12v outlets "work", but wont charge iphone 5

[teddy9]

I pulled apart the entire center console on my 2011 3.8sedan (tech pkg and premium pkg if it matters)

the voltage reads ~13v at each wire harness, up to both power outlets. One outlet is a cigarette lighter and the other is the 12v in the console next to the aux/usb.

Problem-
My iphone 5 no longer charges in either outlet while I drive 45 to and from work. The phone charges in my traverse using the same outlet plugin chargers and usb cords (I've tried two of each). The phone also charges fine in wall or in the ubs in my lap top.

the only thing I found odd after hours of testing and inspecting is, the car power outlets read 12-13v when I'm not attempting to charge while the car is running, but once I plug in the usb socket and usb cord into the power outlet and connect my phone the volts drop to 8-9v. The phone shows it is charging, but even if not being used and plugged in for several minutes (10-20min), the charged % remains the same or drops a % or 2.

I'm now thinking this may be an amp issue? I'm not very technical but willing to read anything provided.

 

[Fight4Hemp]

I pulled apart the entire center console on my 2011 3.8sedan (tech pkg and premium pkg if it matters)

the voltage reads ~13v at each wire harness, up to both power outlets. One outlet is a cigarette lighter and the other is the 12v in the console next to the aux/usb.

Problem-
My iphone 5 no longer charges in either outlet while I drive 45 to and from work. The phone charges in my traverse using the same outlet plugin chargers and usb cords (I've tried two of each). The phone also charges fine in wall or in the ubs in my lap top.

the only thing I found odd after hours of testing and inspecting is, the car power outlets read 12-13v when I'm not attempting to charge while the car is running, but once I plug in the usb socket and usb cord into the power outlet and connect my phone the volts drop to 8-9v. The phone shows it is charging, but even if not being used and plugged in for several minutes (10-20min), the charged % remains the same or drops a % or 2.

I'm now thinking this may be an amp issue? I'm not very technical but willing to read anything provided.

First get a new cord and usb cig plug. I had the same issues in my new semitruck and that helped alleviate the problem for me a litthe bit. Make sure your using 2.1 amps socket plug *which is apple plug amps I think. Alot of these new phones prefer 180watts I seem to have faster charge rate with that on my old truck and new genny. On a side note I'm just sharing what helped with my problem I don't know if you had an old phone and now it won't charge your new phone. If that is the case your phone isn't getting enough juice. A cheap solution is to get a portable phone charger, they are like 60 bucks and you can charge it before you head to work so that you can keep your phone charged while your driving. At least till you solve the problem.

 

[teddy9]

"First get a new cord and usb cig plug"

I did this, 2 cig plugs and 2 cords.

Same phone which has charged no problem for the last couple years.

 

[NateDogg7159]

I've tried the same thing on my 2012 Genny (tech and premium packages) and I can't get the 12v charger locations to work. Used different chargers and checked those chargers on other cars too. Is it a fuse issue or something?

 

[Fight4Hemp]

I've tried the same thing on my 2012 Genny (tech and premium packages) and I can't get the 12v charger locations to work. Used different chargers and checked those chargers on other cars too. Is it a fuse issue or something?

If you can't charge your phone get a rapid usb charger like tronsmart. The quick charge port puts out 7.2 amp so it charges my phone relatively quickly compared to what took a 1 amp all day, sometimes not at all.

 

[celltech]

Just take the console out and install a cig lighter based USB power plug...and while it's out put an extra lighter socket in the armrest...

 

[NateDogg7159]

Just take the console out and install a cig lighter based USB power plug...and while it's out put an extra lighter socket in the armrest...

You may have this on another thread... where do I get one of those and how do you do it? I am not very electrically inclined.

 

[Terry T]

I've tried the same thing on my 2012 Genny (tech and premium packages) and I can't get the 12v charger locations to work. Used different chargers and checked those chargers on other cars too. Is it a fuse issue or something?

My 2012 genesis w tech and premium package 12 v outlets just stopped getting power. Checked fuse (right side of dash) and it's fine. I used a voltmeter to check there is no voltage at all.
Not sure what's wrong, may have to see dealer!
Also, backup camera failed. Dealer wants $900 for new one (cdn) and 200 to install.

 

[celltech]

If you pull up the trim around the shifter you will find 2 connector plugs under the forward storage bin. One of them is for the USB connector and the other is power for the 2 cig lighter sockets. Maybe that power connector came loose....or I wonder if there is a relay that actually feeds the harness...

And I got both plugs from Amazon, that stuff is pretty cheap. Pulling the shifter trim is the hardest part. It will pull straight up if you are careful and use plastic lifting tools to get in the cracks. Then you remove the armrest bins by removing the 2 screws under the little panel at the bottom. Then you remove the screws behind the sail panels and the front of the console. There are several power/data cables that have to be removed and then the whole console comes out.

I had to use a dremel to make the bin hole bigger for the USB charger (after I tore out the existing plug) and I spliced into the existing cig lighter power wires. And the extra cig lighter socket was a simple hole drilling exercise. The hardest part (or perhaps scariest) is pulling the initial trim. Those clips hang on tight, but they will come up.

 

[NateDogg7159]

If you pull up the trim around the shifter you will find 2 connector plugs under the forward storage bin. One of them is for the USB connector and the other is power for the 2 cig lighter sockets. Maybe that power connector came loose....or I wonder if there is a relay that actually feeds the harness...

And I got both plugs from Amazon, that stuff is pretty cheap. Pulling the shifter trim is the hardest part. It will pull straight up if you are careful and use plastic lifting tools to get in the cracks. Then you remove the armrest bins by removing the 2 screws under the little panel at the bottom. Then you remove the screws behind the sail panels and the front of the console. There are several power/data cables that have to be removed and then the whole console comes out.

I had to use a dremel to make the bin hole bigger for the USB charger (after I tore out the existing plug) and I spliced into the existing cig lighter power wires. And the extra cig lighter socket was a simple hole drilling exercise. The hardest part (or perhaps scariest) is pulling the initial trim. Those clips hang on tight, but they will come up.

Thanks, I found and ordered the USB ports off Amazon and are arriving today. I'm scared of pulling the trim, I guess slow and steady is the way to go. Definitely need to be able to charge phones etc. Wife is taking the car on a 5 day trip next week with her mom and our daughter, the 2.5 year old must have a tab!!! LOL

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[celltech]

Here are some pics of the clips and screws, or at least some of them. The manual says to remove the shift knob and boot first, but those clips are a !@#$ to get loose. Just put it in "D" and carefully pull the knob straight up after getting the surrounding trim off.

The armrest bin will have 2 small screws in the front to remove, then the 2 bolts, then there are clips around the sides...but it's not hard to remove. And make sure to remove the interior light harness plug before you yank it too far out!

Once these parts are out there are a couple of screws holding the console to the shifter, but it's easy to see what to remove. And the small sail panels in the very front, under the dash, have 2 clips where it meets the console...just pull straight out to expose the last 2 bolts you need to remove.

 

[NateDogg7159]

Thanks man! I saw the other thread recently that showed how to fix the outlets via replacing fuses, and that did the trick. I'm still going to change the outlets for the USB chargers and I'll take pics/video to post when I do for those wanting to repeat it.