Power outlet requiring key to be in "accessory" position

[BehindBlueI's]

For several years I have used a battery tender that plugs into the power outlet (aka cigarette lighter plug for Gen X and older) inside the arm rest and it's worked fine. I went out to my car today and it the light wasn't on. I did a bit of troubleshooting and finally figured out that it now only charges though the power outlets if the key is in "accessory" or "run". I can't figure out what's changed. Any ideas?

2011 Camaro SS.

Trouble shooting included:

1) verifying battery tender worked on another vehicle via the power outlet
2) verifying battery tender worked at the "jump start junction" under the hood.
3) verifying fuses were good
4) verifying that power outlet did not have power in "off" position by using a phone charger.
5) verifying that power outlet did have power in "accessory" position by using a phone charger.
6) verifying that battery tender would light up and charge the car though the power outlet when in "accessory" position.
7) Scratching head and wondering WTF repeatedly.
8) Googling without success

[Badbubba]

Not sure how it would have ever worked. The outlets are powered by the RAP relay. Retained accessory power. It stays energized for about 10 to 11 minutes. Opening the driver's door will drop the relay. Iirc, the BCM controls the RAP relay. Unless you maybe plugged in the battery tender while the accessory power was on and this somehow back fed circuit. But that would mean all the accessories would have power. Such as the radio and windows.

[sscamaro]

Originally Posted by BehindBlueI's

For several years I have used a battery tender that plugs into the power outlet (aka cigarette lighter plug for Gen X and older) inside the arm rest and it's worked fine. I went out to my car today and it the light wasn't on. I did a bit of troubleshooting and finally figured out that it now only charges though the power outlets if the key is in "accessory" or "run". I can't figure out what's changed. Any ideas?

2011 Camaro SS.

Trouble shooting included:

1) verifying battery tender worked on another vehicle via the power outlet
2) verifying battery tender worked at the "jump start junction" under the hood.
3) verifying fuses were good
4) verifying that power outlet did not have power in "off" position by using a phone charger.
5) verifying that power outlet did have power in "accessory" position by using a phone charger.
6) verifying that battery tender would light up and charge the car though the power outlet when in "accessory" position.
7) Scratching head and wondering WTF repeatedly.
8) Googling without success

Hock the battery tender to the battery posts under the hood.

[BehindBlueI's]

Originally Posted by sscamaro

Hock the battery tender to the battery posts under the hood.

That's what I did. (See step #2 in my list) but before I was able to charge through the cigarette plug, which I preferred as I could just unplug it and go without going under the hood.

I don't know what changed or why we don't have a constant on plug. Is it a GM thing to only have the plugs hot with the key? My other vehicles have at least one that's always hot.

[Batmanntexas]

Another option:

Buy the Battery Tender Ring Terminal Accessory Cable and hook it directly to the battery. Within the battery well/spare tire well, there are a couple of body plugs that can be modified to pass the cable through.

On my particular setup, my cable (when disconnected) sits on top of the rear diffuser, out of view. To use, I just reach under the rear diffuser, pull the cable down and plug in my tender. Takes about 20 seconds, if that long.

-Scott