Just (2/05) bought a '99 E320 w/27K certified miles. What an autobahn machine it is. Anyway, the lighter was not working (nor any of the many cell phone and radar detector power plugs I tried, telling me it was the socket) so I went on line and searched non-working cigarette lighter and it seems I am not alone. Here are my facts:
Fuse (No. 1 - the No. 6 port is empty) is good.
I did try fusing up No. 6 (removing No. 1) and it did nothing for the lighter BUT my turn signals stopped working. They use a totally different port. Hmmm.
The courtesy light (ash-dumping helper?) on the side of the lighter socket works, so that tells me the lighter is getting power. I don't have a socket tester but I was sure the socket had failed so instead of spending $$$ wisely on a tester I blew $27 on a new socket.
Still no joy.
What can I do to fire this lighter up?
Thanks!

I would first remove the lighter/tray assembly and test the power. If you don't have a tester just hook a 12V bulb into it. Testers are very cheap, you can get the little ones at the $1 store. Also keep in mind that the cigar lighters in an MB are not of standard size and therefore the devices you purchase will not stay connected when you plug it in the lighter. I have had to hard wire in all my accessories since the lighter is not a standard size. Other people have inserted non conductive shims in there to make it tigheter, but I would not suggest due to potential heat from power tfr and fire. I think MB recommends installing a separate power socket under the dash for items such as radar detectors and etc.
After you test the power with a bulb or tester (make sure ignition is on) if you don't have power, I think that the fuse also supplies your SRS test system is in the same circuit, does your SRS light come on when you start the car? I have seen people fault the SRS and then just pull this fuse to make sure the light doesn't come on, so check that the fuse is not just missing. There should be a list of item on the back of your fuse panel lid. Good luck.
Brian

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Brian W. Heitman

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Brian, thank you very much for your reply. The SRS light works as it should, however. Usually when I've had "no action" lighter sockets a little jiggling of the cellphone/detector/PDA power cord will give me juice, but this new socket has no power, even though it has a perfectly OK ashtray finder courtesy light on it (which tells me there's current reaching the element because the light gets its sparks from the same line as the lighter, right?)
I know I can fit an accessory socket in the car but I like everything in my cars to work right - not always the case through the years due to a stream early on of two Healeys, a TR-3, an Alfa Giulietta, a Jag XKE coupe, etc. etc. You get the sorry picture.
What to do, what to do.