Cigarette Lighter Blows Fuses...

[Gh0zTeR]

I get my GPS back tomorrow after a lengthy repair. My Cigarette Lighter does not work and when I replace the fuse it is blown as soon as I try to use it. What should I check?
Thanks.

 

[Gh0zTeR]

Is there any sort of aftermarket power point that I could just wire from my battery and put wherever I would like?

 

[turbosax2]

Have you checked the wiring going to the cigarette lighter? I would pull the unit out and look for any exposed wires and fix them.

 

[Talesin]

Yes, there are a number of aftermarket power points out there... usually they're billed as cigarette lighter relocators, or duplicators. Just make sure you get one with a good length of wire (not a direct plug-in replicator) so you can cut off the end you're supposed to plug into your existing cig lighter, run long wires through the firewall (or to the trunk if you've relocated it) and to the battery. Make sure you get the polarity right, solder any connections and use heatshrink tubing, and I would recommend an in-line fuse on the battery end so if the wires ever short to ground, you won't end up with a car fire. You can ground the negative to the body, and only run the positive to the battery (and fuse) for convenience and fewer wires strung throughout the car.

 

[JungulSouljah]

I have found that 90% of the time a simple check under the console will normally be the place for a malfunctioning Cigarette Lighter to short.