Drop in lighter woes

**Peter** · #1 (**permalink**) 04-04-2004, 10:31 AM

I recently acquired an ashtray and lighter with console for my 67 Duetto. The lighter does not seem to work. Not that I plan to actually use it, I would like it to work. How hard can it be? Anyone know how these work, and what could be wrong?
Also, I think these ashtrays are supposed to be lit, but I can not see where a bulb should go. Anyone care to post a picture?

Thanks!

Lazzman · #2 (**permalink**) 04-06-2004, 07:47 AM

Peter- been meaning to post this but haven't had the time till now. My '78 spider MAY have the same ashtray as your car- I am not sure. But on my ashtray, the light is mounted at the top of the device as pictured underneith. The switch is a funky contact that is interrupted when the tray door is closed. As for the lighter, I am looking for a new one, but could not imagine why it wouldn't work- did you check to see that voltage is getting to the device? Have just finished rewiring my car and the schematics they have on this forum is nothing less than spectacular. Have you downloaded yours? Good luck. Ger

**Peter** · #3 (**permalink**) 04-06-2004, 08:01 AM

Thanks for posting a picture, but my ashtray is an older model, and looks completely different from yours. I attached a picture (this is not the actual unit, but similar).

I took the lighter out, and hooked it up to 12V outside the car, so I am sure it is getting juice, and ground.......

Lazzman · #4 (**permalink**) 04-06-2004, 09:00 AM

Bummer. Sorry Peter- hope you figure it out. Ger

canguro · #5 (**permalink**) 04-07-2004, 12:57 AM

Peter, I have the same lighter/ashtray in my Duetto. Because she's in the shop, I can't provide pictures just now, but I recall there are three wires connected to the lighter mechanism. To one of the wires should be connected a bulb socket that screws on to the bottom of the console beneath where the removable ashtray sits. The bulb is turned on whenever the head/parking lights are turned on, providing illumination through the opening where the cigarette is to be dropped in. The cigarette lighter heats up when you push down on the knurled plastic surround. After I get the car back, I'll try to take some pics.

acurtiss · #6 (**permalink**) 04-07-2004, 01:06 PM

Hi Peter,

I've been restoring the lighter and ashtray light on my 67 Duetto as well. (See here: Ashtray light problem - 67 Duetto)

On mine, the red lead connects to the base of the lighter mechanism, and the ground is supplied by a black wire that attaches to the lighter spring clip via a spade terminal, and is bolted to the ashtray housing for the ground to the chassis. I think the lighter's ground is made when the knurled plastic ring is firmly engaged, i.e. when the metal of the spring comes in contact with the part beneath. Because of the actual purpose of this mechanism (to light cigarettes!) it might be pretty gummed up inside, so that could be why yours isn't working. Cleaning it up with some electrical solvent and working the plastic up and down for a few minutes might help--it did for me.

Aaron

PS: If you do end up getting your light to work correctly, let me know. I'm also curious how your light is attached (or is it missing altogether?). If you have a picture of the inner part of your ashtray that would be great. The light on mine seems to be pointing in a direction that would prevent any light from ever reaching that little opening in the ashtray housing, but there doesn't seem to be a way to change its position. I have a digital cam on order; as soon as I get it I'll provide some pics of the setup.

PPS: As far as I know, the 66 and 67 Duettos used a small ashtray and lighter unit like the one in Peter's pic. The 1750s (and some later year?) Spiders used the larger console version in the other picture.

**Peter** · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2004, 02:16 PM

Thanks! It looks like there should be plenty ground, but I will try some solvent, there may be too much tar..... I do not have a light in there at all, and see no evidence a light was ever there. Now, my ashtray is from a 67 GT Junior, I think, so although they look the same, there may have been a difference. A picture would really help
Thanks!

**Peter** · #8 (**permalink**) 04-11-2004, 09:13 AM

wanted to give y'all an update on my lighter problems. I have found out what the problem is. I have it working intermittently, and am still looking for a more permanent fix. Let me try and describe.
The positive, red wire that connects to the base, supplies power to the coil that actually should turn red hot. Power is supplied to the middle, and through the coil should touch the outside of the little "saucer" that is holding it. The coil and saucer are all rusted, so power does not make it to ground.
I took the coil out, and got rid of some rust, so it sometimes works now. I would really need a fresh coil, so I am thinking of buying a cheapo lighter from Autozone, and try and take that coil and put it in mine. Any ideas if that could work? Is this stuff supposed to be spring metal? Mine is not (anymore?)

acurtiss · #9 (**permalink**) 04-14-2004, 11:38 AM

Hi Peter,

Just curious how this is progressing. Any luck retrofitting the lighter?

