Voltage supply from flashlight socket vs. cig lighter
 

So,I'm modifying a flashlight to use as a power source for my dashcam. When I measure the voltage coming from the socket, I get 13.4v. When I connect the wires, the dashcam will not power up. But when I connect the plug to the cig lighter in the dash, the camera powers up. I have not yet measured the voltage from the cig lighter (battery in meter died) but should it not be the same? Or is 13.4v abnormal from the flashlight socket? I read alot of posts and it seems most people use this ignition power source for the same purpose yet mine doesn't seem to want to work.

Did you check polarity on the wires? 13.4V is high unless the car is on.
Using an adapter is easier.

I do agree the adapter is simpler but it makes no sense to spend $30USD on something I can achieve in ten minutes on my shop bench. The issue is with the voltage. The polarity was confirmed correct with my multimeter and the fact that the wire colors match and the flashlight and socket only go together one way, avoiding the wrong polarity. The voltage is with the car on because it will be plugged in with the car running. I've been away and I haven't been ale to check the voltage at the cigarette lighter.

The voltage should be the same. Cigarette lighter is just constant battery voltage (direct Terminal 30) and flash light is activated on ignition position 1 (via ignition switch to Terminal R rail).

So, solved the problem. The issue: i'm an idiot! I didn't realize that the dashcam I was trying to power was only requiring 5v. The adapter that it came with had the circuitry inside to step down from 12v to 5v. In my experience, those adapters usually always translate the 12v from the socket to whatever it's powering. When I inspected the adapter, I saw the output as 5v. So, when I connected the flashlight socket 12v supply to the terminals on the dashcam plug, powered right up.
So, my assumption that it needed 12v is what the issue was. Thanks for the replies!