Chevrolet Repair: replacing cigarette lighter in 1997 Lumina, test light, lumina

Question
I have a 97 Lumina with a broken cigarette lighter. I bought a replacement lighter but I can't get it installed. I thought the old one would just unscrew from the dash, but it won't. I then tried to take off the dash piece where the lighter is, but I can't pry it off-I feel like I'm going to snap the thing! How can I replace the old lighter?

Answer
Hi Maggie,
First, have you checked down inside the lighter socket with a test light to see if there is power to the center contact?
be careful to not touch the side of the socket with the test light at the same time, as that will blow the fuse.

The inside of the socket is what you need to turn to unscrew it. But you will need to get to the back side of it to complete the task.

Van