charging flap

[jaapv]

No you are not missing anything; it is just a second rate flimsy design.

 

[Kesto]

One year now no flap problems.

 

[maby]

No you are not missing anything; it is just a second rate flimsy design.

The more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that the flimsiness of it is not really the problem - it needs to be designed in such a way that it does not stick out when it is open. This flap will be open for several hours at a time and in a public place in many cases with people moving around the car. It simply sticks out too far - vulnerable to being bent by someone walking past. There really is nothing they could do to the current design that would make it strong enough to reliably withstand the impacts that it is likely to receive over the lifetime of the car.

 

[Sumpy]

No you are not missing anything; it is just a second rate flimsy design.

The more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that the flimsiness of it is not really the problem - it needs to be designed in such a way that it does not stick out when it is open. This flap will be open for several hours at a time and in a public place in many cases with people moving around the car. It simply sticks out too far - vulnerable to being bent by someone walking past. There really is nothing they could do to the current design that would make it strong enough to reliably withstand the impacts that it is likely to receive over the lifetime of the car.

I agree that it is flimsy and not in keeping with the quality of the rest of the car, but if the flap didn't protrude as much as it does then the charge handle would be the furthest protrusion from the car and if that got knocked by someone going past it would cost a lot more to repair than the flap and possibly leave the car unable to receive any further charge.
Maybe relocating the charge point to the rear just under the light cluster, or even have the light cluster as the flap with the charge points behind.

 

[Dusz]

Having the charging port at the back or at the front as per the Leaf and Zoe would be beneficial.

When I charge away from home I have a webbing strap that I pass through the latch on the flap and tie it onto the plug/cable. The strap has a double D locking means. This reduces the amount the flap sticks out and prevents it from being bent back.

 

[Lance]

The best solution would be to have some sort of sliding cover rather than a flap. Something like a mini version of a sliding car door would be perfect. Maybe for a touch of class have it so pushing it in the right place causes a electric motor to slide it out of the way.

 

[maby]

No you are not missing anything; it is just a second rate flimsy design.

The more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that the flimsiness of it is not really the problem - it needs to be designed in such a way that it does not stick out when it is open. This flap will be open for several hours at a time and in a public place in many cases with people moving around the car. It simply sticks out too far - vulnerable to being bent by someone walking past. There really is nothing they could do to the current design that would make it strong enough to reliably withstand the impacts that it is likely to receive over the lifetime of the car.

I agree that it is flimsy and not in keeping with the quality of the rest of the car, but if the flap didn't protrude as much as it does then the charge handle would be the furthest protrusion from the car and if that got knocked by someone going past it would cost a lot more to repair than the flap and possibly leave the car unable to receive any further charge.
Maybe relocating the charge point to the rear just under the light cluster, or even have the light cluster as the flap with the charge points behind.

The flap provides virtually no protection - the plug and socket are vastly stronger.

 

[xomegaman]

I have a large rubber band that I put round the charge plug nozzle and then round the flap. Doesn't look pretty but does the job. The postman walking between the cars catches the flap with the post bag so the rubber band saves it being bent back. Ironically I use the large rubber bands the postie drops on the drive☺

I agree it's not the best design in the world☺

Steve

GX4H

 

[Kesto]

I have my 4H for over a year , no problem at all will flap. Though I have been careful since I read the initial posts

 

[Albacore]

I've had my car for 15 months, and have been very very careful with the flap due to reading all these posts. Had my car serviced the other day...all was great then. Now though the flap has started catching on the body work. Makes a dreadful clanking noise and is starting to take the paint off the edge of the body work. I'm pretty sure it hasn't been bent. I don't fancy taking it apart, sounds complicated especially for someone not used to wielding spanners. Does the brute force method involve pulling the flap towards the back of the car? I don't want to make it worse! Problem is I cant pop into my local dealer as they are 80 miles away!

Really love the car but this issue and resulting noise is starting to really annoy me, especially as I can see the paint work getting worn ☹

 

[vickers7893]

Had the same problem with the flap fouling the body work. Sorted by the dealer.
However new fault has developed in that on sharp left hand bends warning light "Flap Open". shows on dash.
Goes out when vehicle straightens up :!:



Big John

GX3+
MY16
Orient Red
Named "Sparky"

 

[techyteacher]

I now own a phev and whilst satisfied the flap you open to access the charging point has a black clip which has now fallen out twice and so the flap now catches as it is closed on the end closest to the hinge causing some damage to the body. The garage i purchased it from have tried to fix it but it is still not satisfactory. Has this happened to anyone else?

This also happened to with me and one month old car and although the dealer spotted the problem and the paint damage they accused me of bending the flap and causing the damage. I am disappointed with my local dealership and their reaction as they have been excellent with servicing etc.

As several people had the same problem I do believe that Mitsubishi should investigate it and resolve this minor issue as it has caused paint damage.

 

[DrSlackBladder]

Yep, same happened to me, 64 plate 4Hs, with the flap making a large click sound when opened fully. It went for its service and came back fixed.

 

[smbunn]

Same problem and Mitsi servicing have not fixed it. Has chipped the paint and opening and closing the flap makes a loud click. Black clip has dropped out a few times. Sounds like a design fault.

 

[vickers7893]

My charging flap problem is becoming very annoying.
Every time we take a sharp left hand bend the warning-"Charging Flap Open" comes on then goes out when straightening up. Flap is closed.
Anyone else had this problem and if so how was it rectified? :x

GX3+
MY16
Orient Red
Named "Sparky"

 

[thirdbrother3]

I made a short video showing the refitting of the clip. if it helps

https://youtu.be/I8ObAkD7rjQ

No specialist tools required, just a 10mm socket.
There is a good description of how to fit earlier in this thread, which mentions taking time when refitting. by having the two bolts almost tight, subtle adjustments can be made to get an even gap around the flap and prevent contact with bodywork.

 

[Finntiger]

I have the same issues as posted here in this thread. Charging flap spring has come loose, flap has scratched the bodywork paint on the hinge side. Got the spring put back in place, but seems hinge is slightly bent since it would still scratch the bodywork. As a workaround I added a pair of washers under the bolts to get more clearance. This works, no more scratching, but flap opens during drives, even though it seems to properly click shut when pressed to close. Also this workaround has the drawback that the flap isn't totally flush with the bodywork when closed - the washers alter the alignment ever so slightly.
I will take this up with the local dealer at the next maintenance service, but I'm not holding my breath for a positive outcome, given the reports I've seen here. My PHEV MY14 is a second hand car which is out of warranty by now.
If someone has detailed info how to properly and carefully mend&bend the hinge and spring to place I'd be glad to hear it. There was a posting here earlier about this, but it wasn't detailed enough to act upon (for me, at least).

 

[richr]

Mine's got a chip in the paint where it rubs, obviously the previous owner wasn't too bothered. I opened the flap to 90 degrees and pulled on it. Now it just clears the bodywork by under a millimeter, but it does clear. I've put a bit of clear tape on the edge of the flap so even if it does move back it won't scratch the paint again (once I get the paintwork touched up anyway).

 

[Merry]

We've had a similar issue with ours, wind got it then started catching chipping the paint. Then the hinge fell out.

Put that back in following the video above but was still catching. To get round that I out a couple of rubber washers between the hinge and mount to space it out slightly. Worked a charm, have a nice even panel gap around the flap now and no catching.

Hope that helps someone

 

[jaapv]

It happened to me in the first month. My dealer fixed it in ten minutes and it is fine in five years time