Factory Cigarette Socket Lighting Upgrade for all 00-02 Crown Victorias!

      In this tech article, I outline how to upgrade all 2000 to 2002 Crown Victorias with the 1995-1999 factory cigarette lighter lighting accessory. What you will need for this upgrade includes the following:

     -   Cigarette lighter harness from a 1995-1999 Crown Victoria or Grand Marquis
     -   The following tools: Flat-blade Screwdriver, Thick rubber wrench handle.


In the 1995 through 1999 model years of the Crown Victoria, Ford had a light attached to the cigarette lighter which utilized the interior illumination circuit. This light, when activated, would illuminate the hole for the cigarette lighter. The purpose of this I suppose was to illuminate the hole so the driver or passenger would be able to easily locate and replace the lighter. As best I can tell, they eliminated this entire light as part of the harness in the end of the 1999 model year. Honestly, it's a rather silly upgrade, but if you're in the junkyard, and you have a few minutes, it's a neat feature to add which won't take much time to install.


Installation is fairly easy, you can also use these instructions for removing the desired harness from the junkyard vehicle too.


Step 1 - Remove the dash trim insert. This is the wood panelled insert that sits below the passenger air bag. This can be removed by opening the passenger door, and pulling outwards. You will need to disconnect the defog switch (if equipped) as well as the unused digital clock harness (only used in the Grand Marquis at this point).




Step 2 - Remove the HVAC controls and move them carefully to the side. There should be plenty of room to pull it out and slide it over. You should be able to see the lighter harness (circled in yellow)

Step 3 - Pull the bracket/tree clip up and off the dash console frame and carefully remove the harness.




Step 4 - Compare the two harnesses (note the third wire and side-mounted bulb on the older harness):

2000-2002 Lighter Harness


1995-1999 Lighter Harness



Step 5 - Pull the ash-tray out and remove the lighter socket by unscrewing the inside. There's probably a special tool that's used for this, but you can get away with using a thick rubber handle from a pair of pliers to catch on the side. It rotates clockwise out, and the socket should just drop away. Below is the illluminated socket at night (not much to look at, I know):