Cigarette Lighter blowing fuses

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 :2cents:

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.

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!