[ZED SLED]

Have you had to replace the alternator or had any issues with the charging system lately? With the engine running, the 12V has voltage spikes at the alternator frequency. When I was doing vehicle navigation at Magellan we used a cig lighter adapter assembly that used these spikes to separate out an IGN from the BAT because our system needed both. The USB adapter uses a DC-DC converter to step the 12V down to 5V, but I would imagine the spikes are still there. If something has changed in your charging system where maybe the spikes are higher, it could be possible the iPhone detects this and sees it as an issue. If you haven't already, you might try charging her phone just sitting in the driveway with the engine off. If you turn on your key via the pass side door the adapter should stay powered until you either open the driver or turn the key off.
If it still doesn't work, then it is most likely the issue the poster about the lower current provided talked about. Usually, that would still work, just take longer, but then again, this is Apple we're talking about.

[acammer]

Originally Posted by ZED SLED

Have you had to replace the alternator or had any issues with the charging system lately? With the engine running, the 12V has voltage spikes at the alternator frequency. When I was doing vehicle navigation at Magellan we used a cig lighter adapter assembly that used these spikes to separate out an IGN from the BAT because our system needed both. The USB adapter uses a DC-DC converter to step the 12V down to 5V, but I would imagine the spikes are still there. If something has changed in your charging system where maybe the spikes are higher, it could be possible the iPhone detects this and sees it as an issue. If you haven't already, you might try charging her phone just sitting in the driveway with the engine off. If you turn on your key via the pass side door the adapter should stay powered until you either open the driver or turn the key off.
If it still doesn't work, then it is most likely the issue the poster about the lower current provided talked about. Usually, that would still work, just take longer, but then again, this is Apple we're talking about.

^^^ There is the test, engine off ignition on. If it charges, start the car and see if you still get a charge. If the other devices all work, it's something in the Apple's calibration that doesn't like something about the cars output. Definitely weird - let us know what you find out!

[Junior]

You can also try an Inverter with a wall adapter.

[Sir Nuke]

Scalded Dog......the absolute best solution to your problem is to junk your iPhone and get an Android. lol

[motorhead]

The Iphone is designed to work between 500ma and 2.1a @5vdc. There is a regulator of sorts built into the Iphone to handle variations in voltage and output to keep the charging within those specifications. It's possible that the car is having an issue starting that the iphone is picking up or the phone itself is having an internal issue. You said no other Iphone works either that you tried so I would lean more to the car itself. Does the car have the OEM battery in it? It may be time to change it. Batteries over 5 years old are on borrowed time these days.

[Scalded Dog]

Thanks for the comments, help, and suggestions all!

Nuke, I'm all Android... but my wife has assured me that she will kill, in a slow and painful way, anybody who suggests that her Apple device be pried from her hands.

Okay, brass tacks: It appears that h422694's suggestion that the 500mA vs. 1000mA adapters might be a factor is at least a major piece of this puzzle. As mentioned before, I have about a dozen of the adapters around, and I had tried MANY of them (taking some directly from a successful charge in another vehicle to unsuccessful in the Camaro)... but not ALL of them.

So, I tried all of them. Turns out that SOME of the 500mA adapters will work in the Suburban... but never in the Camaro. All of the 1000mA adapters will ALWAYS work in the Suburban... and SOME of them work in the Camaro. So, at least now we can charge her phone in the Camaro, using one of the 1000mA adapters.

I have not yet tried the test for spikes (by trying it with the Camaro not running). I'll try it, and let y'all know if this offers any further clues. However, for now, it appears that the 500mA vs. 1000mA adapter difference is the main factor.

[motorhead]

Originally Posted by Scalded Dog

Thanks for the comments, help, and suggestions all!

Nuke, I'm all Android... but my wife has assured me that she will kill, in a slow and painful way, anybody who suggests that her Apple device be pried from her hands.

Okay, brass tacks: It appears that h422694's suggestion that the 500mA vs. 1000mA adapters might be a factor is at least a major piece of this puzzle. As mentioned before, I have about a dozen of the adapters around, and I had tried MANY of them (taking some directly from a successful charge in another vehicle to unsuccessful in the Camaro)... but not ALL of them.

So, I tried all of them. Turns out that SOME of the 500mA adapters will work in the Suburban... but never in the Camaro. All of the 1000mA adapters will ALWAYS work in the Suburban... and SOME of them work in the Camaro. So, at least now we can charge her phone in the Camaro, using one of the 1000mA adapters.

I have not yet tried the test for spikes (by trying it with the Camaro not running). I'll try it, and let y'all know if this offers any further clues. However, for now, it appears that the 500mA vs. 1000mA adapter difference is the main factor.

That tells me that your car isn't putting out good voltage. The Iphone while designed to work up to 2.1a comes with a 500ma charger. The Ipads use 1000ma. They design the Iphone and Ipad to work with either because they know people will interchange them. If her phone requires the larger one to work in your Camaro. That tells me that something is going on with the car itself.

[Scalded Dog]

Originally Posted by motorhead

That tells me that your car isn't putting out good voltage. The Iphone while designed to work up to 2.1a comes with a 500ma charger. The Ipads use 1000ma. They design the Iphone and Ipad to work with either because they know people will interchange them. If her phone requires the larger one to work in your Camaro. That tells me that something is going on with the car itself.

Hmmm... very weird. I was not aware that it originally came with a 500mA charger.

Incidentally, the battery and alternator were replaced about a year ago... neither is OEM, but I went with some high- quality replacements (I don't recall brands at the moment). However, the suggestion that these replacements are creating spikes/ ebbs--- or at least not performing the way that OEM does--- seems to be likely.

[motorhead]

I reread your post. You said that measured 12vdc. Was that with the car running? It should be closer to 14 with the car running.