2000 Ranger 2.5L 2WD

[Vigilante]

Hello,

I have a 2000 Ranger, 2.5L, 2WD.
It’s the first time I’ve had to smoke this thing in a decade and I get to the station and they say they can’t complete the test because their system is showing no power at the data link connector. I pulled out the manual to find out which fuse I would need to check, and according to my manual it’s interior fuse 5 but my research on this forum has also come to indicate fuse #17 as well. I inspected fuse #5 and tested fine but I replaced it to be sure. When I went to inspect 17 I found it had popped, went to replace it and as soon as the blades contacted the metal the new fuse popped. Happened three times.
Anybody know what other systems tie in to fuse #17 or have any idea what the problem may be? All my systems seem to work fine including the check engine light (not on when running).
I appreciate the help

 

[4x4junkie]

I unfortunately don't have an answer for your truck model, but hopefully someone else might. I'll move this to Misc Electrical & gauges since it seems to fit better there.

 

[Vigilante]

I figured it out. Fuse #17 is the cigar lighter for 2WD models, the lighter closest to the steering wheel.
Fuse #17 also supplies power to the DLC in conjunction with fuse #5. Both fuses need to be working for the DLC to function.
In this case, a bad cigarette lighter kept blowing fuse #17 and my car FAILED SMOG because of a bad cigar lighter.

 

[4x4junkie]

Glad you got it figured out.

Thanks for coming back and posting.