Since we're on the subject, here's a good tip from Roy on the cig. lighter.
bmc  :)
 From: "Roy Olynick" <rrh@autobahn.mb.ca>
> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 22:33:18 -0600
> To: "Ben McCafferty" <ben@kbmc.net>
> Subject: Re:      Re: Heater/vent control panel/cigarette lighter illuminating
> lights...
>
>
> | Any ideas on shoring up the cigarette lighter when it's been removed one
> | time too many?  Both of mine are really loose.
>
> Ben, I had the same problem with my '87 Westy's cigarette lighter being very
> loose.
>
> Here is a "reprint" of an earlier posting of mine which may help you:
>
>>>> Posting number 152891, dated 15 Jun 2001 12:16:08
> Date:         Fri, 15 Jun 2001 12:16:08 -0500
> Reply-To:     Roy Olynick <rrh@AUTOBAHN.MB.CA>
> Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
> From:         Roy Olynick <rrh@AUTOBAHN.MB.CA>
> Subject:      Cigarette Lighter Removal 101
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>
> Since the archives contain no procedures for removing the cigarette lighter
> from
> a Vanagon/Westy dash, I submit the following posting based on my experience.
>
> Background:
> I have a automotive cup holder which fits into a dash cigarette lighter when
> the
> pop-out element insert is removed. Unfortunately, my Westy's cigarette lighter
> no longer fits tightly in the dash, pulling out a couple of millimetres
> whenever
> a cup of my favourite liquid was
> placed in the holder. In order to remedy the situation, the lighter had to
> come
> out, hence the following procedure.
>
> Procedure:
> 1. Remove A/C switch panel from dash to facilitate access to lighter inside
> dash.
> 2. Remove plug connector from back end of cigarette lighter.
> 3. Using a flat tip screwdriver, pry off the bulb holder which is piggybacking
> on
> the cigarette lighter housing.
> 4. The translucent greenish plastic shell surrounding the cigarette lighter
> housing has two opposing clips or barbs near the front rim which are used,
> ostensibly, to grip the
> backside of the dash and hold the lighter firmly to the dash (yeah, right!).
> Locate these clips/barbs. Using a screwdriver, apply significant pressure on
> these barbs while pushing the lighter from inside the dash.
>
> That's all there is to safely remove the cigarette lighter in one piece from
> the
> dash.
>
> Once the lighter was out, I cut a piece of thick, semi-rigid plastic tubing to
> fit around the lighter housing, between the front rim and the bulb holder
> mounting. I reinstalled the lighter in the dash, reached inside the dash
> through
> the A/C switch panel cut-out, slipped the tubing around the lighter snugly
> against the dash, and clamped the tubing tightly using a hose clamp. The
> cigarette lighter is now firmly secured to the dash.
>
> Roy Olynick
> '87 Westfalia GL
> (till death do us part)
> '91 Honda Civic SE
> '01 Honda Civic LX
>
"Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."

> From: Doug Alcock <doug.alcock@HEWITT.COM>
> Reply-To: doug.alcock@HEWITT.COM
> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 10:26:44 -0500
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Heater/vent control panel/cigarette lighter illuminating
> lights...
>
>> I too would like to know how to get that cigarette lighter out of there.
>>
>> W.
>
> If memory serves me .... open your glove compartment and remove the two
> plastic
> tabs that keep it from flopping down all the way (uh empty it first). Let the
> glovebox flop down -- you can now reach through to the lighter socket.... this
> is where the memory gets fuzzy..... I think there are a couple of small tabs
> that have to be pinched in so you can push the socket through.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Doug Alcock
> '84 Westy "BlueBelle"
> Toronto, Canada
> http://www.torontovanagon.com
>