2000 Town & Country - replace fuse

We were traveling, using a 1-to-3 lighter adaptor to power 2 cell
phones and a laptop. I don't know what caused what, but the whole
thing got hot and the adaptor melted enough to come apart, but not so
that the plastic melted -to- anything. Now the lighter/power outlet
does not work. I assume that it is a fuse.

I tried to replace the fuse but there is a clear plastic cover over the
fuses with several black plug things on top of it. Is there any reason
not to just cut that cover off? Is that where the fuse would be, or is
there another one somewhere?

Thank you for any help!

 

I'm hoping this is a troll. But in case it's not.
The reason it got hot and melted is becuse your three devices were drawing
more electricity than you 3 way adapter is capable of handling. It's no
different than plugging a hair dryer, toaster, coffee pot and electric
frying pan all into the same plugstip in your kitchen. Just because you have
enough outlets, doesn't maen you can lug just any old thing into them.

When it melted, it probably shorted out and blew the fuse. this is what it's
designed to do so your overheated adapter doesnt set fire to your carpet or
seats while you drive down the road.

as for changing the fuse, can't help you there except to sy that I HIGHLY
doubt that you have to CUT anything to get to the fuses, usually the fuse
panel cover will just snap on and off. If you have to cut it you're almost
certainly going at it wrong.

Look a little deeper or buy a manual. there is a way to get that cover off
without cutting anything.

 

You are referring to the IOD fuse with the cover on it, If your dome lite
works then that fuse is good. Read your owners manual to determine what fuse
is blown. I believe it is going to be the one that has the words ign/batt
next to it.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

You are referring to the IOD fuse with the cover on it, If your dome lite
works then that fuse is good. Read your owners manual to determine what fuse
is blown. I believe it is going to be the one that has the words ign/batt
next to it.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

The 3 way adapter should have been fused. It should not have been designed
to allow enough current to go through it to melt it. The usual procedure
these
days is to conceal a glass fuse in the cigarette lighter plug that you use
to plug
into the lighter socket. You unscrew the plug to get at the fuse.

Ted

 

The 3 way adapter should have been fused. It should not have been designed
to allow enough current to go through it to melt it. The usual procedure
these
days is to conceal a glass fuse in the cigarette lighter plug that you use
to plug
into the lighter socket. You unscrew the plug to get at the fuse.

Ted

 

A poor quality adapter is probably what caused your problem. You may want
to add an extra plug & Fused circuit for the laptop - direct to the
battery with a heaver gauge wire