Brian:  My thinking is that the lighter socket is shallower than the US
counterpart and you are prevented from sticking the plug in far enough for
a good grip.   I'm mountig 2 extra plug sockets in the upper left and right
corners of the front plastic panel that hides alot of nothing.  I think the
german socket is there for lifew. . Couldn't get mine out or disconnected,
So, Ill leave the dash as is.  One scket for the cell phone and the other
for CD poweer or Radar Protection.

Max Wellhouse

----------
> From: Brian Doss <BDOSS24046@AOL.COM>
> To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Lighter Receptacle '88
> Date: Monday, July 27, 1998 8:17 AM
>
> My cellphone plug falls out of the existing receptacle in my '88. I
believe
> that it is larger diameter than the american standard. I tried to get a
> different receptacle at my local VW dealer, but they said one was not
> available. So I made a copper bushing to reduce the diameter, and it
works
> fine, but wonder if anybody knows more on subject of american vs.
european
> standard. Also, I could not seem to remove the receptacle assembly from
the
> front, and was not willing to remove dash to replace it.