cigarette fuse

[whathehack]

Hello folks,

I have a 2000 malibu, and besides the coolant system sometimes for no reason seems to be leaking and I have no idea how, since I can't find the problem.

Now, I can add the cigarette lighter to the list. I have beenn driving this for a while, and since I don't smoke I don't use the lighter, but now I want to plug in my pc so this way I don't have to get a dvd play for the car.

But the cigarette lighter and the secondary one ( I have no idea what you call it) are not working, and I have no idea where the fuse it, so I was hoping that may be someone here can help me out.

Thanks

[e2helper]

Fuse is in an underhood electrical center on driver side.

Fuse #34 (20 Amp - Yellow). Label calls it AUX PWR/CIGAR. Uses what are called minifuses. I think it will be the only one of that size in underhood center.

There is supposed to be a fuse puller in that underhood center as well.

[Harryc8786]

I think he's right. I have to fill my coolant soon and talked to a different owner who does car installs. He said his leaks right where the one pipe touches down on I believe the radiator. Theres like 2 coolant lines and the one that goes to the middle of the hood area right where it joins to I think the radiaor is a common leak spot. Check it out see if theres any sorta leaking warning.

[whathehack]

Thanks for all the help

also I found out that I could get a manual from gm by going to their website

and as long as the coolant is a common problem I guess I don't too much to worry about

[LancerZero]

Oh hell yes you have something to worry about! If that leak is from the lower intake manifold (which is where it most often is on Chevy 3.1 liter V6s), you need to fix it. If you don't, or if you wait too long, you might end up with crapped-out head gaskets and screwed-up cylinder heads like my family's old 1996 Lumina ended up with at 106,000 miles, whcih cost well over $1,000 total to fix. Replacing my lower intake manifold cost me $550 for parts and labor at Firestone, and I had it done at the first sign of a leak there. I've heard other people say they spent more.

As for the fuses, Malibus seem to have weird electrical problem, a trait they share with the Lumina. Both seem to blow the accessory fuse pretty easily. I plugged a small sub into it on my 'Bu, and after a few days the fuse usually blows, just like in my Lumina. But then I plug the sub into a three-outlet splitter with only a 5-amp fuse, and there's no problem. I just keep a few extra fuses in my trunk.

[e2helper]

Hmm, possible that the plug on your sub doesn't fit receptacle in vehicle real well and shorts it out. I think there there is a second outlet on Malibu, I would try that one because I think it is a different style (not set up for cigar lighter) and so less likely to be shorted out.

[LancerZero]

Actually, that's the one I had it in. I've tried both, with the same result. Thanks for the suggestion, anyway, but it doesn't matter too much anymore since I'm selling my car and put the rear speakers back in and took the sub out.

[markag6]

I'm having the same problem with my accessory power outlet. I keep blowing fuses for what seems like no reason. Is there an inexpensive (possibly do it yourself) fix?

[tractorboy]

They are both the same, I use the accessories to plug in my GPS, works great.

[samturner]

Since your selling the car don't guess this matters much but I doubt either plug will run your PC. If it is a laptop your plugging in. You might be able to charge it from the lighter plug but to run it off of it might not be possible.

Might be a good idea to check laptop manual for current draw while on.

[whathehack]

I think you can run a PC off it, I have ran it, and its ok. Just don't plug in when start the car.