On my 2005 supercrew: The cigarette lighter power is messed up and is blowing the fuses of the devices I plug into it. The cig lighter fuse doesn't blow, but the fuse built into the portable dvd, or the phone charger, etc will blow. This is a major problem, because the cigarette lighter circuit also supplies power to the OBDII data port. I keep blowing out the fuses on the equipment used for my inspection. My inspection is now overdue and I can't get it inspected because of this power problem. Going to take a couple measurements with a meter as soon as my wife gets back with the truck ( !! ). Any ideas to start this troubleshooting process?

Thanks,
Dave

 

Sounds like you either have a short or the ground and the positve are reversed for some odd reason.

 

Bit confused here :

The cigar lighter fuse is not blown, but the fuse blows on the EPA test gear, as well as on the devices ?

If so, take a look in the cigar lighter, to make sure there is not any parts from a DC plug in there.

The simple solution to getting the EPA test is to pull the cigar lighter out, take it in for a test.

Open the ashtray, pull on each corner of the center trim panel. Once you egt the bottom 2 spring clips off, there are 3 more going up each side.

Once you have it free, there is a tabbed connector on the back of the cigar lighter. Press the tab, and pull the connector off.

This will isolate the cigar lighter from the fuse, and you should be able to get the EPA test done.

On a note about the problem with the devices blowing, have you done any modifications to the cigar lighter circuit ( added a radar detector or CB ) ?

When you replace the fuse in the portable DVD player, can you operate it in the power point on the dash ?

 

put a meter on there make sure you get 12V first. Doesn't seem like you have a short on the lighter outlet because then you'd blow the cigarette lighter fuse.

Then I'd check the polarity check, maybe the positive and negative got switched on the cigarette lighter?? (not sure how it did but if your blowing htings you plug into it and not the vehicle fuse, this would make sense)

 

look to see if you have any change or metal that is in the plug connection.

 

Just glancing in the cig socket wasn't good enough, but when I paid attention to stick my meter probes in there, I found an earring in the back of the socket. Also the cig lighter fuse was blown at that point. I'm not sure when that happened. I do have a phone charger and a dvd player with blown fuses in the plugs. Go figure. It all works great now.

Thanks

 

Really, an earring ?

Sure it was not a ring from a DC adapter ?

Better go ask the wife what happened