OBD2 and the lighter fuse

[john112deere]

Blew two fuses for the lighter in the Escort the other day. Haven't gotten around to trying to fix it yet, since until yesterday I don't really need the thing.

However, I threw a CEL yesterday, and if I'm not mistaken I need power to that circuit for somebody to be able to pull codes, so I guess I know what my next project will be.

But...the question is- can that being fuse being blown cause the CEL, or is it just coincidence?

 

[Skandocious]

Did you check the manual to see if that fuse supplies power to any other components? I know for my truck, there are certain fuses that control things like the dome light and ALSO transmission... Ehh, dome light and transmission on the same fuse?!?!

As for pulling the codes-- unless the reader has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter, you should be able to pull the code no problem. After the CEL is thrown, the code gets stored in the computer's memory and it can be read back out even if the problem has already been fixed. It will stay there until the memory is cleared. That is called a continuous memory code.

 

[john112deere]

Most OBD2 cars, the reader port is powered by the same fuse as the lighter. Won't get power to the port with the fuse blow. I'm not actually positive that's the case on an Escort, but it's pretty typical.

*Reason the fuse blew would appear to be a short in the car charger for my #$@%ing cell phone. Yet another reason to hate the infernal device. Unfortunately, it was my last 20-amp fuse that proved that conclusively...

 

[Skandocious]

Most OBD2 cars, the reader port is powered by the same fuse as the lighter. Won't get power to the port with the fuse blow. I'm not actually positive that's the case on an Escort, but it's pretty typical.

*Reason the fuse blew would appear to be a short in the car charger for my #$@%ing cell phone. Yet another reason to hate the infernal device. Unfortunately, it was my last 20-amp fuse that proved that conclusively...

Oh crap well I figured you had already tested more than ONE type of charger You know what they say when you assume... A$$ outta u and me Yeah I had a similar problem with one of my chargers always blowing the fuse

 

[john112deere]

I was pretty sure that's what the problem with the fuse was...I just hadn't bothered to do anything beyond what I could while driving, 'cause it hadn't mattered.

Anyway, got the code pulled and it's an EVAP issue. It's too hot to screw with it for right now.