As for the light, do you have a white lead and a red lead going to the ashtray? The white lead is for a light. I'm still waiting on my digital camera, but once I get it I'll send a picture of what my setup looks like.

Aaron

**Peter** · #10 (**permalink**) 04-14-2004, 02:45 PM

I have not had the time to try anything yet, but I will keep you posted. As for the leads, yes, I have a red wire, that has constant juice, and a white that I have not been able to test, as my headlight switch stalk is out.
A picture would be really appreciated, thanks for the offer!!

acurtiss · #11 (**permalink**) 05-11-2004, 10:23 PM

Hi Peter,

Well the camera finally arrived and I was able to take a few pictures of my lighter and ashtray assembly. I had it apart again because my lighter had become stuck in the engaged position. I have since broken the thing in a dumb attempt to figure out if the bottom 'saucer' part was loose. (Don't try tightening it too hard -- the tiny bolt that holds it on is rather fragile. Ask how I know.) Did you find a way to retrofit a newer lighter coil onto the original? As gimmicky as it is, and as little as I'll actually use it, I kind of like the design of these cigarette lighters. It seems very Italian -- kind of like how the glove compartment is perfectly sized for a bottle of wine. (Again, ask how I know! ;-))

Anyway, here are three pictures. You'll just be able to see how the ground wire attaches to the spring clip on the lighter. And the other picture shows very clearly the light socket and how it's mounted on the ashtray itself.

I hope this is helpful. Let me know how it goes.

Aaron

**Dan Walker** · #12 (**permalink**) 05-12-2004, 01:04 PM

Good info! As always, the answers are out there! I acquired my '67 Duetto with no ashtray present, so I looked around and found the later style assembly from a '69 on eBay and bought it. After contemplating the clever electro-mechanical arrangement to light cigarettes, and deciding I probably won't take up smoking at this late stage in my life, I committed a further sacrilige when I rewired my car and replaced the lighter with a standard 12V receptical so I could use it as an outlet to accomodate my cell phone charger (yes- I saved the lighter in case I ever want to retrofit it!). It's a neat installation, looks right in the car (although not original to '67's)- I also connected the hidden ash tray light to the dash instrument light circuit so it comes on when I open the slide cover at night- not a lot of useful light, but kind of cool anyway. I've thought about looking for a '67 style ashtray assembly in case I ever pursue restoring the car to all original interior, including the long missing rubber mats and door courtesy lights and switches. For now, the car is a blast to drive, mostly original, and a work in progress. Someday..... Dan

**Peter** · #13 (**permalink**) 05-12-2004, 10:32 PM

Thanks Aaron, this is really helpful. I don't think the ashtray insert that I got with mine ever had the light, as there is not hole (I think, I need to double check as the whole ashtray is being rechromed right now). Seems pretty easy to fabricate though.
As far is fixing the lighter goes, I made several fruitless attempts, and I left it at that for now. Need to find this great idea, and that just always takes some time, in my case

I may break, and end up spending big $$ on a new one, but I prefer the challenge of fixing things!!

Canuck Duetto · #14 (**permalink**) 06-17-2006, 12:32 AM

Thought i would add that i received my ashtray from a alfabb member here. The lighter did not work after i plugged it in, as i am sure most do not...

What i decided to do was test for current with a light at different points in the lighter..what i discovered what that the centre of the element had current but not the edge where it grounded to the filament holder....i then pryed the filament up and found where it had broken..much poking with my power tester and scraping...I removed the material after the bgreak and stretched out the filament enough to loop it through a small hole in the filament holder...this now made the circuit complete.....and presto working lighter,,,total cost .....30 min

hope this helps

**greg** · #15 (**permalink**) 05-18-2007, 11:31 AM

Is lighter has on the bottom round white fuse if yes it probally burnt.
I took away this fuse but leave long bolt there and connect with inline 7.5 amp fuse. i did that on mine and it works.Also lighter remains in engage possition if it pressed when current is not there.It took me awhile to get this one working.it works now like new.
Hope it helps.