Fix a Lighter

Sometimes a lighter can get stuck or broken. Generally it's a quick fix, but it's also very easy to buy a new one. The first step is diagnosing what is wrong with your lighter, and then you can get to work fixing it. Don't get frustrated if it doesn't work immediately - check all potential problems before you give up. If your lighter has sentimental value you may be able to get it working again.

Steps

Diagnosing Your Lighter

  1. Ensure that it isn't shattered. If you broke the plastic part of your lighter then you'll need a new one. The pressure is compromised and you won't be able to use it anymore.
  2. Look for rust, debris, or dirt. If you've left a lighter outside for a long period of time the metal wheel on top might be rusted in place. If it won't spin, it won't light. If there is only dirt and debris inside the lighter you might be able to clean it out with your fingers or a pipe cleaner and get it going again. [1]
  3. Check the fuel tank. Luckily the most common problem with these lighters is their incredibly small fuel tank. When this no longer holds enough fuel or enough pressure, it needs to be refilled. [2]
    • The most prone to mechanical and/or internal failure would be the non-reusable Bic lighters.
  4. Look to see if there is a spark. If there is no spark, that means that there is no flint. The flint is the piece of equipment that the wheel rubs against to create a spark. The spark lights the fuel and gives you a flame, so the flint is extremely important.
  5. Check to see if the flame is small, burns out, or isn't present at all. If the flame burns out then you could be running out of fuel. However, if you just recently bought the lighter there might be an issue with the fuel reaching the spark.

Fixing Your Lighter

  1. Refuel your lighter. To do this for most lighters you'll need to buy a butane can. You can buy one of these at your local hardware store. Make sure you bleed all of the remaining fuel out of your lighter first. Turn the lighter upside down with the fill valve facing upwards. Put pressure on the fill valve and keep the lighter away from your face and away from anything flammable. [1]
    • Make sure the butane can nozzle fits in the hole in the bottom of the lighter. It has to fit in the upright position with the lighter on top of can. You'll want to insert the nozzle then flip the whole contraption upside down so that the lighter is under the can. Now apply pressure until you feel the metal of the lighter get cold. That means you've successfully gotten the butane inside.
    • For a Zippo lighter you'll have to buy Zippo lighter fluid from the Zippo online store.[3]
    • Keep in mind, it's probably just easier to buy a new lighter unless you are attached to your current one.
  2. Replace your flint on a butane lighter. [4] The flint is the piece of equipment that creates the spark. It's tiny black cylinder about a quarter inch long. To replace the flint, remove the metal surrounding the flame and the spark wheel. You'll have to twist it out of position. Once you have removed the metal you'll see that there is a spring. The spring should be about an inch to an inch and a half long. The flint is the small piece of equipment that is about a quarter inch. It will be black and cylindrical. The flint is used to make the spark. Remove the flint from this spring. Now put in a new piece of flint. Reassembling the lighter is easy - put the flint in, stick the spring back in the hole, and then place the top back on.
    • You can buy a new flint for 75 cents online.
  3. Replace your flint on a Zippo lighter. To replace the flint, flick open the lighter, and pull up on the chimney. The chimney is the thing with five holes of each side of it. You'll want to pull until its all the way out. Under the chimney there should be a piece of what looks like cotton that is held in place by a screw. Carefully unscrew the screw and pull it out along with the spring and small piece of metal inside. Drop the new flint in, replace the spring, tighten the screw, and replace the box back in the lighter casing. You should be good to go. [3]
  4. Remove the metal that surrounds the flame hole if it is small or burns out. This means you have a problem with your fuel release. You can do this with tweezers, needle-nose pliers, or anything else that works. Turn the nozzle from which the gas escapes counter-clockwise a few times. It might just be too tight. If that doesn't work you might might need to get yourself a new one. Luckily they aren't that expensive. [4]

Tips

  • Bic lighters usually have a child-proof safety-band over the spark wheel which can become quite annoying...but to get rid of it just remove the metal the surrounds the flame and pull up on the safety band until its free (with pliers or fingers)
  • The easiest way to remove the metal around the flame (or "chimney") would be to use a blade or slender object to pry the side away from the button...just far enough to make it over the latch that holds it in place
  • When refueling a Zippo, it helps to leave the lighter upside down for a few seconds or a minute after having put more lighter fluid in
  • When tampering with any lighter, there is a risk of explosion... so be careful

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.ebay.com/gds/Quick-Tips-on-Getting-Your-Lighters-Working-Again-/10000000055683047/g.html
  2. ↑ http://www.buylighters.com/my-lighter-hisses-but-wont-light_ep_59-1.html
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://www.zippo.com/customercare/repairs.aspx
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.cigarextras.com/lighter-care-and-repair/

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