I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

camshaftgsxr · 03-23-2011, 06:25 PM

i have a painless wiring harness first off, yes i wired it right

i am trying to plug in my radar detector and everytime i push it into the socket it pops the fuse, could the radar be too much draw on the system? its a 20 amp fuse and i dont even want to try putting a higher rated fuse in there for fear of burning another harness... any suggestions?

camshaftgsxr · 03-23-2011, 06:29 PM

quick update... its the radar... my other cobra model works fine... the one i want to hook up is a passport 3000... any suggestions? i might do another 5 amps and see what happens...

ont_guy_38 · 03-23-2011, 06:34 PM

IMO there is something wrong with the detector as it should not blow fuses . I would try it in another vehicle

camshaftgsxr · 03-23-2011, 06:38 PM

good idea, no dice though it works perfect in my 87 325 bmw...

im going to check the amp rating of the bmw's fuse and report back in

camshaftgsxr · 03-23-2011, 06:42 PM

the cigar lighter on the bmw is 30A... 10 amps makes a big difference huh...

ok what i think i need to do is up my current fuse to 30 amps, that being said the wire to the cigar lighter and the wire to the ignition are the exact same except color, however the ignition fuse is 35 amps, should i do it? or not?

BlackTopMotors · 03-23-2011, 06:46 PM

Check to see how the plug looks and is placed into your stock(?) cigarette lighter port...it may be that it is hitting in a spot which is causing the fuse to pop...I would get two jumpers one with a fuse in the line and connect them to your radar plug...see if the fuse of the same rating pops...if not it is in the lighter port...the way it connects...Just a possibility. Best of luck

ont_guy_38 · 03-23-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackTopMotors

Check to see how the plug looks and is placed into your stock(?) cigarette lighter port...it may be that it is hitting in a spot which is causing the fuse to pop...I would get two jumpers one with a fuse in the line and connect them to your radar plug...see if the fuse of the same rating pops...if not it is in the lighter port...the way it connects...Just a possibility. Best of luck

I agree

S10Fan · 03-23-2011, 06:55 PM

............................or just drive the speed limit................

camshaftgsxr · 03-23-2011, 06:55 PM

both of the radars have the exact same end on them except the cobra has larger side contacts, meaning if anything is touching something wrong it isnt the passport... heres a pic, left is the passport (pops fuses) right is the cobra (doesnt pop them)

camshaftgsxr · 03-23-2011, 06:57 PM

my bad its a passport 8500... my eyes are going bad lol

link to specs... https://www.escortradar.com/store/pa...-x50-blue.html look at the price!!!

he let me HAVE it for FREE

camshaftgsxr · 03-23-2011, 07:07 PM

ok it'll run it off of a 30A fuse, it still pops a 25A though, i dont know what the deal is but im going to buy a new cigar lighter any ways because even when it was working it was sparking out of the cigar lighter when i touched it and wouldnt hold a constant contact,

now where can i buy a quality lighter socket? autoparts store? generic? order one for MY truck specifically? what? somebody throw me an answer lol

ont_guy_38 · 03-23-2011, 07:08 PM

I just cannot see the detector drawing more then 20 amps , I doubt trying a 30 amp fuse would hurt anything as if it is a dead short it will blow before any damage is done

Lol ok you posted that while I was still typing...ya I would try a new socket

camshaftgsxr · 03-23-2011, 07:11 PM

when i say sparking, i mean it looked like a welder shooting off inside my truck when i twisted the plug, where might i buy a new socket?

BlackTopMotors · 03-23-2011, 07:13 PM

I know they look somewhat alike but small differences and how they interact with your cig lighter can still be the prob. It could be the way the spring loaded tip compresses or not driving the pin inward or sides down lower...??? Its worth testing. You can replace or rework it...you could even add ports

Anyway hope it works out

Big Port Jimmy 6 · 03-23-2011, 08:55 PM

Changed one in a chevelle for a customer, her gps would pop the fuse. I went from a "lighter" to a power outlet. The insides are different and the gps plug would short out the lighter style. Jay

83burban · 03-23-2011, 11:35 PM

They don't draw 20 amps - its in the connector or the plug - most likely an old connector. Replace with a power outlet as recommended - they are more reliable and can handle more power for longer periods.

Cigarette lighters are meant for quick power boosts - enough to make the filament glow red.

