Charge port door stuck closed? Read this

[Halodde]

I'll fill everyone in on the details of what lead up to this later when I have more time.

Bottom line is that my charge port door would not open with any method including manually. I'm 300 miles away from home and needed to be able to charge in order to get home. So I contacted Lucid and none of the suggestions worked (resets, sleep, manual etc...). I was about to break it off so I could charge and deal with the repair after I got home.

I had started disassembling the door and inside of the frunk in an attempt to detach it. I reached the point where it looked like the attached picture. And I hit a dead end with detaching it. You can see that the mechanism still blocks the cable from plugging in. So I was about to break it off. One of the techs from Rutherford suggested that I put the cover back on to get better mechanical leverage on pulling it out and down to pull it open. And if that didn't work, it would give me more leverage to break it off. Either way, I'd be able to charge and get home.

Fortunately, the increased leverage (and I was pulling so hard I thought it was going to break) released something and I got it open.

Bottom line is: if you can't get your charge port open, don't bother disassembling it. Pull out and down as hard as necessary to either open it or, if absolutely necessary, break it if you need to charge before Lucid can service it.

The charge port assembly needs to be replaced anyway. And at least now I can get home and deal with the repairs at a later time. Hope none of you experience this.

 

[L-Dude]

I'm not seeing a photo. That would help--this is an interesting post. I had a charge port prob on my Audi and ended up having to break it off (it was two weeks in the shop to fix it).

 

[Halodde]

I'm not seeing a photo. That would help--this is an interesting post. I had a charge port prob on my Audi and ended up having to break it off (it was two weeks in the shop to fix it).

Can you see the pictures now?

 

[Pragmatic]

So much nicer than a flip open manual cover.

 

[Halodde]

So much nicer than a flip open manual cover.

Based on recent events, I respectfully disagree

 

[eelpout]

So much nicer than a flip open manual cover.

I sense a missing /s

So who do we blame for all this motorized door & handle nonsense?

NotchEV had a video today where his door handles on his Gravity were frozen shut. It's just silly at this point.

 

[Pragmatic]

My sarcasm was missed and agree on the door handles.

 

[L-Dude]

I would pay serious money for a printed manual for my Air.

 

[hmp10]

NotchEV had a video today where his door handles on his Gravity were frozen shut. It's just silly at this point.

He also stopped at three new charging stations -- Ionna, MB, and Rivian -- that were all built with no covers over them. When was the last time anyone had to stand in driving rain at a gas pump while they put the hose in the car, punched in multiple buttons, waited for screens to respond, swiped a credit card . . . ?

Who would even think of opening a gas station these days with pumps out in the open? It's just another way that EV drivers are relegated to second class status.

 

[chazglenn3]

I would pay serious money for a printed manual for my Air.

It shouldn't take serious money. Take the PDF file to your local FedEx Office and print it out.

 

[Halodde]

He also stopped at three new charging stations -- Ionna, MB, and Rivian -- that were all built with no covers over them. When was the last time anyone had to stand in driving rain at a gas pump while they put the hose in the car, punched in multiple buttons, waited for screens to respond, swiped a credit card . . . ?

Who would even think of opening a gas station these days with pumps out in the open? It's just another way that EV drivers are relegated to second class status.

I agree. But I think the primary reason you don't see gas pumps without cover anymore is because of laws requiring fire suppression systems built into overhead structures. I'm not 100% sure about that though

 

[segbrk]

The manual does have instructions for opening the door without power, for what it's worth:

"Gently" may be putting it nicely from the sounds of it though.

 

[RayMan]

I'd get a charge port cover like this one to stop water and dirt to get in as you wait for Lucid to take the car in.

 

[Halodde]

I'd get a charge port cover like this one to stop water and dirt to get in as you wait for Lucid to take the car in.

Honesty, I'm probably going to use duct tape to drive home tomorrow but that's a good idea for however long it takes to get it fixed.

Good thing my car is silver!

 

[Cosmo Cruz]

I'd get a charge port cover like this one to stop water and dirt to get in as you wait for Lucid to take the car in.

That is such a good idea.

 

[L-Dude]

It shouldn't take serious money. Take the PDF file to your local FedEx Office and print it out.

Great idea! I don't know why I didn't do this earlier.

 

[hmp10]

NotchEV had a video today where his door handles on his Gravity were frozen shut. It's just silly at this point.

Given how much water my leaf blower blows out of the door handles (and the charge port cover, and the mirrors, and the frunk lid, and the rear hatch) after a car wash, I'm surprised any of these things ever work in a northern winter.

 

[Halodde]

I'd get a charge port cover like this one to stop water and dirt to get in as you wait for Lucid to take the car in.

Do you have a link for that? I couldn't find it on Amazon

 

[EVCar]

To break open the charge port cover, here's a $12 option that may work and save the fingers:

Air Wedge Bag Pump Professional Leveling Kit & Alignment Tool Inflatable Shim Bag​

 

[Halodde]

Since Wednesday morning, I've had charge port failure, wiper failure drive system warning and auto high beam failure. WTF. Out of warranty might mean the end of my time with Lucid. Can't wait to see how much this is going to cost out of pocket.