12v Outlets Blow (fuses)

[locknload1]

I've had this issue a while and couldn't find it listed here. About two years ago I plugged in my phone and found that my outlet was dead. I checked the outlet on the side of the console and that was dead too. I popped the fuse cover (interior) and replaced it only to have it blow, although not immediatly it was burning out fuses. Since then I've tried a few more times and it still blows pretty fast no matter what I plug into it. Driving (bumps) have no effect, it blows them even while sitting still and everything else electrical works fine. Any clue what may cause this? Could it be an issue in one of the plugs? Possibly an area prone to wire wear through or shorts?
Thanks!

 

[kert0307]

Look don into the outlet to make sure that the center part of the outlet didn't get bent into the outer part.

 

[SoNic67]

Look at the charger that you plug in. Some cheap chinese chargers have the ground straps too close to the tip. That is OK for cars without cigarette lighter socket, but our cars have that socket with an extra positive ring (to glow-heat the resisive spring and release at end).
The cheap chinese chargers will short the socket when installed in a certain position or when rotating in the socket while plugged in.
Compare it to a brand-name charger, like Garmin GPS for example: Distance from uncompressed tip to ground strap shold be 3/4"...

 

[indybyron]

I also had this issue and i fought with it for 3 years. I replaced the cig lighter plug for a whoppping $9 and it has not blown a fuse since.

 

[locknload1]

Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to get to it...

Thanks for the input, I didn't get a chance to re-inspect the issue again yet or even touch it as the rotors that were supposed to be "local" are actually coming from TN... So, I'll be looking at it again hopefully this coming weekend.

 

[locknload1]

Ashes!

Not sure of how conductive they are but when I removed the cigarette lighter it rained lots of ashes so after cleaning the 12v plug I re-connected it and it worked fine. Took a while to get to it because somebody backed up into the poor girl and I've had to replace the front end from the headlights to the header panel (including the tranny cooler) so now it looks almost new. I got so into it I replaced the driver side seat hinge, seat belt, door access pad and door lock (used to stick and not unlock).

Brakes they sent were wrong and the new slotted/cross drilled rotors and ceramic pads are being delivered by FedEx today.

I'll post photos of the body repairs I did.

 

[SoNic67]

The chinese power plugs are shorting the cigarette lighter plugs present in our Explorers.
Those power plugs work only in the new european/japanese cars that don't have the internal construction of the socket identical, because are just power plugs, don't have to "eject" the heated lighter.
The distance between tip and grounding straps needs to be bigger in our cars - look at any Garmin GPS plug for a good example.