12 volt outlet problem

[pighair47]

is any one else having any issues with the 12volt outlet in the center console ?

recently mine has stopped feeding power to any thing plugged in unless you push and twist the plug of the device you are trying to power towards the front of the car then it works intermittently. i have tried multiple plugs and they all act the same.

i would take it to the dealer but i am worried about them pulling apart the center and seeing the aftermarket shifter bushings and then voiding parts of my warranty, or worse see the bushings and look further into the car and find my tune and such.

i may pull apart the center console tonight and see if i can see anything wrong.

 

[sx sonic]

Hmmm strange, sounds like a loose connection. Since you eliminated it being the Plug-Ins I would suspect maybe the connector to the power outlet is barely making contact.

I just checked and you can almost get to the connector by removing only the shift boot. If you pull out the next piece of trim you should be able to easily check/feel/move the connector on the outlet.

Since you're hesitant on taking it to the dealer this is a rather easy check you could do on your own. Also if you have a multi-meter you could check for voltage as you wiggle the outlet and watch what happens, if power comes in goes the problem is very likely the connector, wires near it, or possibly the outlet itself.


As far as taking it in to the dealer I understand your paranoia, I get nervous sometimes and I used to be a tech at several dealers. But here's some things about it in a techs eye's

it is very improbable the tech will notice the shifter bushings, even if they've seen that area on several sonics already.

If he does it is very likely he won't care, as far as mods go it is a very non intrusive mod on any components (It really doesn't affect how anything in the car works, like say springs or a tune would).

It is then almost impossible that the tech would take time to search for a tune that would not be associated with the problem, would not void the warranty on the outlet, and would cost him/her time (Techs are typically flat rate, they only get paid for fixing the customers complaint and some diag. Any other time wasted essentially hurts their paycheck). If you don't have an intake or exhaust it is even less likely to be looked at.



TLDR: There's a 99.9% chance the tune will NOT be looked for/found and ~90% your shifter bushings will Not be noticed if you take it to the dealer.

Good luck

 

[pighair47]

i will probably check it out tonight, if the old socket is bad i may just replace it with the new outlet i had gotten to add a 12v outlet to the side pocket by the radio. assuming they are the same diameter mounting hole. since getting to the dealer would cost me more in gas and time then the outlet is worth.

 

[sonic007]

I had that issue with mine. The plug was just loose.

 

[pighair47]

well i investigated the plug while i was on lunch, found out there are little tab like pieces of metal in the plug if i bend them out some it works fine for a dozen or so insertions of the i am leaning towards just replacing it since the stock outlet wont work with the old school 12volt cigarette lighters.

 

[ChrisJ]

You're not using this with actual cigarette lighters are you?

Not sure if you meant the old type plugs, or actual lighters.

 

[pighair47]

i am referring to the lighter that pushes into the outlet and has wire coil that gets red hot and will light what ever you want to smoke.

the lighter was unrelated to the original issue, i just happened to find it today while looking for the replacement outlet. then realized it wont work with the stock outlet however it will work in my planed replacement outlet.

 

[pighair47]

Installed the new outlet and have had no issues since the change. new outlet feels much stronger then the old one. the old outlet is in my opinion poorly constructed adn not really designed to last. its constructed of very thin metal, that has multiple cutouts in it. it feels incredibly cheap, the new one feels much stronger and is made of a solid piece of metal without cutouts shrouded in a hard plastic shell, feels much more durable, as well as grabs the plug much better the old one had to much play for my liking and i fear it would have only gotten worse with age. .

the replacement plug was a perfect fit for the factory hole. however i had to cut the factory plug off and crimp on female connectors to interface with the new plug. the wire running to the 12 volt outlet is long enough that cutting it wasn't an issue.

 

[law242]

I have the same issue

 

[pighair47]

i foresee this being a recurring issue with these cars, the 12v ports are made very poor. seems like gm was saving a few bucks with these outlets, if any wants to see how the cheap stock port looks i can up load pictures.

the port i replaced it with is much more sturdy. and made of a solid piece of metal where the stock one is mostly plastic with a small amount of metal for the ground contact.