Sprinter 3500 V6-3.0L DSL Turbo VIN 45 (2007)
Auxiliary Power Outlet: Description and Operation
Cigar Lighter Outlet
Description
DESCRIPTION
An ash receiver (4) and cigar lighter (1) are optional equipment on this vehicle. The ash receiver and cigar lighter are located within a tray (6) that also
contains an integral coin holder and a cup holder (5). These components are all concealed within the instrument panel lower center bezel until the sliding
tray is pulled rearward. An optional bulb and bulb holder are secured by an integral mount to the outside of the cigar lighter halo ring (2), and serves to
illuminate both the translucent halo ring and the ash receiver. The lamp is connected to the panel illumination lamps circuit so that it illuminates
whenever the exterior lighting is turned ON. A small rectangular lens (3) in the inboard side of the ash receiver cup allows light from the lamp on the
halo ring to also illuminate the ash receiver.
The ash receiver/cigar lighter lamp is serviced only as a unit with the ash receiver, cigar lighter and cup holder tray unit. If the lamp is faulty or damaged,
the entire tray unit must be replaced.
Operation
OPERATION
The cigar lighter consists of two major components: a knob and heating element unit, and the cigar lighter base or receptacle shell. The receptacle shell is
connected to ground, and an insulated contact in the bottom of the shell is connected to battery current. The cigar lighter receives battery voltage from
fuse number 13 in the fuse/relay block #1 only when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or On positions.
The knob and heating element are encased within a spring-loaded housing, which also features a sliding protective heat shield. When the heating element
is inserted in the receptacle shell, the heating element resistor coil is grounded through its housing to the receptacle shell. If the cigar lighter knob is
pushed inward, the heat shield slides up toward the knob exposing the heating element.
Two small spring-clip retainers are located on either side of the insulated contact inside the bottom of the receptacle shell. These clips engage and hold
the heating element against the insulated contact long enough for the resistor coil to heat up and glow.
When the resistor coil becomes sufficiently heated, excess heat radiates from the heating element causing the spring-clips to expand. Once the
spring-clips expand far enough to release the heating element, the spring-loaded housing forces the knob and heating element to pop back outward to
their relaxed position. When the cigar lighter knob and element are pulled out of the receptacle shell, the protective heat shield slides downward on the
housing so that the heating element is recessed and shielded around its circumference for safety.
