Cigarette lighter socket

[its_neil]

Do any of you know if there exists a way of having something plugged into the fag lighter socket and being able to actually close the little drawer? Can you buy 'slimline' extension cables or something?

Failing that, how easy is it to remove the trim around it so I can wire my own extension into the back of the existing socket?

 

[Welly]

You can wire an extension to anything which carries +12v. I normally use the switch live source on the back of the headlight switch (the round one). Then you can cable under the wheel and then to anywhere you want to...

Wires around the back of the ashtray are tight IMO and it won't be a tidy, or easy job.

 

[its_neil]

Is the headlamp one easier to get to then? I don't really care where +12V comes from in all honesty. How do I access that particular cluster of wires?

 

[Welly]

It's easy enough. Firstly, have you got a test light for finding live 12v sources? If not, go and get one from Halfords, a good investment.

Removal of that panel is easy enough. Take the fuse board cover off (inside the right hand door jam). You will see 4 (I think) torx screws running down the curve of the dash. These need to be removed.

There are then 3 torx screws underneath the console, one in the wallet compartment, and two the other side of the steering wheel. Undo these also.

This panel needs a bit of a yank to come off as it is also on spring loaded clips.

Once out, the wiring for the headlight switch is readily visable.

Use your test light to pinpoint switched live (i.e the live source that turns off when the ignition goes off). Use this wire for whatever you need.
There is also a good earth point underneath there - this will be obvious, but IIRC it's a dome nut.

Hope this makes sense?

 

[its_neil]

Cheers mate, I'm more than comfortable around electronics so have got a multimeter!

I'm guessing I can run the extension behind that panel OK? is there room to run the wires?

 

[Imteyaz]

I'm looking at doing something similar, I've already got hold of a 12v socket from the boot of a Golf4 in the breakers yard and I'm hoping to cut a hole inside the glove box so that I can charge my sat-nav without leaving any cable to show. I noticed that there was an easy way of connecting the earth to a bolt near the steering column (as Welly pointed out earlier):

Just a case of finding a switched 12v supply (easy enough) and fitting an line fuse.

Most Golf MK4's came with a 12v charger point in the boot as standard, retrofitting was easy too as the cabling was already in place, did the A3/S3's have anything similar?

 

[Welly]

Cheers mate, I'm more than comfortable around electronics so have got a multimeter!

I'm guessing I can run the extension behind that panel OK? is there room to run the wires?

Plenty of room around the back there to run wires matey, yes. :icon_thumright:

 

[Welly]

I'm looking at doing something similar, I've already got hold of a 12v socket from the boot of a Golf4 in the breakers yard and I'm hoping to cut a hole inside the glove box so that I can charge my sat-nav without leaving any cable to show. I noticed that there was an easy way of connecting the earth to a bolt near the steering column (as Welly pointed out earlier):

Just a case of finding a switched 12v supply (easy enough) and fitting an line fuse.

Most Golf MK4's came with a 12v charger point in the boot as standard, retrofitting was easy too as the cabling was already in place, did the A3/S3's have anything similar?

Not in mine mate, but that's not to say it's true of all.