How Do You Gain Access To Back Of Cigarette Lighter Socket?

I have a 2006 Tacoma (SR5) that both the cigarette lighter socket and the 12V power socket to the right must be worn out, as I typically cannot get my plug-in USB adapters for my phone to work. It seems to be getting power, as the charger will occasionally work if I wiggle or shift it around until it finds the magic spot. The same thing happens if I use different plug-in USB adapters as well.

Anyhow, I was considering removing the cigarette lighter socket and replacing it with a hard wired round dual USB port. The port requires a threaded nut to secure it in place from the back. Does anyone know how to remove the center trim piece I highlighted in the photo or an easy way to get access to the back of the cigarette lighter socket, or do I have to take like half of the dash apart?

 

Whole center dash has to come out. Sounds daunting but it’s not. Tons of videos on YouTube if you look for stereo installs.

sell me the cigarette lighter socket if you get it out please. My 2014 dash only has 2 12v sockets

 

This thread has a list of everything you have to remove.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...and-moving-oem-switches.474151/#post-14342466

 

A cigarette lighter socket won’t fit in a ‘14 lower dash panel. The hole size is different and the panel thickness is different.

 

Well this is all I needed to see.
WTF

 

Challenge accepted! Good looking out, I didn’t actually know that but I’m sure I’ll make it work.
I just want another fire source

And FWIW, what the guy in the write up you linked did is maybe the safer way but all that plastic around the steering wheel doesn’t need to come out. Loosen that one upside down plastic fastener on the right side of the wheel and there’s enough give to pull out the center dash surround bezel.

 

You could probably get 1 of the universal cigarette lighter sockets from Vatozone, etc. to work. They have a rear shell that screws onto the main part so hole size isn’t as critical.

As for the instrument cluster bezel, yeah, that’s the way I did it when I swapped in the ‘12-‘15 lower dash panel into my ‘06.

 

I would find it much easier to pull the cig socket out and clean/inspect the unit, replace, or tap wires to the cig connector to install some usb ports. You can remove that storage cubby compartment by prying it up and out. That might give you a little access to the back of the cig.

 

My OCD would cause me to do this to find and retrieve a lost screw during reinstall of the stereo.

 

Allow a question based on the '06 HU install.

Wouldn't the backside of the cig lighter/power port be accessible with the climate control panel removed????

 

Barley.



It's a tough reach no matter which 2.0 taco it is. But I've seen people do it that way with an extraction tool.

 

Could you be more specific on the "extraction tool"?

My ham hands and short sausage fingers sound like they may be insufficient. I may be able get my daughter with her small racoon hands to jam into the dashboard. I'll have the HU out at that time. May allow a little more access.

 

I can't remember what it was called but it looked like dental wire pliers lol



So here's the back of the panel in a '14. (I don't have anything earlier) the 12v outlet it clipped to the bezel and then clipped to the power source. So if you were able to jam your daughters hand down there and bypass the sharp plastic edges, then somehow blindly release each piece... I would be amazed lol.

Honestly, taking apart the trim is your best and safest bet. Super easy.

Here's another method:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...enter-console-clean-look-lots-of-pics.306779/

 

Good grief!!!!!

That sucker is really buried in the dash....................

 

Dealer had to warranty replace the cigarette lighter socket on my 2014 when the cover broke off. They told me if you use a dental pick and press the appropriate tabs it will come out. I believe them because they replaced it in 20 minutes. Before that I was under the impression the dash had to come off which had me worried since I had lots of custom wiring run behind it.
Hopefully they use the same or similar socket on the 2006.

 

There are no cigarette lighter sockets in 2014, I believe 2008 was the last year

 

Dental pick! That's what it was.

 

You're telling me that a simple GD toothpick might work to remove the cig lighter.

Or pull apart the whole fn dash.