About 6 to 8 months ago my #17 fuse blew. I replaced it to have it blow 4 months ago. Then 2 months ago I had it blow again. This 20 amp fuse controls the cigarette lighter on the left hand side of the dash along with the obd2 scanner plug, as the owners manual states. When it blew 2 months ago I had my cell phone charger in that cig lighter and it BLEW it out and landed on my hand and there was a huge white flash. Once that happened I tried to replace the fuse and it would blow every time even before I could get it inserted into the slot.

I tore most of the dash out and found no crimped stripped or frayed exposed wires. I then bought a new cigarette lighter and replaced it and that fixed the problem, or so I thought. I did not use it until last Saturday night when I bought a new phone and needed to charge it. I removed the charger once I got home and turned the truck off. The next day I plugged the same charger in and once again before o could get the charger plugged in it blew.
I must have my obd2 scanner plug working so I can go through emmisions and I am at a loss of what to do. I cannot afford to take it to a shop. if anyone has had this problem can I please get some advise? Thanks very much!shop.

 

The lighter sockets are known for shorting out internally. That may be your problem.

Also, the power point and the lighter socket are physically different inside and the owner's manual says this:

 

I guess that is true. Maybe I can install a power point instead of a cigarette lighter. Any opinions on that?

 

I think it can be done but I don't know it the bezel would need to be modded or not to make it fit. I don't see how it would be a problem from an electricity point of view.

 

How does one go about replacing that? Actually I guess its the power port.