I'm new to the forum and thought I'd start simple. Okay let me start by saying I'm hands on when it comes to average wrenching. I just bought a 92 Trooper S with 210,000 miles that runs good, 4 hi and 4 low work good, and passed CA smog before I bought it. I plan on doing as much as I can when working on it as I become more familiar with it and I figured I'd start with something simple that I couldn't find an answer to in a search of the past posts and answers. The 12 volt accessory outlet is getting power (the OEM cigar lighter heats up and pops out when glowing, but when plugging in a number of chargers for cell phones and a Garmin GPS, there is no power. One charger even gave a puff of electrical smoke and made a pop. This led me to the fuse block under the drivers side dash, and the fuse is fine and the correct 20 amp part. Pulled the fuse and checked the outlet and it had no power (just to make sure the wiring hadn't been chopped and sliced in some way), fuse back in power. Auto parts store clerk had no answers as to whether newer cars have a different amperage or outlet depth, or where to start, other than Google it. I was going to buy a 1 into 2 outlet to plug in, as I need 2 outlets (one for phone, on for gps), but now I worry that won't work, or overload the system. Any ideas. I'm not opposed to replacing the outlet and adding a second outlet in an open spot near the steering wheel where it looks like one might have been an option. Thanks in advance.

First, welcome.

I have run into issues with different depth accessory outlets. I suspect, but don't have any specific knowledge, that the stock outlet is shallow. I would try comparing the length of the stock lighter with the plug end of your GPS or charger.

I added an additional outlet to my '91 Trooper without any issues.

Thanks, I think I'm just going to add an extra outlet in the space that seems like it's there for a second one as an option. I did notice that on the other 2 cars and my work truck the outlet seems deeper, didn't measure them though. Second one seems to be the easiest option. I still don't know about the "pop and smoke", didn't blow the fuses in the charger or the truck.

You might want to check the polarity of the socket with a multimeter. If someone managed to hook it up with the center negative and the outer shell positive it might work fine with the cigarette lighter but not with a charger or other device. The lighter is simple resistance coil, doesn't care about which way the power flows but most chargers definitely do care.

If it is wired backwards it would be a wiring short just waiting to happen as well. Usually the outer shell is grounded to some part of the dash just by touch, but it might just be hitting plastic and not shorting out, for now.

Thanks 800XL, I'll look at that also. A belt squeal lead me to a frayed alt belt, that led to a bad batt, that led to an alt that has a faulty regulator. When I get that fixed, then I'll go back to that. But I hadn't thought of that as I figured a fuse somewhere along the line would have blown. Neither in the fuse block nor the little fuse in the tip of the device plug blew. I want to upgrade the alt capacity and batt to be able to easily add accessories like a winch or extra lighting. So I'm looking for a good upgrade for those.