Light replacement for power outlet/cigarette lighter?

[mistersh0w]

Hello, I recently had my armrest-back-seat power outlet fixed up at the dealership, but just realized that the ring around the outlet doesn't light up anymore! Did the dealership repair people just forget to plug in some easy wire? Or did they sneakily replace my power outlet with one that doesn't light up? Do non light up power outlets even exist? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[PostO]

Originally Posted by mistersh0w

Hello, I recently had my armrest-back-seat power outlet fixed up at the dealership, but just realized that the ring around the outlet doesn't light up anymore! Did the dealership repair people just forget to plug in some easy wire? Or did they sneakily replace my power outlet with one that doesn't light up? Do non light up power outlets even exist? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Those outlets have a small bulb holder that's accessible by popping out the entire assembly. It's possible the bulb burnt out or the wire may have been disconnected.

[mistersh0w]

Thanks for the response! If the bulb is burnt out, where do you think I would be able to purchase a replacement? Also, if it's a wire that has been disconnected, is the solution as simple as plugging said wire into something? Sorry for being so "newb-ish" I just would really like that outlet to light up again... Perhaps I should just take it back to the dealership? Though, i'm not under the manufacturers warranty anymore...

Also, when you say the bulb holder is accesible by popping out the entire assembly, do you mean by taking apart the armrest console?

Thanks again for your help!

[PostO]

OK, I apologize but I may have given you bad info. The bulb holder appears to have a captive bulb so replacement isn't as simple as the earlier VWs, which is what I was thinking about in my first reply.

I happened to have an extra console piece with the lighter plug so I took some pictures to better explain it. Sorry for the poor quality...

The first photo shows the entire assembly and the green bulb holder is held on by the black clip.

Photo 2 shows the black clip removed just by pulling it straight off.

Photo 3 shows the bulb holder removed, also by pulling straight off.

I didn't see any part number on the green holder so I'm thinking it may come as an entire assembly with the orange part. That part includes the spring loaded flip cover. (If you have an early 2001 NB or prior, the covers aren't spring loaded, just caps that push on.)

Also if the socket without the light is by the hand brake, you can pop up the top part of the console but the armrest may prevent it from being lifted up enough to give you clearance to pop the socket off.

So hopefully it's just the wire that didn't get plugged in. But if the socket has power, then it's most likely the bulb. Sorry for the wrong scoop earlier but it's not as easy as I made it out to be. Good luck and hope this helps.

[mistersh0w]

Awesome! Thank you so much for the detailed images! I really lucked out seeing as you had that extra piece lying around! Don't worry about the slight misinformation before, it's not like I was gonna rip into the arm rest willy nilly!

Anyway, ok looks a little self explainatory... I'll have to wait for some daylight to really look into it, but to be specific, my power outlet that is non-working is located in back of the arm rest facing the back seats, and above the pop-out drink holder. So I should be able to just have a seat back there, and pop off the manual "pull out" power outlet. (which before I brought it in to the dealership, was the pop-out spring loaded one.. Which I actually preffered over the manual pull out one they ended up installing... I'm guessing they just threw in what they had on hand...) Which brings me to a question, with an answer that I may not enjoy: If in fact the replacement power outlet they installed is from an older beetle, is it possible that it doesn't light up at all? And if that's the case, would it be possible to switch it out for one that does have the light up feature? And at that point, would it be better to just take it back to the dealership and ask about the option to install one with the light up feature? Seeing as they, at that point, have replaced my light up one, with one that doesn't?

[PostO]

Glad the pictures helped.

I didn't know that NBs came with an outlet by the rear cupholder. You must have a vert. Anyhow, if it was working before you took it in, then I'd say have the dealer replace it with the proper part since it sounds like they messed with it.

If the socket you have now has that orange ring around it, then yes it is meant to be illuminated. I don't recall seeing any non-illuminated sockets in the late model VWs. You should have that green bulb holder too. I'd tell them to get you one with the spring loaded cover since that's what you had originally. You'd think they'd be competent enough to do it right the first time but I guess anything goes when you're talking about the "stealer".

Good luck getting this fixed!

[mistersh0w]

Originally Posted by PostO

Glad the pictures helped.

I didn't know that NBs came with an outlet by the rear cupholder. You must have a vert. Anyhow, if it was working before you took it in, then I'd say have the dealer replace it with the proper part since it sounds like they messed with it.

