Fuse issue

[golffan7]

My power outlets keep blowing fuses. Actually they will work untill I fire up the engine then the fuse automatically trips. What causes this and how do I fix the issue?

[bobs turbo pt]

wow that doesnt make sense , is what your are powering up still plugged in when you start up the car ??

[CREWZIN]

Good question Bob. I had a radar detector that had a long cord so I cut it, spliced the wires and missed one small single thread. When I put the wires together to make them neat, the one small thread poked into the other wire and caused a short every time i moved that part of the wire just a little bit. It blew the fuse when the two wires connected.

[golffan7]

actually the first time it happened yesterday I unplugged all that was plugged in. After starting the car nothing worked. This afternoon I replaced the fuse again and left my phone charger plugged into the live outlet. As soon as the engine engaged the fuse blew.

[CREWZIN]

Sure sounds like your phone charger has some sort of short in it. Don't think it could be draining too much current as it's minimal what they actually draw.

Get a hand full of fuses. Put a new one in without the charger and see if it holds. Then put the charger in and move the wire around to see if it blows.

[golffan7]

Tried that last night. The fuse blows no matter what, if I have nothing in the outlets or I do. With the car off the fuses are fine, as soon as I turn the car on the fuse pops.

[E30Memorial]

The "cigarette lighter" is only powered with the key on. The other outlets are powered at all times. If the cigarette lighter outlet was grounded out inside somehow then it would only blow a fuse when you turn the key on. Try unplugging the wire from the back of the cigarette lighter and see if it still blows the fuse. Good luck.

Steve

[golffan7]

Thanks steve. I will try that and let you know.

[bobs turbo pt]

good idea steve !!