Help,

The cigarette lighter socket of my 2000 V70 fell through while I was trying to plug in my cell phone's hands-free adapter. It has the wood trim in the center console. I really wasn't using that much force. The dealer told me that, even though the car is under warranty, Volvo will not cover the repair. He is charging me almost $400 to repair the socket housing. Is there anyone who has had the same problem ? Is this something I can fix myself? i tried to pull-up the wood trim but I/m afraid I might crack or break it.

Victor,

Yes, if you're talking about the rear socket. The problem is that the console cover, when fully raised, will strike the adapter plug.

The pressure will snap off the retaining tab that supports the lighter. It isn't a defect although it is a thoughtless design. My replacement costs @ $60.00. Also, it takes about 10 seconds to remove or replace the piece that holds the socket.

If it's the front socket, I haven't got a clue.

Good luck,

Bryan

On a stick shift (I just checked) you can access the back of the lighter socket by snapping up the leather shift boot. I don't know about the automagic. Volvo wood, BTW, is just an applique glued on top of the plastic surface. I'd be reluctant to try pulling it up. The lighter socket itself seems pretty firmly affixed to the plastic of the console. Was the plastic top of the console itself broken?

And was the $400 estimate just for labor???? Or does it also include replacing the top of the console? Since that might also include removing and replacing one or both front seats, in addition to the cost of the console top, and removing and regluing the wood, $400 might be very reasonable.

You might possibly get a better price from an independent Volvo shop.

-Uncle Olaf

'98 V70T5M 61 kilomiles, IPD stabilizer bars, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, IPD wiper relay, IPD headlight stoneshields, Valentine-1, studded Vredestein Snowstars