If the socket you have now has that orange ring around it, then yes it is meant to be illuminated. I don't recall seeing any non-illuminated sockets in the late model VWs. You should have that green bulb holder too. I'd tell them to get you one with the spring loaded cover since that's what you had originally. You'd think they'd be competent enough to do it right the first time but I guess anything goes when you're talking about the "stealer".

Good luck getting this fixed!

Hey, thanks again on the info. For further clarification, I have a 2004 turbo beetle, just bought it used less than 2 months ago, then it was still under manufacturers warranty, currently it is not. It came with a pop out power outlet in back of the armrest, above the pop-out drink holder. One day, I clicked in the power outlet door to bring it out and the damn thing just wouldn't pop back in! So I took it in to the "stealership" (love that by the way, it's so true...), and they said they would fix it, no problem. I come back for the car, they don't even show me what they fixed, they just toss me the keys and say "have a nice day!". I get home and check it out, turns out it was replaced with the manual pull out power outlet door, and it doesn't light up. Now, i'm not sure of it, but it's possible they replaced the entire plastic armrest, because the door that you can manually pull out to get to the power outlet, has a little groove that now fits into the entire unit, so you can get your fingers into it, and pull the door out. I'll take some pictures if you'd like. All I know is, if I can't get the light working with my hands/tools available, I'm definitely bringing it back.

Also, if there's just a wire that needs to be plugged in to get the light some power, will it be pretty self explanatory on where to plug it in?

Thanks again!

[mistersh0w]

Ok so I pulled the piece out, and guess what? No green piece! No black piece! I'll take some pics and show you later tonight, but they definitely pulled out that non working power outlet door, and put in a half-assed one without the necessary components for lighting the outlet! So I definitely need to take this stuff back to the stealership... Also, do you think I should flat out say, I explored a little and saw that there's no bulb unit at all? Or should I play dumb and just say: "So, I noticed that this outlet no longer lights up...what gives?"? And, last question, I noticed as I was exploring just now when I pulled out the inside oultet, that with the lights on, the trunk power outlet also has no ring light. And on further inspection, it had no orange ring at all... Is this standard, that the trunk power outlet has no light up ring? Thanks again!!

[PostO]

Hah! I'd definitely tell them that you noticed the outlet doesn't light up and you want it fixed with the correct parts. Maybe there might be an '04 or later NB on the lot that they can look at if they don't believe you. I didn't realize they moved the power outlet at some point. Oh and also I checked my trunk and I noticed there isn't an orange ring either so I guess there are outlets that aren't illuminated. I don't hang out in my trunk as much as I should I guess.

Also, the wire plug that goes into the power outlet is keyed so it can only plug in one way. If you see 3 wires in that wiring harness, then most definitely you had a lighted socket to begin with. Hope the dealer can straighten this mess out!

[mistersh0w]

Well, i've been duped! I went to the stealership today, explained to them it lit up before they "repaired" the spring loaded door. The guy looked at me like I was an idiot, he said "Hmm, I didn't know those power outlets lit up in the newer models... We'll look into it.." So I stood around for about 15 minutes, they guy comes back telling me the redesign of the power outlet does not have the light up feature... He then proceeds to cut me off any chance I have to speak up about it, and he tells me something about a part number the parts guy was gonna waive for me or something... To be honest i'm not quite sure what really happened, next thing I know they're sending me on my way, and i'm driving home thinking they fixed the part. I get home, turn on my lights, expect to see the ring glow, and yet again it doesn't. So I popped the top off, and low and behold there's no green or black piece!!! So, they totally spun me in circles while not really doing a thing about my problem!! I didn't really have a chance to request the old part be put back, but maybe I should at this point eh? At this point i'm so fed up with this particular STEALership that I don't really want to go back... There's another Volkswagen stealership about a half hour down the freeway, i'm wondering if I should just go there.... Though without being under the manufacturers warranty i'm not sure how i'd be dealt with there...

At this point, i'd be willing to just buy the damn components necessary, just to not have to deal with those ASSES again! Would you possibly be willing to part with your parts postO? For a fee of course. I'm just so frustrated at this point... i'm truly never going back there!!

