Cigarette Lighter: Description and Operation

An ash receptacle and cigar lighter knob and element are located in the instrument panel.

The cigar lighter knob and element has a low-resistance heating coil which operates much like the coil used in a portable heater:
- When the cigar lighter knob and element is pushed completely in, the circuit is closed and current flows through the heating coil to the ground.
- When sufficient heat is generated, the cigar lighter knob and element will overcome the spring pressure of the bimetal retaining fingers and be released.