97 accord besides the lighter hanging out of the console it won't charge the gps unit when plugged in. When I put the test light to the center and sides of the lighter the light comes on showing power. any suggestions.

 

Take out the trim bezel around it and look for a loose connection/ground.

 

I got exactly the same problem last week! 96 Accord. Lighter became very loose because I pulled the plug too hard the other day. Casting can be pulled out up to this level (see picture). Now I have to push it in and hold it every time in order to get power. How to fix this?

 

You need to remove the trim bezel around it.

There is a clip that attaches to the cig lighter (you cant see until you take the trim off) that is the ground. More than likely it is unplugged and when you push it in, it plugs into it again.

 

Thanks much for your reply. I removed the trim bezel around it. There was a loose metal tubing in there (connecting to the power source I assume). However, I could not secure the casting (in picture above) to the metal tubing. Where is the "clip"?

 

You may just have to put a new cig lighter in there which you can get from any auto store and will a breeze if you can solder. When you remove the trim bezel completly, you have to unhook the clock, hazard button, and then there should be a wire or two that are connected to the cigarette lighter.

 

The OEM part is cheap to replace.

Just buy it from TAS Auto and swap it out

 

Had the exact same problem, but I found the fix about 2 years ago. Take out of the radio and then from behind you can grab a hold of the lighter and "screw" it back in, you must reach back there. It takes a couple of tries but it will eventually screw back in.

 

I fixed it! "Screwing" was the key. I opened the trim bezel/dash panel again, held the metal tubing, and screwed the casting back until it was secure. Now the lighter is working as if it were new. Thanks for all your help!