Sometimes when you buy a used car, the previous owner may not have removed the factory installed penny from the 12V power port. This will result in not being able to charge your phone, or power other devices like your dash-cam or portable espresso machine. Such was the case for me, so I put together a quick guide on how to remove the penny. Some models may come with a Cheerios and M&Ms package as well, and you can use this guide to remove those things, too.
This is for a 2014 Lexus IS350 F-Sport.
- Remove the leather side panels (L & R) with a wide plastic tool.
- Remove the two faux-aluminum panels (L & R) after removing the 3 screws holding them in.
- Pull the shift knob shroud down and unscrew the knob.
- Lift upwards on the cup holder assembly starting from the arm-rest side. Gently pull up to reveal the electrical connector and disconnect. Remove the cup holder and infotainment controller assembly.
- Take this opportunity to clean spots you couldn't reach before, unless you're a maniac and are ok with doing this process every time you detail your car.
- Undo each clip as you did with the other panels for the rest of the panel here. You'll have to turn the car on, shift to neutral, and lift up on the assembly. This has several electrical connections, but for this purpose you only need to disconnect the 12V power connector.
Doing so will leave you with this:
- Remove two phillips head screws, and two screws you'll need a socket wrench for, to remove this section of air duct.
This is where you may find the previously mentioned Cheerios and M&Ms. Your car may have different small snacks tucked away in several places.
- Use a small socket wrench to remove the nut holding half of the 12V port assembly in place.
Penny jammed in there quite snugly, otherwise this whole process woudn't be necessary.
After penny removal:
After vacuuming out the area. I'm still stumped as to how those things got there, by the way.
- Put everything back together, and you're all set!
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How To Remove the Factory Penny From Your Automobile
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