left headlight socket at times reads 12volts when tested at other times 0

This may sound silly but is the power on? Is it the high beam and the high beam switch is activated? Is there a ground when your testing the power? Is there solid connections or is it lose and intermittent? Electrical issues are some of the most hair pulling issues there are. Are you touching the power side that comes in or touching another connection that needs the bulb in to make that bridge for the little electrons to jump over?

actually did end up taking the car in ....we had checked every thing you mentioned...what we didn't know...there was another wire harness behind the front bumper....wires were toast! All fixed now! Thankyou for responding!