fixitmic Posted January 13, 2018 at 12:30 AM Report Share Posted January 13, 2018 at 12:30 AM Anyone having issues with the charge port door getting stuck in the winter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4cylinder Posted January 13, 2018 at 04:18 AM Report Share Posted January 13, 2018 at 04:18 AM Today there was a lot of sleet in Metro Detroit and my car was parked outside at work so a lot of ice built up. The charge port got stuck thanks to the ice, but after pushing on it 3 or 4 times it finally popped free. Note to self: Try to get sheltered parking in such weather... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rspray Posted February 4, 2018 at 01:04 PM Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 at 01:04 PM I had this issue a couple times per winter here in the NE. That is until the port door fell off some time during driving, now my port is exposed. Dealer quoted me >$600 which was a tough pill to swallow so I balked. I try to appease myself by saying it’s plugged in ~99% of the time, I don’t see it while driving, etc. If anyone has suggestions for a <$600 solution I’m all ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fixitmic Posted February 4, 2018 at 05:53 PM Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 at 05:53 PM So, I live in NE Ohio and every time the temperature drops below 30 the charger port door gets stuck closed. I am afraid to drive with it open because the air vibration could break it off, but when its gets stuck closed it can easily be several days before the temp raises enough to open again. Is there a lube or some other maint I can do to help prevent this. Also, is the a trick to getting it open without prying it with a spoon, since this is also likely to break off the door. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphy Posted February 4, 2018 at 06:07 PM Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 at 06:07 PM Use a hair dryer to flow warm air into the area while pressing in on the release area (indentation). I have not done this. I park in a garage and mine has never been frozen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fixitmic Posted February 4, 2018 at 06:26 PM Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 at 06:26 PM Freezing at home is not really a problem since its usually plugged in, the issue is when I am on the road or while I am at work. Hair dryer is not really an option until I do get home but then I have missed my opportunity to use the level 2 charger at work, I do not want to drive with the door open leaving the port exposed to weather and the door to wind vibration. When it gets stuck its very frustrating and I fear breaking the door off by forcing it. I do not have a clear understanding of how exactly that door mechanism work. Is it ok to lube the rotating mech or is it better dry and clean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphy Posted February 4, 2018 at 07:37 PM Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 at 07:37 PM I don't know about lube but I suppose anything that stays fluid below freezing and doesn't conduct electricity would be okay. Let's make sure you know how to correctly open it. My salesman had no clue on the proper operation and almost broke mine before I took possession of the car. Both open and close are done by pushing on the indentation on the door until the operation is complete. Water should not be able to get in there. There is a soft rubber ring that seals against the back of the door when it is closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4cylinder Posted February 5, 2018 at 03:45 PM Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 at 03:45 PM So, I live in NE Ohio and every time the temperature drops below 30 the charger port door gets stuck closed. I am afraid to drive with it open because the air vibration could break it off, but when its gets stuck closed it can easily be several days before the temp raises enough to open again. Is there a lube or some other maint I can do to help prevent this. Also, is the a trick to getting it open without prying it with a spoon, since this is also likely to break off the door. Any thoughts? It's only happened to me once, but I just repeatedly hammered my finger on the indentation (not too hard though) and eventually the accumulated ice broke apart and the door sprang open. It's a very tight space so there shouldn't be too much ice building up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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