[PostO]

Dude, that totally sucks. I have part numbers for the outlet assembly because I added an extra outlet in one of my other cars. When I get home from work I can see if I can find them. They didn't cost all that much if I recall.

So they put in the spring loaded part but it was missing the bulb assembly?

[mistersh0w]

Originally Posted by PostO

Dude, that totally sucks. I have part numbers for the outlet assembly because I added an extra outlet in one of my other cars. When I get home from work I can see if I can find them. They didn't cost all that much if I recall.

So they put in the spring loaded part but it was missing the bulb assembly?

No they didn't put in a thing! They just looked at it! God I feel like an idiot for waltzing out of there without looking at the outlet first... I just don't know, they were very manipulative, and made me feel like a moron... Also, where would I buy these parts from when you find the part numbers? And is it true that the new outlets don't have the light up feature?

[PostO]

OK, the part number for the spring loaded flip cover which includes the green bulb holder and black clip is 1J0919341G. The metal socket is 1K0919309. That socket is probably the same as the one you have but getting the orange plastic assembly off is a bitch. You could probably break it off so you can reuse the socket with the new flip cover. Also, once you slide that metal socket into the orange piece and it "clicks", it's pretty much permanent so you'd want to fit the orange piece through the hole in the console piece first, then slide the socket in.

You can buy the parts from 1stvwparts.com, a VW dealer in WA state. https://www.1stvwparts.com/part_number.html

Or if you're on the east coast, vwpartsvortex.com is a dealer in NJ. http://www.vwpartsvortex.com/

The parts will run you around $22 total plus around $7 or $8 shipping. You might want to call one of your local dealers as they might be the same price when you factor in the shipping.

As far as VW changing the socket to not light up, I don't know for sure. I would think if it's in the passenger compartment, it should be lit. One way to check is to unplug the socket and see if there are 3 wires in the harness. Positive, negative, and the third wire is switched for the light.

Hope this solves your dilemma once and for all!

[mistersh0w]

Originally Posted by PostO

OK, the part number for the spring loaded flip cover which includes the green bulb holder and black clip is 1J0919341G. The metal socket is 1K0919309. That socket is probably the same as the one you have but getting the orange plastic assembly off is a bitch. You could probably break it off so you can reuse the socket with the new flip cover. Also, once you slide that metal socket into the orange piece and it "clicks", it's pretty much permanent so you'd want to fit the orange piece through the hole in the console piece first, then slide the socket in.

You can buy the parts from 1stvwparts.com, a VW dealer in WA state. https://www.1stvwparts.com/part_number.html

Or if you're on the east coast, vwpartsvortex.com is a dealer in NJ. http://www.vwpartsvortex.com/

The parts will run you around $22 total plus around $7 or $8 shipping. You might want to call one of your local dealers as they might be the same price when you factor in the shipping.

As far as VW changing the socket to not light up, I don't know for sure. I would think if it's in the passenger compartment, it should be lit. One way to check is to unplug the socket and see if there are 3 wires in the harness. Positive, negative, and the third wire is switched for the light.

Hope this solves your dilemma once and for all!

Awesome! thanks for the info! All I really need is the black piece and the green piece... I don't need the flip cover that covers the power outlet, as the one I have currently is just a little compartment that has the outlet in it. I also live near LA, so i'm not sure which online store would be the best one to order from... thoughts?

[PostO]

If that's all you need then I tell you what. That power outlet that I put in my other car I didn't hook up the electrical for the lighted ring. I'll pull off the bulb holder and clip and just send it to you...gratis! Yes, I said free! Just "pay it forward". You know, do something nice for someone else.

PM me your addy and I'll send it off.

[mistersh0w]

Originally Posted by PostO

If that's all you need then I tell you what. That power outlet that I put in my other car I didn't hook up the electrical for the lighted ring. I'll pull off the bulb holder and clip and just send it to you...gratis! Yes, I said free! Just "pay it forward". You know, do something nice for someone else.

PM me your addy and I'll send it off.

HOLY AWESOME! Dude you rock! Thank you so much!!! With all these bad experiences with the stealership, and general frustration surrounding some car problems, this is an amazing breath of fresh air! Your kindness won't go unnoticed! Thanks again, you have been an amazingly helpful person from the start of this thread, and I appreciate your awesomeness!! I'm sending my address in a pm right now.

Thanks again!