Does anyone have this problem? I think it was pulled out and replaced incorrectly, sort of off track so to speak. There appears to be a spring loaded retainer catch. Any pictures, diagrams on how this works is appreciated, I don't want to break anything by forcing it open

 

This should help. I had this problem and I ended up breaking spring off. JB Weld fixed it.

 

Thank you EricD - Not shown on the diagram that you provided was a plastic cap tethered to the lighter and it was this that was caught in the door/tray 'mechanism'. Once I relieved the spring pressure by pushing down on the door/tray per the procedure in the do***ent , everything came loose and the door/tray was easily removed. Allowing for proper replacement and re alignment of the tether so that it wouldn get jammed up again.
Now - do you have any ideas about what may be wrong with my inoperative driver side seat heater?