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Cigarette lighter / 12V socket in console not working
Apologies if this has been addressed previously, but I didn't find anything specific in the R231 forum. I haven't used the 12 volt socket in the console much, because usually I don't drive the car far enough to need to recharge my phone. :-) But lately my Volvo has been in the shop and I've been driving the SL more less daily and using my 12V phone charger. (Yes I know I can charge from the USB socket in the console, but that is a lot slower than a dedicated charger.)
The first few days all was well, and then I started to notice that intermittently the charger wasn't making a good connection in the socket and I would have to twist it a bit in order for it to begin charging. Then a couple of days ago it simply would not connect at all.
Got the fuse diagram and it appears to be fuse number 9 inside the engine compartment on the passenger side. Checked that 15 amp fuse, and it was not blown. Tested with my multimeter to be sure.
Next I used the multimeter to check the 12 volt socket with the car on, and the socket is indeed dead. Interestingly the ring that illuminates it is working, but I assume that is on a different circuit.
I did see in one thread where someone was told by the dealer that the entire center console had to be replaced, which seems to be a little ridiculous. And in another thread on the R230 forum, someone determined that a connector had simply come loose from the socket inside the console.
So my question is, does anybody know how to access the underside of the socket? Does the whole console have to be removed? Or can it be accessed merely by removing the trim panel on one side of the console or the other? Thanks!
Since it previously worked, Could definitely be the the lighter socket. (reading your post, that could be possible.)
Other possibilities, previous work history in console area maybe? Stereo install? I would check the connectors first. (sometimes they can get hot and melt) I would try to reseat them if you can. I think there's also a connector further up in the console harness too.
Sometimes it helps to look at the part for removal. Looks like it is held in with two fasteners in the back, and clips in the bottom. (bottom pics)
The 12V socket is part number. A 000-820-48-05 (see pic)
Good Luck!
Last edited by crconsulting; Jun 20, 2022 at 03:44 PM.
Hmmm, is it possible those parts are R230, or perhaps on the SL63 since I know the console is different? Definitely neither of those parts is on my 2018 SL450. :-(
Good questions about any work or installs in the vicinity of the console — but nope, none. It worked for years, then suddenly got intermittent, and then just quit — so it does sound like a connector working itself loose. If only I knew how to get to it!
Last edited by John Dietrich; Jun 20, 2022 at 10:44 PM.
Hmmm, is it possible those parts are R230, or perhaps on the SL63 since I know the console is different? Definitely neither of those parts is on my 2018 SL450 (
That’s definitely R231 INSIDE the console.
We must be talking about the one in the armrest? ( I initially didn’t catch the part in your first post where you mentioned the light.)
Originally Posted by John Dietrich
Good questions about any work or installs in the vicinity of the console — but nope, none. It worked for years, then suddenly got intermittent, and then just quit — so it does sound like a connector working itself loose. If only I knew how to get to it!
You have to take off the armrest assembly to get to it.
Last edited by crconsulting; Jun 20, 2022 at 11:25 PM.
Yes, sorry for the confusion — I am indeed talking about the one on the top of the armrest, under the left armrest when the console is opened.
That said, those other parts really are not inside my console. Perhaps it's a Facelift model difference? The front panel inside my console has two USB ports on the right side (one is for Car Play / Android Auto), and on the left is the world's most comically small mobile phone holder positioned where I *wish* there was a 12V socket as in your photos.
In any case, at least now I know I have to remove the armrest assembly to get inside there. Hoping there is a YouTube video somewhere but so far have not found one.
Last edited by John Dietrich; Jun 21, 2022 at 12:24 AM.
Yes, sorry for the confusion — I am indeed talking about the one on the top of the armrest, under the left armrest when the console is opened.
That said, those other parts really are not inside my console. Perhaps it's a Facelift model difference? The front panel inside my console has two USB ports on the right side (one is for Air Play / Android Auto), and on the left is the world's most comically small mobile phone holder positioned where I *wish* there was a 12V socket as in your photos.
Yeah, looks like it’s a different part number, so they probably changed the part to accommodate CarPlay (facelift cars)
😕
The armrest isn’t too bad to remove, if that’s any consolation.
Why don’t you just use the cigarette lighter in the passenger footwell?
This way you know if the charger isn’t the culprit.
Measuring the voltage is sometimes tricky as one needs to touch the contact inside correctly for a good reading.
Okay, I will sheepishly admit that I completely forgot that there was a second 12V outlet in the footwell. Checked it out just now and it works fine. Does anyone know if that one is on the same circuit? I suppose I could pull the fuse again to verify.
Either way, being able to use that one somewhat lessens my urgency to fix the one in the armrest. :-) Thanks!
Why don’t you just use the cigarette lighter in the passenger footwell?
That's my go-to for charging. I have a rapid charger plugged into it with a 10' USB to USB-C cord that sneaks under the floor mat, around the back of the console to a Qi-charging mount snugged between driver's seat and console. Leaves the more easily accessible options available if my wife wants to plug her phone in.
@John Dietrich how long has your 4 year old car been out of warranty?
That's my go-to for charging. I have a rapid charger plugged into it with a 10' USB to USB-C cord that sneaks under the floor mat, around the back of the console to a Qi-charging mount snugged between driver's seat and console. Leaves the more easily accessible options available if my wife wants to plug her phone in.
That's genius! Do you have a pic of which Qi charger you are using and how you have it "snugged" in between the seat and console? Does that stop you from moving the driver's seat? (I use the 3rd memory position to move the seat back for easier exit.)
Originally Posted by eddieo45
@John Dietrich how long has your 4 year old car been out of warranty?
Since the end of March this year. Naturally there is a tiny real-time clock/calendar circuit built into all components so that they know when to begin failing. :-)
That's genius! Do you have a pic of which Qi charger you are using and how you have it "snugged" in between the seat and console? Does that stop you from moving the driver's seat?
Well, it's far from genius, as I've been tweaking the setup since October 2019. This is the charger from Amazon, and at first I used the sticky suction cup to attach it to the passenger side of the console, but it kept falling off. Then I crammed it between the driver's seat and console, but the suction cup part made it too big and it definitely interfered with the seat movement. I've since sawed the suction cup part off but I'm looking for a long arm with a standard ball mount to replace the arm part.
(I use the 3rd memory position to move the seat back for easier exit.)
Now THAT is genius!
Originally Posted by John Dietrich
Since the end of March this year. Naturally there is a tiny real-time clock/calendar circuit built into all components so that they know when to begin failing. :-)
That stinks. My console doors and one of the flaps on the roof mechanism went just before the warranty ended, so that was lucky, but it motivated me to buy the 7 year/75,000 mile Extended Warranty for $3500 which makes it a wash since it really didn't get used.
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