[rastaman777]

I've seen this topic brought up and discussed alot, but haven't found a good solution...other than removing glove box or going to a dealer.

Front cigarette lighter, in between the cup holders, not working. Assuming it's a blown fuse, researching here it seems likely #54 in the fuse box behind the glove box.

I've tried long needle nose pliers, squeezing my hand in and other awkward methods. I am seriously considering removing the glove compartment to get in, as while I'm in I can hard wire my radar as well. I really would rather not if I don't have to.
Equally, not too enthusiastic about waiting one hour plus for the dealer to replace.

Have there been any solutions to removing/exchanging a fuse behind the glove box?

[Radioactive]

Glove box is pretty easy to remove and replace. You probably could remove, fix and replace in less than 45 minutes.

[rastaman777]

So, the 11" angled needle nose pliers from AutoZone did the job...with a lot of struggle.
Replaced fuse 54...it was indeed blown.
And of course...
IT"S STILL NOT WORKING!
Checked all the other fuses indicated for the accessory power circuit...all were good.
Help!

[stephanfradette]

Were you able to find your problem? I have the same. The fuse is OK but the cigarette lighter still not working

[karlshea]

I got my X3 used and the cigarette lighter was also not working even after replacing the fuse. I had to pull parts of the center console off to get at the inside of the lighter, the previous owner had spilled some soda or something sticky inside of it and that was preventing electrical contact. I cleaned it out and it started working.

[evilchargerfan]

so, I'm in the same boat. takeaways are:

-get LONG pliers
-#54 in the fuse box behind the glove box
-clean stuff




karlshea , more details on what you cleaned and what you removed / what parts removed?

[Marty in NY]

Pulling the glove box out is easy, its a stupid design but its easy to pull it, just did it the other day. IIRC, there are three screws under the glove box and five inside at the top of it. All torx and all the same size, 27T I think. It took no more than 15 minutes and it was out and on the bench and that allows full access to all the fuses. There will be a connector for the glove box light that needs to be disconnected so be aware so you don't yank the wires of it their socket. There is also another connector for the footwell light but you can leave that connected and just lay the bottom panel up against the foot well fire wall if you want or disconnect that too.

If you go to the rear fuse box, passenger side behind the gray side wall cover in the cargo area, you will find the little plastic fuse puller, use that when pulling fuses in the front fuse box.

.

[joshaguirre]

Correct, 54 is the fuse for the port in between the cup holders. As someone else stated, you can either op to remove the glovebox...but also you can remove the panel in the footwell to get access the the fuse box also.

BMW provides a little fuse removal tool located in the rear fuse box which you could have used instead.

I actually recorded a couple clips of hardwiring my V1 to my X3 but just haven't had the time to compile them and post them...gonna try to get it done now after seeing this post.

[karlshea]

Originally Posted by evilchargerfan

so, I'm in the same boat. takeaways are:

-get LONG pliers
-#54 in the fuse box behind the glove box
-clean stuff




karlshea , more details on what you cleaned and what you removed / what parts removed?

Basically what this guys does:

And then after that I poked around until I could find the screws to remove the cup holders/lighter, took them out back into the house and washed them with soap/water (make sure to dry thoroughly before plugging it back in).

I did find a pic, and it made me remember that it wasn't actually the sticky stuff, they must have kept blowing fuses so the previous owners took the same parts off and just unplugged the lighter completely:

[TheSlash]

Hello,
I learned how to do this on this forum. I went to Auto Zone and I purchased long nose pliers : Titan Products Needle Nose Pliers $10.99. I was able to use them to pull out #54 fuse. However, I couldn't use them to install a new one. You would need something longer. I used my left hand to install a new fuse. My hands are normal size. It's supper tight , but possible. I could not do it with my right hand. It's just weird angle. I think I was able to do it in under 15 minutes.
I have 2017 X3 X25.


You can see Fuse #54 missing right between Yellow 20A and Green 30A after it was pulled out with long nose pliers through the opening without removing glove box.