mazetto

I got a flat on my right rear tire the other day (which by the way is a PIA on this car) and I used the pump that comes with the car and now I can't find my cigarette lighter.

I'll bet you its on the side of the road somewhere. Any ideas on where to get a new original cigarette lighter?

Also, the blank spot next to the cigarette lighter...... what are you guys putting in that spot so it doesn't look like something is missing. I would like to fill it if I can.

Thanks
Mike

David in LA

The blank is for the rear fog lights; there is a DIY on Robin's p-car.com site if you want to retrofit it. I don't smoke so my cig lighter is replaced by a rechargeable LED flashlight or the cord for 9500 radar detector when I am not using the V1 - both of which are more practical to me

jimq

I have a USB charger socket in mine.

mongrelcat

I like the ideas for the led flashlight, and USB plug. I seek both at thinkgeek.com, but the flashlight looks sorta cheesy. David or anyone; What model flashlight are you using? I see one made by Browning that looks decent (from what I can tell.)

H.H.Chinn

My V1 plugs into the lighter socket but I have in the past fished it out of the chassis cavity underneath the passenger seat rails. Did you check there?

mongrelcat

Good point Harlan, I believe there is an as-yet-undiscovered supermassive black hole under the passenger seat of my car.

axl911

Same thing on mine. I used the cig ligher to power my laptop for a bit. Now can't find it.

I bet you that you would find that missing cig ligher once you buy a new one.

David in LA

The one I have I bot from Gert or maybe an Audi parts specialist....it was quite some time ago..it's a very small aluminum billet anodized in black...size of a shotgun shell...I'll try to get a pic.

It looks similar to this but black and less markings.
billet flashlight

I just took a look at Carnewal and they have a new aluminum one but it does not sit in the socket but is rechargeable if you take the end off; they also have an all black version that looks a little big and chunky. I think it's better to have one that sits in the socket all all the time otherwise it defeats the purpose.

mongrelcat

Thanks David. Looks like there are only two manufacturers and each make one design, and everyone else rebrands/resells those two. Neither model looks too great IMO. Both have reviews that mention fitment issues in some cars...

http://www.12vspotlight.com/
http://www.ledlenser.com/product/Automotive

There a zillion companies that sell all kinds of high-qual specialty lights (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forum.php), it's disappointing that seemingly none of them make a good auto-led device.

axl911

I had one of those high lumen rechargeable LED flashlight. It doesn't really fit that great in the lighter socket since our socket is and odd size.

It does put out a good amount of light for its size. But after a year, it went dim and wouldn't work anymore.

mazetto

Thanks Guys, I'll give the car another go around. If I don't find it I'll either try and buy another to find something to replace it with.

davesnothere

When I lost my cigarette lighter, I replaced it with a "no smoking" blank:

https://rennlist.com/forums/4638338-post15.html

- Dave

csertich

I didn't have a cig lighter for the first ten years I owned my car. Until I removed the passenger seat to install some seat extenders.
chuck

ehanauer

I use a VW Touareg mini LED flashlight in the lighter receptacle. Looks great and is functional.