My cig lighter doesnt work and I need it for my phone and gps, whats the best way to fix this? god im such a newb

 

Check out your fuse block down by your feet. There is a cig fuse if I remember correctly.

Rob

 

so all it could be is a blown fuse? Man I have a hard time with the electronic stuff

 

they also come unplugged really easy from the back. check that if the fuse is blown...

 

if the fuse ISN'T blown, as it were...

 

could someone walk me through the basics of getting my cig lighter to work?

 

i got an 88 pickup, theres no fuse panel to the left of my feet

 

If the fuse is not blown, then your fusible link is.
That is a fuse that is built into the wiring a few inches away from the cig lighter plug.

It often will melt if to high of an appliance was plugged into the socket.
Best way to fix that is to over ride it and put in a straight wire of the same diameter.

If you do not have a fuse though for yours though, I would install one along with the new wire.

Mine blew out on my '90 Extracab I had, and I just replaced it with a wire.
But it was fused too though from the fusebox.

You can see a fusible link here.
http://www.wefixittogether.com/?p=25

 

if all that doesnt work check your ground. they can get corroded and short out

 

mine didnt work, it was rusted and the posts that are inside needed to be pulled out a little, sitck a flat head in there and bend them outward a little...

 

dont ya hate when that happens?

 

Here is a writeup on replacing the fusible link:
http://atv.off-road.com/atv/article/....jsp?id=186346

Mine blew out about 10 years ago and I just soldered the two ends of the link wires back together where the link metal had melted away. Also a good time to repower that item froma constant 12 volt source so you have power all the time.

 

I second whole fuse then connection thing. Mine came unplugged just from driving on rough roads I guess. It is super easy to plug back in. It is a male and female post type connection that goes right into the back of the cig lighter. Good Luck

 

Yeah, sorta like when my carb doesnt run right