Pontiac Repair: 2004 Pontiac Sunfire Cigarette Plug, pontiac sunfire, cigarette plug

Question
My girlfriend has a busted cigarette plug and I'd like to fix it for her.  I used to work for PartsPlus in Rochester, NY and I remember filling orders for cigarette plugs all the time...so, I figure I might be able to fix this without too much hassle.  Am I wrong?  (BTW...I'm about 95% sure it's not a fuse-related problem.)  If I'm not wrong, how would I go about fixing this on my own?  (I want it to be a surprise, so I don't want to have to take it to a dealer or mechanic.  The surprise is a hook-up charger for her iPod...but, I gotta fix this thing first.)

Answer
Hi David:

well first oof check the fuse it's more than likely blown it's labeled "cigar" I belive in the fuse box on the left side of the dash. next take a look at the lighter element if she's a smoker the element shorted out from the cigarette remnants and the coil goes bad and snaps the fuse. You can get aftermarket elements that work but you have to match the original equipment one to the aftermarket one. for the most part there are 2 styles and the ends are different where it make conatct in the lighter case and if you get the wrong one it will either blow the fuse right away or it wil not stay in. It' not all the common that the case "part in the dash" or the plug goes bad. But if you need either one it's a dealer only part or get one out of a junk yard car. Good luck :)