The power outlets have a block of insulation in the bottom with a hole in the center. The hole keeps a cigarette lighter from making contact so it can not get hot.

If you look in you can see the disk with a hole in the center of it at the bottom of the socket.

 

The retainer spring I referred to is the part that holds the element. Without it you would have to hold the lighter in. It also is the hot connection. And a bit of heat insulating.

 

My link is for the power socket, yours is for the cigarette lighter socket

 

Yep, finally found the correct drawing that shows both. 25774623 is for power only, and is for both locations, dash and floor console.

Chevrolet HHR Hatchback INSTRUMENT PANEL PART 3 ELECTRICAL

25776667 is indeed for the lighter socket. It could probably go in either location also, if someone wanted an actual lighter in the back. Although the drawing doesn't specifically say it will.

 

A little more digging, it's the same for the rear power socket(by the rear hatch).

TRIM/QUARTER-RH

 

I have an 08 HHR SS and installed a lighter in the front receptacle when I first bought it new. It's not that difficult to install a lighter. And your fuse is under the hood. I blew one 2 weeks ago.

 

They are interchangeable, they have 20 A fuses. The floor console is all by itself the front one is on the same circuit as the OBD port.