Frozen shut charge port door

[Jimmm]

My charge port door has been frozen shut for 3 days. Tried slowly pouring a couple gallons of hot water on it, making sure to wiggle door as I poured, but no luck. Any ideas.

Sponsored

 

[generaltso]

Have you tried a hairdryer?

 

[RickMachE]

Hair dryer. It's likely frozen in the latching mechanism. When you get it open, use the hair dryer on medium to thoroughly dry out the mechanism and then spray it with silicone.

And don't pour water on it again.

 

[Jimmm]

Have you tried a hairdryer?

I’ll give it a try, but very aggravating! I would hope that Ford might test these things in freezing weather. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Jimmm]

I’ll give it a try, but very aggravating! I would hope that Ford might test these things in freezing weather. Thanks for the suggestion!

Ok, hair dryer worked! Thanks all. Fingers crossed that I don’t have to do this every freezing day.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I would hope that Ford might test these things in freezing weather.

They did. Winter in Alaska and the upper peninsula of Michigan, among other places.

 

[bshaw]

I’ll give it a try, but very aggravating! I would hope that Ford might test these things in freezing weather. Thanks for the suggestion!

I think I know the answer, but just asking since it wasn't mentioned in your original post....

Have you been charging outside overnight and during snow / freezing rain weather conditions? (i.e charge door had to stay open)

Depending on how our driveway is arranged, I can charge either in the garage or outdoors. Based on what happened to you, I may try and always get into the garage when its going to be wet and cold.

 

[generaltso]

I may try and always get into the garage when its going to be wet and cold.

I would recommend that if it’s an option.

 

[Jimmm]

I think I know the answer, but just asking since it wasn't mentioned in your original post....

Have you been charging outside overnight and during snow / freezing rain weather conditions? (i.e charge door had to stay open)

Depending on how our driveway is arranged, I can charge either in the garage or outdoors. Based on what happened to you, I may try and always get into the garage when its going to be wet and cold.

Wish I could park it in the garage but it has to live outside. I had parked it at 95% charge so left the charge port door closed. We had a very dry, cold snow so no ice on the door, just frozen.

 

[Jimmm]

A mechanical latch with a lever inside would be better.

 

[dtbaker61]

My charge port door has been frozen shut for 3 days. Tried slowly pouring a couple gallons of hot water on it, making sure to wiggle door as I poured, but no luck. Any ideas.

I would definitely NOT pour water on a charge port door.... ever.

I'd suggest draping the fender/port with a (dry) heating pad if it freezes again.

WD-40 spray in/around hinge and latch mechanism may help in future....

Also draping port while charging if vehicle in outside in rain/snow in the future, you can open hood, drape, and close hood to hold drape while charging. Or, get a whole car cover and use it when you expect precip

and if you live in area prone to freezing rain/snow and car lives/charges outside, I'd suggest pulling off the left beauty cover, and draping the LVB, and the area behind the charge port, with a 12v electric blanket, or seat heater element (https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-628-040-Universal-Seat-Heater/dp/B002U6IL9O) you can power right from the nearby 12v connection points by adding a switch to power the blanket all winter. It will be a parasitic drain, but 100watts is minimal since the HV will keep the LV battery charged up.

 

[mwsno]

I'm up in northern Washington state and the charging port had collected ice to the point where I couldn't close it. Cold days I always leave it plugged in no matter the SOC. Was frustrating but I was able to clear it enough to close the door shut. Doesn't happen much up here but I started looking at buying one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NYQJLWT/

 

[ChasingCoral]

Interesting that this is primarily a problem during this rare winter weather in the PNW. I wonder if rain and high humidity before the freeze resulted in internal icing that wasn’t seen in MI and AK?

 

[Jimmm]

I'm up in northern Washington state and the charging port had collected ice to the point where I couldn't close it. Cold days I always leave it plugged in no matter the SOC. Was frustrating but I was able to clear it enough to close the door shut. Doesn't happen much up here but I started looking at buying one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NYQJLWT/

I’ve read that the fenders are aluminum so the magnets won’t work but it’s a good idea. Maybe a strip of Velcro just inside the top of the chargeport?

 

[blink]

10 min of hair dryer worked. Focused on lower half. Gonna try some silicon or something.

I don't have access to garage either. This has been the only charge problem so far.

Sponsored