it to suit your purpose, then you'd be OK!

[Danny_California]

I need to do this aswell, my socket is just hanging down behind the dash

I didnt realize that there was an integral part behind there. So just pulling the plate out, drilling the hole and slotting in the socket, then putting it back in wont work?

[nightflier]

'fraid not!

Rover, in all it's wisdom, decided to make the switchplate and both brackets which attach it, seperate items. They are all held together by a nut tightened onto the rather cr*p alloy housing of the choke and heater cable bodies!

Edited by nightflier, 25 June 2008 - 10:26 AM.

[Danny_California]

Oh right... Not having a clue what behind the switch panel looks like, what am I going to be faced with? And whats the best plan, high strength adhesive?

[nightflier]

As above, reall, DC.

You have to pull out each of the switches, and disconnect them - this just gives more room to play. Pull the wiirng forward, and over the switchplate face, saves hunting for them all later.

You have two small nuts which hold the brackets onto the dash panel, and these are a pain to get to. You'll need 1/4 in drive sockets to get to them (thought the passenger side one is easier to see and get to, do this one first, so you have an idea. Undo those two nuts, and the switchplate will come forward a limited amount, as both choke and heater cables normally have a little slack in them. You may want to disconnect them completely, if you are removing the plate assembly to work on it.

You need to undo the two bigger nuts which hold the cable body, plate and brackets together on the 'choke' side. After this is down to you.

I'd try to bend or reshape the bracket, possibly knock-up a new one and use try adhesive first. I'd be tempted to glue the other one (heater) too - as it can be really fiddly to get all the brackets, plate to line up where they need to be on reassembly. I have not done this, it is just my own opinion. You will need to ensure the brackets line up true before gluing them permamently

In true Haynes manual-style, reassembly is the reverse of the above!

Don't think I missed anything?

Good luck!!

[minicooper1.3i]

I did this sucssefully on my SPi. By removing the switch panel and cutting the arm with the threaded stud on it off the bracket, I then silver soldered it onto the body of the fag lighter socket. It was a bit fiddly to get the angels right, but it turned out very well indeed.

Not bothering on my MPi though because I've got integral sat nav in the stereo. Going to fit one in the glove box for charging the phone (out of sight) and one in each of the rear bins for the kids DVD player.