Aside from color (white/yellow), are there any other differences between lighter parts and connector or are they completely interchangeable 82-92?

JamesC

 

I'm glad you asked this James. I think they might be different. My pace car was untouched by the previous owner, but the actual cigarette lighter (the removable part used to light up) does not fit very well all in the dash. When you insert it in the dash, it wobbles around as if it it's too small. I'm wondering if the 82/83 used a larger lighter.

 

I Thought They Used A Standard Socket Size Because You Have Other Devices Like Tire Inflators,Flood Lights,Etc That Also Have To Plug Into This.

 

As far as I know there is just 2 'basic' types. Digital Berlinettas and 85+ Firebirds got a short lighter and a specific socket so that the parts would fit properly in the center console and under the ash tray lid. Berlinetta lighters were Black and Firebirds got a Grey "****". I think all 'regular' 82-92 Camaros' used the same socket and lighter element - but the **** changed shape and color in 90.

Most of the time a loose lighter is the result of bent tabs inside the receptical. Just bending the retaining tabs inside the socket a bit and the lighter will usually fit a bit more snug.

 

On my 92, the original lighter dumped and the GM replacement was completely different. I had to replace the entire assy.

 

I'm curious because my 82-91 Parts & Illustration Catalog shows nothing for 82-87. 88+ shows the following:

Element, C/Ltr (Rochester) W/**** 17071550 and 10098779 for 90+

Housing, C/Ltr (Rochester) 7028145, same

Retrainer, C/Ltr (Rochester) 17062404, same

JamesC

 

Did that include replacing the connector or having to modify the old one?

JamesC

 

The connector is the same...I think. It's been awhile since I changed it.

 

Got a part number for the GM replacement or where you purchased it?

JamesC

 

I don't have a part #, but I got it at a Chevy dealer.

FWIW, this is the original element.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/90-92-CAMARO...ef74a1&vxp=mtr

This is the replacement assy. Note the smaller size of the element ****.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/82-92-CAMARO...81aa84&vxp=mtr

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/82-92-CAMARO...81aa84&vxp=mtr

Note that the advert mentions using another connector or modifying the old.

Here's another from ModernDay Muscle. No info, however:

http://www.moderndaymuscle.com/inc/sdetail/160/24041

JamesC

 

The first Link is NOT a Factory ThirdGen set-up; It looks EXACTLY like my 4th gen set-up. Maybe it's a replacement,... not the same as the original Thirdgen.

The second Link appears to be the correct element for the 82-92 Camaro Lighters.

Here's a pic:



Top Left is 82-89 Camaro
Top Right is 90-92 Camaro
Element in center fits BOTH upper Lighters.
Bottom Left is Berlinetta
Bottom Right is: 85-92 Firebird

** Berlinetta and Firebird Element is NOT the same as the "regular" Camaro version.

 

Humm, John and posters, check out the pics in the following link and tell me what you think:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...-i-remove.html

Another below.

JamesC

 

Yup,.... I've removed the same pieces from countless dash bezels. Many times the orange/black wires are "shortened" by the assembly being turned over and over again. I'm guessing it occurs either during installation or by the cars owner trying to tighen things up to remove a rattle, or possibly the user turning the lighter to try and make better contact and turning the whole thing in the process. The little black plastic "fingers" also tend to make pulling it thru the bezel hole difficult at times !

 

John, I visited a bone yard today but only found what I've pictured above--nothing remotely resembled the piece below. Where does it go? How is it installed?

JamesC

 

My 83 lighter wouldn't fit my 88

 

I was told that there were three differ ones from a gm dealer 82-84 85-89 90-92 I don't know if this is true I have a 1000 page parts book I should look it up in there and see

 

If you look at the picture I posted you can see that the 2 lighters pictured at the top are just the plastic ****. The metal element simply screws into the **** to create a complete "lighter".

I've got an 82-87 Parts book, It shows:

82-83 'F' 17071550 Element, with **** (Rochester)
84-86 'FP' 17071550 Element, with **** (Rochester)
84 'FS' 344801 HTG, Cig/Ltr (Casco)
84-86 'FS' 14078903 W ****, Cig/Ltr (Casco)
87 'F' 17071550 Element with **** (Rochester)
82-83 'F' 3986869 Housing, C/Ltr (Casco)
82-83 'F' 7028145 Housing, C/Ltr (Rochester)
84-87 'F' 7028145 Housing, C/Ltr (Rochester)
82-83 'F' 3986870 Retainer, C/Ltr (Casco)
82-87 'F' 17062404 Retainer, C/Ltr (Rochester)
84 'FS' 3986870 Retainer, C/Ltr (Casco)
84 'FS' 14078972 Retainer, C/Ltr Hsg

I've NEVER had a problem with any normal thirdgen Camaro Lighter fitting into any 82-92 housing - UNLESS the tabs inside the housing were bent. ( there are 2 sets of tabs in the housing; one pair to hold the lighter snug in place while not in use and one pair to hold the lighter "IN" while getting hot. )

 

Well, for pity's sake. I mistook the stud that the **** screws to with the piece that inserts into the electrical connector.

Is the wiring the issue with lighters that fail or is there something else?

BTW, I saw wiring behind the connector today that had been twisted so tightly that the two wires almost appeared to be one.

JamesC

 

Ive noticed that on alot of these lighter recepticles rust is a major cause of them not working.I replaced the one in my 89 iroc vert with a clean one from the junkyard and now it works so good that it shoots the lighter out of the hole when it gets hot

 

Ya' Me too. The prongs on the instide get crudy/rusty most of the time. I've also seen many elements that have rotted and no longer heat up properly as well as the severly twisted wires.

I was thinking that the twisted wiring thing is due to automated installation of the lighter socket........ I'm betting the housing didn't "catch" correctly and rather than torqing down - the lighter receptical spun around.

(Maybe ?)

 

The one in my 92 RS is the one on the top right of that pic, the one in my 87 TA is the one on the bottom right of the same pic.