00' Boxster Electrical Help re: power seat, lighter, & radio

[missmonypeny]

Hello,

I have 2000 Boxster and love it but there are some electrtical issues I really need some advice on to solve...

1) Since I've had it (about 3 years) the cigarette lighter hasn't worked. Not a big deal but it would be nice to use the phone charger. I pulled the fuse panel cover and found that the fuse was indeed blown. I went to replace the fuse and once contact was made the fuse was literally blown back out with one connector partially melted...ok, probably grounded? any recommendations?

2) The driver's side power seat blows the fuse practically every time the adjustment switch is touched either backward or forward. I can pop a new fuse in but once the adjustment switch is hit...the fuse blows. Are there any connections I should clean/check that may be causing this issue? The motor in the seat seems to be functioning fine.

3) After the battery died a few months ago the radio has never powered back on...I checked the fuse on the panel and replaced it but still nadda. I plan on taking the radio out and checking the fuse on the back of the radio as the next step. Any tips on removing the covering frame without damage would be greatly appreciated.

Since I'm going to be cleaning and checking everything, does anyone have any advice as to what to clean the connections with and or tips they can offer? I really appreciate any and all help. If finally have some free time in the evenings and I would like to take a crack at addressing some of these issues.

Thank you,

Lora

[RFM]

1/ disconnect the wiring on the back of the lighter - push a new fuse in/if the fuse blows, check the wiring - if the fuse remains intact, replace the lighter unit.

2/ check the adjustment relevant switch, motor, connectors and the wiring for short to + or - (ground) - check for mechanical damage or blocked parts on the seat frame.

3/ depending type of radio, standard CDR needs the supplied special tool.

[JeTexas]

I had a similar situation on a car I was restoring. When I took the interior apart, I find that somebody had previously replaced some trim they inadvertently ran a screw up against a power cable, which caused it to ground out to the body and blow the fuse. As RTF said, try replacing the fuses with the cigarette lighter and seat disconnected. If the fuses still blow, you've got a mystery ground to hunt down.

[wvicary]

The power cables for the seat have been known to cause a problem getting caught in the seat frame or drive assembly. Follow RFMs advice and you shuold be able to sort it in no time.