Help requested- how to open stuck charge port door

[Mach-Lee]

I get what you are saying. And there is a big difference in supporting a customer through a very difficult situation, made more severe due to living so remotely. Yes- I didn’t get the answer I wanted from them. And, a dealer worked with me and helped me, and guess what? Instead Olof being towed 170 miles, I was given extra tips that worked! The door came open. Now it won’t close but heck- I can charge and tape it shut, and get it fixed. So. There are ways.

What was the special trick? So we can help others if it happens again.

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[Sparke]

It’s hard to write, and it was harder to do. I hit it. Hard. No damage to the door, and it popped open. Way harder than I would have done on my own. I still think it was a fluke that it worked- but it did. Anyone have tips on how to get it to stay closed?!?

 

[Mach-Lee]

It’s hard to write, and it was harder to do. I hit it. Hard. No damage to the door, and it popped open. Way harder than I would have done on my own. I still think it was a fluke that it worked- but it did. Anyone have tips on how to get it to stay closed?!?

Spray the pin and the hole with some dry silicone lubricant spray. I think you can replace the pin mechanism too, somebody found the compatible part from a BMW I think. You should charge up before you close it again.

 

[ARK]

It’s hard to write, and it was harder to do. I hit it. Hard. No damage to the door, and it popped open. Way harder than I would have done on my own. I still think it was a fluke that it worked- but it did. Anyone have tips on how to get it to stay closed?!?

Not knowing what exactly went wrong, I would be careful about getting it closed, you don’t know if whatever it is totally fails/is even harder to open a second time around if you shut it tightly. Loosely closing with some kind of paint friendly tape seems wiser.

I’d still get to a dealer asap (100% this weekend if can’t during the week), your issue is not ‘solved’.

 

[AKgrampy]

Did you take a look for any debris that may have gotten into the mechanism?

 

[Sparke]

Spray the pin and the hole with some dry silicone lubricant spray. I think you can replace the pin mechanism too, somebody found the compatible part from a BMW I think. You should charge up before you close it again.

Yes- and now it won’t stay closed so I’ll get some paint-friendly tape to close it until I can get to a dealer. I did have extra paint protection done so hopefully it will be ok. Working on getting an appointment now.

 

[Sparke]

Not knowing what exactly went wrong, I would be careful about getting it closed, you don’t know if whatever it is totally fails/is even harder to open a second time around if you shut it tightly. Loosely closing with some kind of paint friendly tape seems wiser.

I’d still get to a dealer asap (100% this weekend if can’t during the week), your issue is not ‘solved’.

100% yes.

 

[Sparke]

Did you take a look for any debris that may have gotten into the mechanism?

Yes- didn’t see anything. Sprayed with dry lube. Someone mentioned that BMW has the same part- found and I think ordered. Also working with dealer to order the part(s). At least I can charge and drive. Getting Velcro strips to see if that will keep it closed until it gets fixed.

 

[TRP]

You're "plunger" seems to hang to the left there Mr

 

[Sparke]

Haha! It was the way I had to hold it and take the pic!!?

 

[MacTheMach]

@Sparke what ended up being the end result? We’re in the same boat as of yesterday. About to give the dealer a shout. The silicone spray didn’t help, still can’t get the thing to close after finally getting it open.
@Ford Motor Company any suggestions to maybe help speed things along?

 

[Ghost Ryder]

I think you can unscrew the "male" part pretty easily. Then you should be able to get it closed easily. I think you'll just have to replace that part.

 

[Crabbypants]

I get what you are saying. And there is a big difference in supporting a customer through a very difficult situation, made more severe due to living so remotely. Yes- I didn’t get the answer I wanted from them. And, a dealer worked with me and helped me, and guess what? Instead Olof being towed 170 miles, I was given extra tips that worked! The door came open. Now it won’t close but heck- I can charge and tape it shut, and get it fixed. So. There are ways.

What did you hear from the dealer? I’m confronting this issue right now.

 

[Crabbypants]

I had the same issue this morning. It’s 26F here, so I took out a little more than a cup of hot water and poured it over the seam on the right side. It opened on the first try after that. Seems like poor design that it would freeze easily.

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