Frozen shut charge port door

[TheVirtualTim]

If you open the frunk and pull up the panel that covers side where the charge port door is located (you have to pull up the rear panel before you can pull up either side panel) you might be able to heat it from the inside. I have not tried this.

There is a cable release located there ... but I think that unlocks the CCS charging plug and not the door release.

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[jlauro]

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

Not that I generally would either, but as you didn't say why I'll just mention they are waterproof and have all sorts of safety protocols turning on/off electricity. Extremely low and safe voltage communications have to be established with not to mention safety sensors before any high voltage connectors are turned on either side of the car receptacle or plug on the cable. Just to be clear, you don't need to worry about electrical shock from doing so. I might be a little worried if the plug was frozen into the car and you poured water on it while charging, but even that should be safe.

 

[Maquis]

Not that I generally would either, but as you didn't say why I'll just mention they are waterproof and have all sorts of safety protocols turning on/off electricity. Extremely low and safe voltage communications have to be established with not to mention safety sensors before any high voltage connectors are turned on either side of the car receptacle or plug on the cable. Just to be clear, you don't need to worry about electrical shock from doing so. I might be a little worried if the plug was frozen into the car and you poured water on it while charging, but even that should be safe.

Agree with all of that. I’d be more concerned about getting water deeper into places that may freeze later than the electrical aspect.

 

[aamyotte]

A mechanical latch with a lever inside would be better.

As someone with a car that has a latch and mechanical lever setup I can tell you it's a pain in the a$$!
I was at the gas station and pulled the latch only to have the door not release. It took 3 attempts of back and forth between lever in driver foot well and gas cover to get it opened.

 

[supertrooperx]

I had the reverse issue where it was frozen open. Tried unfreezing it, but the latch mechanism just fell inside. Quite a bad design.

Now a tape holds the door close on a fairly new car until parts are available.

 

[RickMachE]

Agree with all of that. I’d be more concerned about getting water deeper into places that may freeze later than the electrical aspect.

Imagine filling the charging terminals with frozen water. Yikes!

 

[skiingj]

Hopefully Ford will have a TSB for this soon. Surprised this got by testing.

Maybe it was the Paak team testing in cold weather. They could have used the excuse - We couldn't charge the car to fully test Paak.

 

[Woeo]

Imagine filling the charging terminals with frozen water. Yikes!

Pouring water on the closed charging door is no more dangerous than letting the car get rained on.

 

[RickMachE]

Pouring water on the closed charging door is no more dangerous than letting the car get rained on.

Plug full of frozen water isn't usable.

 

[jlauro]

Plug full of frozen water isn't usable.

That's why you use hot water and then blow dry it. ?

 

[Maquis]

Pouring water on the closed charging door is no more dangerous than letting the car get rained on.

To repeat, I don’t think it’s dangerous. But it may exacerbate the freezing issue.
Remember, we’re talking about pouring water on the door when it’s frozen, thus the temperature is lower than it is during a heavy rain.

 

[dtbaker61]

Agree with all of that. I’d be more concerned about getting water deeper into places that may freeze later than the electrical aspect.

exactly.
with the port door open, water could collect in crevices or connections, and become a problem with repeat freeze/thaw.

and... to a lessor extent, if everything is wet, including your hand and the ground and snow you are standing in... there is some *small* risk of shock hazard.

I would highly suggest a waterproof drape while charging outside in any precipitation, and a DRY heat blanket installed under the beauty cover, perhaps stuffed in behind the charge port pulling power from the 12v connection points to keep the port hinge toasty above freezing if you live in a cold place prone to freezing rain/snow.

 

[Jimmm]

Well, now that I got it open to charge it with the blow dryer there is no way to get it to latch shut. 15 minutes again with the blow dryer and at least the charge door will push in but won’t latch so I eventually resorted to red tuck tape on my near new $65,000 car. It’s certainly not looking good to anyone who sees it.

as I said before, FORD CAN DO BETTER!

 

[Tyldum]

Ford needs to lubricate the mechanism at factory.
Use lithium grease inside the latching part, and it will displace any water finding its way into it.

 

[Dzsink]

Ford needs to lubricate the mechanism at factory.
Use lithium grease inside the latching part, and it will displace any water finding its way into it.

Our one was. But didn't prevent the problem. We have had this situation while on the road and couldn't open the port door. Also, at home the charging cable would ice in. Had to use a hairdryer for 20 minutes to free up. With our model S this never happened. I think the main problem is the tolerance between the female and male part on the Ford is very loose. And on the Tesla is thigh enough that no solid ice can form. We have had our used MS since 2017 drove more than 100K miles, always parked outside and never had any problem. Ford customer service does not seem to bother about this. It is not an issue....

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