My mate has a Fabia vRS which has a problem whereby the cigarette lighter fuse keeps blowing?

Put a new fuse in, and it is fine while stationary, while the car is started but pull away and the fuse blows.

Not seen this before?

Any ideas?

Alex

The wiring or socket must be shorting out due to the movement, are there any other circuits protected by this fuse?

I've just fixed the same problem on my Octavia Mk1. it was the wire for the lighter getting caught under the hand brake. when you release the handbrake it traps the wire and shorts it to ground so your fuse blows.

how to fix it (might be different on different models):

move both seats forwards as far as they can go, remove the sides from the centre armrest where it pivots (you may only have to remove the left one, wiggle and pull), undo the bolt holding the armrest on (12mm) and remove armrest, remove the rear ashtray and housing and remove two screws, remove the plastic centre section (the front bit under the handbrake pops up), disconnect cigarette lighter.

you should now be able to inspect the wire. I put loads of insulation tape around the damaged part and tried to route it and tape it so it was not near any moving parts.

Good luck.