12v cigarette lighter

[chrishbbq]

Howdy,

I purchased a generic 12v cigarette lighter from an auto parts store today, unpackaged it, popped it in, pressed down on it and it didn't stay down. Tried it again, held it down for 5 seconds to see if it was even warming up and what have I done.. - the cigarette lighter had melted something in the socket as well as the contacts from what I can see! Is the 12v socket not able to be used with a lighter?? Whaaaat?! (2008 Golf TDI Pacific)

Our second car (1996 Volvo 850R) has a cig lighter that when you press it it clicks in until its done! The lighter in the Golf worked fine when charging my phone - at least it did until today...

Have I done something wrong - 5 seconds should not have done anything!
I have also noticed the "ash tray" is rubber lined - what? Not that I would actually use the inbuiilt ash tray to butt out but still.. I use a nifty cup thing. It works.

Other than this my MkV TDI is going superbly - hit 150k a few weeks ago

[wai]

Are you sure you purchased a cigarette lighter socket and not an accessory socket?

An accessory socket is not intended for a cigarette lighter. It does not have the gripper that holds the lighter in and releases it when heated.

If a cigarette lighter is not held in on its own to heat and then automatically release, the you have an accessory socket which is just a power outlet.

[Umai Naa!!]

There's two different sockets listed in the parts catalog.

Sounds like your car doesn't have the smokers pack.

[chrishbbq]

... oh bugger. I didn't know a smokers pack was a thing now - so what do I do?!?!
Can I buy a replacement socket WITH the cigarette lighter as the option?!

[Umai Naa!!]

Yeah, you should be able to buy the cigarette lighter and socket for it. And the ashtray too, if you want to go all-out.

[chrishbbq]

Yeah, you should be able to buy the cigarette lighter and socket for it. And the ashtray too, if you want to go all-out.

I don't really want to ash in the car but if it comes as a pack I may as well.. thanks guys - at least I didn't go back to the auto store and go on a rant about it. lol. It's what us wogs do best...