My front lighter socket on my 2002 Monte Carlo quit recently quit working. I removed the socket from the center console and removed the wiring plug from the rear of the socket. I used a multimeter to check the voltage across the wires (orange and black) and am only getting .03V. My rear 12V socket is giving about 12.8V. I've already checked the fuse, it is fine. Does anyone have any other ideas?

Aside: I never used it before the front one broke, so this might be due to the same problem ,but it seems like the rear 12V accessory port has lower amperage than the front one [used to]. Has anyone else experienced that?

 

I've found two access ports in the center console that let me get a better look at the wiring, but unfortunately nothing that I can see without taking the thing apart looks awry.

I've also done some more testing on my rear outlet. While it appears to work fine with no load (show 12+V), it isn't giving out enough juice to even charge my phone (net, it loses battery while on the charger).

Has anyone dealt with anything similar or does anyone have advice for taking apart the center console (this is on an '02 LS).

 

It sounds like you've got a bad connection somewhere, which I'm sure you've already figured out. Have you reaplaced the fuse anyway? Sometimes they may look fine and you may read voltage but it's just ghost voltage it may light up an LED in a charger but not run the circuitry. Of course I'd could be wrong as a sheep in shoes but it's an idea.

 

I tested the fuse with a multimeter and I swapped it with a different one that I knew to work. No dice on the fuse.

 

Did you ever happen to find the problem? Mine is dead too and I cannot find the problem.

 

You might want to check all the grounds!

It doesnt take much rust weather etc...to kill a good ground..

Try attaching it (ground wire) to your battery ground and see if thats the problem?
Just a thought...