In the 1982 240d the cig lighter/power outlet is in the pull open ash tray. My problem is anything I plug into it seems to wiggle loose and loose the power connectivity. So unless I'm holding it in, I loose power.
Is this the nature of the w123? Or can I do something to fix this?

My other thought was to wire in an additional outlet somewhere.

Any ideas or help is greatly appreciated

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2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

If its the same as the w126, I had this issue as well with a cell phone charger. I would recommend taking whatever you are plugging in and bending out the outer contacts. Most plug in devices have two outer strips that snap in to hold the thing in place but also serve as contacts. You can usually bend these out a bit to make the plug a bit more snug. Perhaps do that plus wrapping the plastic areas in electrical tape to make the whole thing a bit thicker.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

When I plug in the GPS, sometimes the plug gets bumped messing with the radio, and loose the connection. doesn`t really fit all that tight.

The wire plug is long enough, I had thoughts of cutting it in 1/2 and adding a 1/4" head phone jack, then adding the female end in the console area, and wouldn`t look so intrusive.

Just in the thought stage as of now.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Thanks TC & Charlie! Looks like I need to explore it a little deeper to see what will work. I like the headphone jack idea, maybe wire up power to the female plug mounted under/ low on dash and the male end change the plug on a three outlet one?
That would give me three 12v sources without having to use the funky one in the ash tray!

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2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

Sounds like a trip to Radio Shack is coming

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2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

I've run an extra (fused) wire directly from the battery, it runs under the cover of the gear stick and has two power outlets in the console.

The GPS power plug is always wiggling loose in my 87 Champagne. The phone charger wiggles loose, too.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Glad to hear I'm not the only one....

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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

I have the same problem in both of my W123's. The iPhone charger is much worse than the GPS when it comes to working properly in the car.

I had the same issues until I purchased a new type of plug (mini USB adapter) that accepts USB jacks. This plug inserts fully into the cigar lighter, and is flush with the outside edge (allowing me to close the ash tray when not in use). The USB plugs now come with an endless inventory of adapted ends (Apple devices, Blackberry devices, etc). I got mine at WalMart...

Resulting in no more wiggle issues!

it's the strong springs in the chargers. get a double adapter, or an extension cord for the outlet, plug THAT in, and use the sockets that come with it for your devices.
it all depends on what you are plugging in.
I've had good luck with some chargers staying in.
but I ended up installing a fuse block under the dash, and wired in several 12v sockets, and a 750Watt inverter!

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I put an adapter in mine to reduce the size just slightly. can't remember where I got it though.

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1977 240D turbo

My lighter socket isn't working, trying a different ashtray and changing the fuse to a brass one and cleaning the terminals didn't help. How is that socket powered?

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1985 300D-189k The 'UD', Ivory and Pinkamino
1979 300D-211k Dark Gray, Parchment
A 1980 Harley-~166k and
A 1994 Ford diesel pickup-349k and
A 1990 gasser Volvo wagon-145k

I like having a dedicated always hot power outlet in my dodge pickup... one of the few thigns dodge did right. so I pulled one from pick-n-pull and installed it in the mercedes. The 126 has the awesome cup infront of the shifter. I installed it in that cup so its not in the way of anything and easy access. I also ran new power wires to it and gave it a 20a fuse so the "12v 20a" that the cover says isn't a lie.

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In the W123 the ashtray itself is part of the circuit. Check the card in the fusebox for which fuse powers it.

Then remove the ashtray and clean the contacts on the side of the tray. I think the tray needs to be extended nearly all the way out to engage the contacts.