Cigarette lighter stopped working?

[PieEyedPiper]

I was using my cigarette lighter to power a 12v air compressor to pump up my mountianbike tires, like I have done 100 times before, when I figured it would be a good idea to check the tire pressure of the car itself and fill as needed. I hooked up the first (and only) tire and pumped it up to 40psi, right before the 44psi max threshold of the tires. But before I could turn it off it had already shut itself off. WTF
I flicked it (the compressor) on and off a few times with no result. I fiddled with the plug and everything seemed fine so I began to suspect I blew a fuse. I checked the fuse box and the fuse was fine. I even switched out the blue 15a that was in there for a spare 20a I had I still had no power to the lighter socket.
I've since dismantled the assembly several times hoping to figure out what was wrong, but, to no avail. I even tried to turn on my amp off the 12v source that connects to the lowest point of the lighter housing with no result.

King of strange for is to go bad mid-use without blowing a fuse, eh?

 

[DGajre777]

Once I blew my fuse, I took the cig lighter crap out and put a horn switch in there.

See if you see anything burnt on the outside, maybe it got hot and shut off.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Once I blew my fuse, I took the cig lighter crap out and put a horn switch in there.

See if you see anything burnt on the outside, maybe it got hot and shut off.

Do you mean check the compressor? If so, it works dandy. The wires themselves, in the car, appear to be undamaged. I traced them to a root system of other wires that are wrapped in tape and coduit from the factory. I don't know how much exploritory surgey this job will require.
But I suppose I should really hook up the wires to my volt meter for a better test than "well it don't turn the amp on!" test.
Thanks for the reply.