I just was given my father's 1993 Bonneville and it seems like a great car despite its blue book value. It has been maintained meticulously by my brother, who ran a garage after yrs of being a mechanic. However after a few trips, I went to use the GPS and the socket came out with the electrical cord. I googled it and the best "advice" was from an expert on the GM boatds who claimed there was a clip to keep the back part of the socket onto the console. If there was one on mine it is gone now but it did not stop me from fixing the problem.
After trying to get to it by removing the 3 screws holding on the front of the console over the speedometer the panel would not come out, it has a lip under the main cushioned console cover. I tried to get in from underneath by removng the bottom panel, no chance. I knew the glove box may have been possible, but with the air conditioner vents there, I made it the last choice.

THE WAY IN IS THE GLOVE BOX, but your arm can't be too fat. I had to squeeze my hand in to the windshield then turn back and grab the lighter socket. I am @6'2, so I could also reach the front and screw it in myself. It might normally take 2 people. I made sure to tighten it as tight as I could, so I don't have to do it again for at least a long while. I used a hex screwdriver but a small socket should also work. The glove box has a slat cut out that has to be bent up when removing the box from the console unless you want to take the door off too (not recommended). It does not hurt the glovebox to bend up the slat After I removed my hand, there was an indention across my wrist and a slight nick on my index finger, but it was well worth it since someome said their mother got a 300 quote to chage her lighter.

Thanks for the help! my cig lighter was loose also. All you have to do is have skinny hands and you are fine. I believe it felt like a wing nut of some sort behind the lighter to tighten..

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1994 Bonneville SE - Series one. L27
1998 Bonneville SE - Series Two. L36
2001 Bonneville SSEI - Series Two. L67

I had a similar problem in my '94. Had the iPhone plugged into the dash in a charger cradle, and the weight was too much, loosening the lighter socket. Cradle spun around freely, and lost electrical connection.

IN my case, I removed the dash panel and was able to work on tightening the nut/clip again on the workbench. I'm thinking that you missed a couple screws when you couldn't get that panel out of the dashboard. I'm thinking there's 5, going from memory. That panel does come off easily enough when screws are all out, and does not get stuck on the upper padded part of the dash. I'll bet that the clip/nut fell off and is in the dash somewhere. Either way, glad you could get it fixed, I don't know that I would have had the patience to get after it using the methiod you described.

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TomS.
1994 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi
sold Dec, 2014