03-23-2011, 06:25 PM	#1
camshaftgsxr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Asheville, N.C. Posts: 785	I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse i have a painless wiring harness first off, yes i wired it right i am trying to plug in my radar detector and everytime i push it into the socket it pops the fuse, could the radar be too much draw on the system? its a 20 amp fuse and i dont even want to try putting a higher rated fuse in there for fear of burning another harness... any suggestions? __________________

03-23-2011, 06:29 PM	#2
camshaftgsxr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Asheville, N.C. Posts: 785	Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse quick update... its the radar... my other cobra model works fine... the one i want to hook up is a passport 3000... any suggestions? i might do another 5 amps and see what happens... __________________

03-23-2011, 06:34 PM	#3
ont_guy_38 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,006	Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse IMO there is something wrong with the detector as it should not blow fuses . I would try it in another vehicle

03-23-2011, 06:38 PM	#4
camshaftgsxr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Asheville, N.C. Posts: 785	Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse good idea, no dice though it works perfect in my 87 325 bmw... im going to check the amp rating of the bmw's fuse and report back in __________________

03-23-2011, 06:42 PM	#5
camshaftgsxr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Asheville, N.C. Posts: 785	Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse the cigar lighter on the bmw is 30A... 10 amps makes a big difference huh... ok what i think i need to do is up my current fuse to 30 amps, that being said the wire to the cigar lighter and the wire to the ignition are the exact same except color, however the ignition fuse is 35 amps, should i do it? or not? __________________

03-23-2011, 06:46 PM	#6
BlackTopMotors Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 364	Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse Check to see how the plug looks and is placed into your stock(?) cigarette lighter port...it may be that it is hitting in a spot which is causing the fuse to pop...I would get two jumpers one with a fuse in the line and connect them to your radar plug...see if the fuse of the same rating pops...if not it is in the lighter port...the way it connects...Just a possibility. Best of luck

03-23-2011, 06:55 PM	#8
S10Fan Old Heap Driver Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Newport News, Va Posts: 2,642	Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse ............................or just drive the speed limit................ __________________ _____________________________ Bryan '99 Silverado 1500, 4.3, 5-speed, reg cab, short bed '50 Chevy 2DR Hard Top, 350/350, M2 Front End, 3:08 gear, cruiser. '40 F**d Sedan, all Chevy power, Heidt's front end, TCI rear, nice driver.

03-23-2011, 06:57 PM	#10
camshaftgsxr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Asheville, N.C. Posts: 785	Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse my bad its a passport 8500... my eyes are going bad lol link to specs... https://www.escortradar.com/store/pa...-x50-blue.html look at the price!!! he let me HAVE it for FREE __________________ Last edited by camshaftgsxr; 03-23-2011 at 06:59 PM.

03-23-2011, 07:07 PM	#11
camshaftgsxr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Asheville, N.C. Posts: 785	Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse ok it'll run it off of a 30A fuse, it still pops a 25A though, i dont know what the deal is but im going to buy a new cigar lighter any ways because even when it was working it was sparking out of the cigar lighter when i touched it and wouldnt hold a constant contact, now where can i buy a quality lighter socket? autoparts store? generic? order one for MY truck specifically? what? somebody throw me an answer lol __________________

03-23-2011, 07:08 PM	#12
ont_guy_38 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,006	Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse I just cannot see the detector drawing more then 20 amps , I doubt trying a 30 amp fuse would hurt anything as if it is a dead short it will blow before any damage is done Lol ok you posted that while I was still typing...ya I would try a new socket Last edited by ont_guy_38; 03-23-2011 at 07:11 PM. Reason: addition

03-23-2011, 07:11 PM	#13
camshaftgsxr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Asheville, N.C. Posts: 785	Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse when i say sparking, i mean it looked like a welder shooting off inside my truck when i twisted the plug, where might i buy a new socket? __________________

03-23-2011, 07:13 PM	#14
BlackTopMotors Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 364	Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse I know they look somewhat alike but small differences and how they interact with your cig lighter can still be the prob. It could be the way the spring loaded tip compresses or not driving the pin inward or sides down lower...??? Its worth testing. You can replace or rework it...you could even add ports Anyway hope it works out

03-23-2011, 08:55 PM	#15
Big Port Jimmy 6 Addicted to Rust Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Abbeville SC Posts: 1,030	Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse Changed one in a chevelle for a customer, her gps would pop the fuse. I went from a "lighter" to a power outlet. The insides are different and the gps plug would short out the lighter style. Jay __________________ Current trucks: (48 GMC100 320 inliner) Gone (48 Suburban in pieces) Sold 87 GMC CCSB 5.3 4l60E Daily Driver ECTA National record holder XO/PP We never really grow up, we just learn how to act in public.

03-23-2011, 11:35 PM	#16
83burban Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: la Posts: 345	Re: I keep popping my cigarette lighter fuse They don't draw 20 amps - its in the connector or the plug - most likely an old connector. Replace with a power outlet as recommended - they are more reliable and can handle more power for longer periods. Cigarette lighters are meant for quick power boosts - enough to make the filament glow red.



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