Charging port door stuck closed?

[philwire]

It happened twice in the last few weeks since ownership of the PHEV. Charging port door refuses to pop open when pressing on it, have to fiddle with it for about 5 minutes until it understands what it's supposed to do.

I read somewhere in the manual theres a way to open it from inside the trunk but seems unlikely since it all looks sealed. Any hacks for next time it happens?

 

[richr]

I'd open the flap, then have a look at the catch mechanism. Give it a push with your finger and if it's not moving smoothly give it a good clean and spray with first a penetrating oil, then a light white grease. Maybe check the metal bit on the door itself that pushes on the spring loaded pin isn't twisted or bent. Also check the gap all the way round the flap is even -it's quite thin metal and easily bent (hence the number of cars where it's chipped the paint at the hinge end).

 

[philwire]

I'd open the flap, then have a look at the catch mechanism. Give it a push with your finger and if it's not moving smoothly give it a good clean and spray with first a penetrating oil, then a light white grease. Maybe check the metal bit on the door itself that pushes on the spring loaded pin isn't twisted or bent. Also check the gap all the way round the flap is even -it's quite thin metal and easily bent (hence the number of cars where it's chipped the paint at the hinge end).

Thanks, I'll keep an eye open for those sings.

I tried to look for some metal to metal touching in the movement of the door, but it doesnt seem to be the case. And the spring seems to respond well once I get the door open (like a ballpoint pen click in - click out mecanism)

Next time I'll try to film it with my cell phone and I'll give my dealer a ring.

 

[philwire]

Well it happened again, this time I simply tried to lock/unlock the car with the remote. Seems either I locked the car before opening the charging door, or the locking pin was stuck there.

 

[Gord Walden]

I never had this problem with my 2017 PHEV but my 2023 sticks. I took in the car to the dealership and they reported that they haven't heard of the problem and I don't know how they "fixed" it but I have noted that the charging door sticks when my car is parked with a very slight lean down to the driver's side. Also, cool, wet weather seems to greatly affect the operation of the spring. That's today's weather and it was stuck both times I went to charge it. I find that I can get it to work if I gently pry on the middle upper gap. I'm afraid to try WD40, white lithium or graphite without the dealership's approval as I imagine that eventually there should be a recall notice sent out.

 

[Ben Baker]

My '23 charge door is also iffy, sometimes it pops out, sometimes I pull it out with a finger nail, once I couldn't get it open at all (I'd locked the car first , opps).

 

[BobK]

I have a constant problem with the charging door being difficult to open, dating from 2-3 months after I got my 2023. Occasionally this is because it is locked, despite the dash showing it as unlocked. Powering up the car then shutting it down again seems to solve this. But on the other hand, it does not pop open when I press on it, even when unlocked. The dealer has replaced the latch mechanism twice with no improvement and it appears to work correctly when I push the plunger manually. The dealer ended up recommending I spray it occasionally with silicon spray. Can't say I see much of an improvement, but it isn't getting worse.
If I give it a hard bash, it will usually bounce back enough I can get my finger under it, but when I can't, I have a plastic war amps tag on my key chain that I can use to get under the lip and fiddle to pull it open. I think something must be out of alignment. Any suggestions?

 

[Jhelman]

I’ve had the same problem with my ‘23 since we’ve had it. It is mostly when it is cool and wet out, which in Seattle is most of the time durning the winter.
I have to push it, then get a finger in the gap at the bottom and lift up a little to get it to open. My wife continually has trouble with it.
Spraying WD40 on the thing that pops it open makes it a little better, but not fixed.

 

[ronnieracoon]

I’ve had the same problem with my ‘23 since we’ve had it. It is mostly when it is cool and wet out, which in Seattle is most of the time durning the winter.
I have to push it, then get a finger in the gap at the bottom and lift up a little to get it to open. My wife continually has trouble with it.
Spraying WD40 on the thing that pops it open makes it a little better, but not fixed.

Did you unlock the charger port with the options menu?

 

[Jhelman]

The port is unlocked and you can hear the mechanism attempt to open it. We’ve had the car for almost two years now. I can try and get a video to show it in ‘action’.

 

[mellobob]

The port is unlocked and you can hear the mechanism attempt to open it. We’ve had the car for almost two years now. I can try and get a video to show it in ‘action’.

You're not going to believe my solution I have a little flyswatter from the $ store in the car (you have no idea how annoying a little bug in the car can be!). Anyway, the floppy plastic end (the part that hits the bug) is just perfect for sliding in between the door and the car body. Plus, it's less likely to damage paint, etc.

 

[ronnieracoon]

The port is unlocked and you can hear the mechanism attempt to open it. We’ve had the car for almost two years now. I can try and get a video to show it in ‘action’.

This is weird. I have a 2024 and I charge 2 or 3 times a week. Never hear motor / lock sound or whirring in charge port. I just open and plug it in. No sound whatsoever except the confirmation of charge with beep sound.