Cigarette Lighter Fuse Issues

[PAINE]

2005 Magnum SXT

When I plug my aftermarket GPS into the cigarette lighter power outlet the fuse blows. It doesn't blow when I plug in my Radar detector in the same outlet.

The strange thing about this is that the GPS didn't blow the fuse until I ahd a fuse blow recently when I turned the plug in the socket.

Furthermore the GPS does not blow the fuse in the center armrest console power outlet.

Any advice??

[His 'n' Hearse]

2005 Magnum SXT

When I plug my aftermarket GPS into the cigarette lighter power outlet the fuse blows. It doesn't blow when I plug in my Radar detector in the same outlet. Short in the radar detector plug?

The strange thing about this is that the GPS didn't blow the fuse until I ahd a fuse blow recently when I turned the plug in the socket. Caused the short in the in the plug?

Furthermore the GPS does not blow the fuse in the center armrest console power outlet. Different circuit with higher amperage fuse?

Any advice??

Not really advice, but a possibility

[BaconFlavoredChunkies]

Does the circuit blow when nothing is plugged in? If not, the wiring past the outlet should be good.

Next see if it blows when the GPS power supply is plugged in, but NOT connected to the GPS? If so, definately a short when the sockets mate. (assuming the power cable itself isn't shorted, which can't be the case if it works in the other outlet.) Maybe a little piece of metal or wire got trapped in the outlet? Something that could cause a short between the leads?

If still no short, it seems the GPS is simply drawing too much current through the fuse your using. Pretty sure the two outlets are on different fuse/circuits... Try a higher amperage fuse and ya should be good to go.

[JCat]

Try plugging it in before you put the key in the ignition.

I don't know why, but this works sometimes.

[SanDiegoChargerRT]

Along the same topic, the cigaretter lighter fuse can be installed in one of two positions. In the first position, the fuse does not have power when the car is off. In the 2nd postion, the fuse is always hot.

Just FYI.

[boggart]

Try a higher amperage fuse and ya should be good to go.

Don't do that!! You could burn your car down.

[TWIST3D BLACK MAG]

Try a higher amperage fuse and ya should be good to go.

NEVER DO THAT !!!! the results could be Catastrophic !!!!

Can you say CAR-B-QUE ?

[BaconFlavoredChunkies]

Right, right... Good call guys. I'm just wondering if a lower rated fuse has been inadvertantly put in... Anything 20amps or below should be fine in the accessory circuit.

[JCat]

Once (when I was about 18 years old) I visited a hardware store to purchase a fuse for my home.

A very cute girl/clerk approached me and asked if she could help.

I told her I needed a fuse . . . . and she responded with, "Would you like a SLOW-BLOW?"

Well, lets just say that what I immediately thought of was NOT what she meant. I gave her this big grin and she turned a very bright shade of red. LOL.

[TWIST3D BLACK MAG]

Once (when I was about 18 years old) I visited a hardware store to purchase a fuse for my home.

A very cute girl/clerk approached me and asked if she could help.

I told her I needed a fuse . . . . and she responded with, "Would you like a SLOW-BLOW?"

Well, lets just say that what I immediately thought of was NOT what she meant. I gave her this big grin and she turned a very bright shade of red. LOL.

Ha Ha Funny !!

[cadzilla74]

OK...silly as it sounds...the cigarette lighter fuse is in the rear fuse block and is a mini-fuse....I have blown that fuse using a portable air-compressor but when I use the 12 volt socket in the console or the one located to the right in the tailgate I have had no problem...both of those receptacles are on a different fuse. Don't use the cigarette lighter recepticle for anything but a lighter or a short-time charge. Even my radar detector does not like the cigarette socket...that's why there is a notch in the console cover to allow a wire to connect to the socket inside the console..the console/rear 12v connections go to a high amp fuse separate fom the mini-fuse that powers the cigarette lighter socket. Hope this helps.