Cigarette lighter receptacle won't work

First step would be to use a bright flashlight and examine the socket (receptacle) closely for the cause of the short. You may be able to remove it. If the fuse blows when you try to use the cigarette lighter, the plug lighter element may be faulty and need to be replaced. These lighters are pretty standard and you could try one from another car that you know works properly to help diagnose.

some of them dont have lighters in them. you have to insert your own.

Go to your local auto parts store and get a copy of the Haynes car manual for your 2009 BMW 328xi.

Common problem. You most likely have a blown fuse on your cigarette lighter circuit. These get shorted out all the time due to faulty phone chargers, GPS units, coins in ash tray getting stuck in the socket, etc...

This same circuit is what powers pin 16 of your data link connector(an OBD scanner will not work without it).

The Fuse you need to check is the CIG/DLC fuse, which is Fuse #28 (20 Amp) in your instrument panel fuse block. The instrument panel fuse block is located on the driver's side of the instrument panel.

Be sure to check your cigarette lighter for some of the things mentioned above, and take corrective action, or you will only blow another fuse.

on 1987 all you mentioned are on same fuse #11 located in fuse box below steering wheel 3rd row 3rd fuse from left next to either a blank space if you do not have power windows,or next to silver circuit breaker if you do have power windows.

use your car manual and locate the fuse box then use the diagram on the fuse box to show you which fuse is for the lighter and remove it and fit a new one and you should be good to go

try a magnet to remove the penny?

sometimes they separate those because one is a higher amp circuit (power outlet) versus a cigarette lighter, so check your fuses

If all the fuses have been checked and are working as you say, try doing a voltage check on the cigarette lighter receptacle itself. If you set your DVOM (Digital Volt/Ohm) meter to DC volts, you should be able to measure 12 volts (+- 2) at the receptacle by placing the red lead to the positive end of the receptacle, which is the little button on the very back of the barrel, and the negative end, which is the outer chrome housing. (Of course, some vehicles require the ignition key to be placed to Acc or Run, but I'm sure you already know how your car is configured.)

If there is no voltage there, the fault may be in the wiring itself, behind the cigarette lighter. Get behind it to make sure that the positive lead hasn't been pulled out or is corroded for some reason.

If all is well with the receptacle and you want to be able to actually USE the cigarette lighter in it, you may want to consider purchasing a replacement lighter. You can find a lot of those in the "Help" line of parts at your local auto parts store.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions. :)

-Jason