The 'E' Type Forum

Have a new cigar lighter part no. C18638 see photo.
It has a fine small dia red cable connected to the live pin and a side tab presumably for the Earth (no instructions)
On my old unit there are 2 much larger purple wires connected to the live, and a black earth connected to the side tab.
Question: Why the fine red wire if the heater element requires 2 large purple wires ??
Will I be correct removing red and connecting purple as a direct replacement ??
Thanks in advance for guidance

Yes, pull off the red and plug in the purple from the car loom.

Heuer wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 24, 2020 12:58 pm

Yes, pull off the red and plug in the purple from the car loom.

Thanks very much.
Just couldn't work out why they supplied such a spindly red wire, when for that particular cigar lighter model only came on the 3.8 had two heavy duty purple wires to carry the load.
Thanks again

It is a generic lighter fitted to many cars of the period and some kit cars. The put the tail on in case someone does not have a crimp tool and wants to just patch into the existing wiring.

Hi Heuer,
Thanks for that. The live connection point on the new unit is different from the connection point on my old unit. Not interchangeable. I won't be able to connect two fat purple cables to the new unit terminal.

Should/could I solder the purple wires to the new terminal spade so it clips straight on ?

Or could I solder the fat purple wires to the tiny red cable and put the new connector back on the terminal ?
(Just seems wrong to connect 2 fat wires to one skinny wire then connect to terminal)

Thanks again for any advice.

One of the purple wires goes to the fuse and carries 12 volts, the other purple wire takes power on to the interior light via the switch. Suggest you fit a male spade crimp connector to the red wire and plug it into the existing cable connector.



12 Volt Planet, Amazon, eBay or Halfords have them. Take care to insulate it with the correct boot.