Cigarette Lighter blowing fuses

[Alibi]

Hello. The cig lighter in my car was missing when I first bought it, but I eventually found the lighter mechanism under the passenger seat. I re-installed it (found the wires for it tucked behind the ashtray pullout), but as soon as i connected it to the wires, it blew the fuse for it (20amp). I tried it again and it blew yet another fuse.

Is there any way that my particular cig lighter unit is defective? Or is there a different way of repairing this? I really need it since I travel a lot and having a way to charge my cell phone in my car is very handy.

Thanks in advance
-Eric

what year is the car?My 97' PA has a place for cell phones on the drivers seat next to the floor about the middle of the seats, you'll see a black plastic cover.Pull it out and there ya go..Power for your cell.
P.S. Check the voltage before plugging n the lighter,then if it seems okay, change out the whole unit if it's blowing a fuse.Sometimes they short out.why,I don't know. GOODLUCK

[Loekee75]

My cigar lighter socket had a short in it, causing my interior lighting, a/c system and warning chime to go haywire before blowing the fuse! That was in my 92'...I replaced the whole socket and that fixed the problem.

[Alibi]

The car is an 89, year is in the sig but i do usually post it. My bad.

Anyway, I guess I will just replace the socket then if they have the possibility to short out. I've got a spare in my 90 olds 88 that i wrecked.

If that doesn't work then I suppose I can use the sockets in the back doors. I forgot about those being back there untill I cleaned out my car a couple days ago and found a bunch of ashes and butts that the previous owner must have left in there. Grr....

Thanks guys!