while running my Dell notebook comptuer on a power inverter in the 89 Accord LXi I seem to have damaged the cigarette lighter power outlet. first on that trip I blew the fuse, the one shared with the interior lights, I replaced that fuse. but then later the computer lost power again. the cingarette lighter is dead now, but the interior lights are on, and the fuse is good. is there any other secondary fuse that feeds the cigarette lighter? or does anyone have a clue how I could fix it? if I can't, I'll just add like an extra 3 outlet module to the car, in which case, what is the easiest way to get a power wire to it through the firewall? or where would you recommend getting a good source of power for extra power outlts, something that can handle a decent amount of current.
I know that's alot of questions, but I appreciate any help.

 

i did the same with my old '88. on mine, i traced the wires back from the cigarette lighter and eventually found that one of the wires burned and started to melt with the wire next to it.

for powering your laptop, i'd probably run a new plug directly to the battery. just make sure you use a fuse.

 

that's what I was afriad of. do you know about where those wires run? if at least I could find and repair the damage then it could be used as a cell phone charger, they don't draw nearly as much current. I still think I want to add another outlet anyway, run like 12 AWG wire and put a 15A fuse on it. that should be enough to power a computer. do you know where to get through the firewall?

 

it's been a while since i've had the '88... but i think about 6 inches back or so, they joined a whole bunch of others in a loom, then ran towards the fuse box underneath the left side of the dash. you'll have to cut the loom to trace it all the way back. (assuming i remembered correctly)

for the firewall, find one of the existing rubber grommets to run the wires through. you can just slice a small hole in the run the wires through. i believe the easiest grommet to access in on the drivers side.

 

thanks! next time I have a chnace to get under the hood I'll take a look for one of those gromets. you wouldn't happen to have a pic of it would you? I'll see if I can find it either way. I feel so bad about breaking that thing, now she can't charge her cell phone, so I want to get it fixed as soon as possible.