URGENT: plug stuck at fast charger

[Lenni]

Hi, I’m at an “in-charge” brand fast charger. It wasn’t able to initiate charging and now the plug is stuck in the charge port.

I have tried:
- locking and unlocking car
- pushing unlock button near port for various
- manual release cord in frunk
- disconnecting 12v battery for 15 min
- having property owner power cycle the charger (in-charge tech recommended this)

is there anything else I can do? I called nearby ford dealer and they had no further ideas

thanks for any ideas

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[wmaney]

Hi, I’m at an “in-charge” brand fast charger. It wasn’t able to initiate charging and now the plug is stuck in the charge port.

I have tried:
- locking and unlocking car
- pushing unlock button near port for various
- manual release cord in frunk
- disconnecting 12v battery for 15 min
- having property owner power cycle the charger (in-charge tech recommended this)

is there anything else I can do? I called nearby ford dealer and they had no further ideas

thanks for any ideas

Is there a number for the company on the charger? If so, call that number.

 

[Lenni]

I called in-charge and they suggested power cycling the unit (which the property owner did)

 

[Mach-Lee]

OK, did you pull firmly on the release cable in the frunk? Don't yank it, pull with firm pressure for like 5 seconds. Also, when you press down the release latch on the handle, does the button press down all the way? Try pressing down the latch on another cable for comparison. Make sure the latch isn't the problem, you should be able to look in there at the top of the charge port and see if it's lifting up high enough to clear the retention tab.

If you feel the latch is pressing down all the way normally but it still won't come out, then the cable may have welded itself to the DC pins. Did you hear an explosion nearby or see smoke coming from the charge port? If it's the case, then the connector will have to be pried free from the car with a pry bar to break the weld. The charging company technician should do that. Give them a reasonable time to respond, if they don't then you can probably pry it off yourself or have a mechanic or roadside guy do it.

Either way, try to get your dealer and Ford in the loop soon.

 

[ocdxfv]

I had the same problem with the charger in my garage. Nothing would release it. I had it towed and the dealer was somehow able to release it. The bigger problem was getting it towed. You need to get it into neutral, which is tricky. Hold the brake AND gas down at the same time, and the shifter should release so that you can put into neutral for the tow.

 

[Lenni]

The button doesn’t seem to be going down as much as other plugs. Have pushed as hard as possible.

no explosions or smoke or melted plastic/electronics smell.

thank you all for any additional ideas

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

Can you try pushing the plug in a bit, pressing down, and then removing it? Also, is there any sideways tension on the plug?

 

[Peugfan]

Hit UNLOCK button on the FOB 3 times (if you have your FOB). Probably won't work, but it worked on an ID.4 at EA when I was there. The owner called EA out of desperation and was given those instructions. Worked on that car and the owner was happy.

 

[Lenni]

Tried pushing in and pulling out, wiggling, etc

tried unlock 3x on fob

Still stuck

 

[Mach-Lee]

Tried pushing in and pulling out, wiggling, etc

tried unlock 3x on fob

Still stuck

Bummer. It does sound like the problem is the latch not releasing. So you might need someone to get in there with a long flat screwdriver and a flashlight to try to lift the latch up and over the catch.

 

[Lenni]

We released the latch with a think screwdriver and removed the plug!

I’m concerned the pin that holds and releases the latch is stuck.

taking it to ford to have them inspect the latch.

thank you all so much.

 

[Mach-Lee]

We released the latch with a think screwdriver and removed the plug!

I’m concerned the pin that holds and releases the latch is stuck.

taking it to ford to have them inspect the latch.

thank you all so much.

Great, glad the screwdriver worked.

Yes, you should have the charge port and lock mechanism inspected. Please see this article for what to look for, make sure the pin is retracted and okay: https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...icator-in-the-ipc-and-or-multiple-dtcs.21850/

FYI the updated TSB number for that issue is TSB 23-2014.

 

[MellowJohnny]

That's my biggest fear. Very happy you got this sorted out.

There are new DCFC chargers nearby which have given me trouble all three times I've charged there - the locking pin will release but the handle will just not budge. Takes a bunch of finagling and patience.

I don't charge there anymore.

Also may throw a long flathead screwdriver in the trunk.

Glad it worked out!!

 

[SJP]

Hi, I’m at an “in-charge” brand fast charger. It wasn’t able to initiate charging and now the plug is stuck in the charge port.

I have tried:
- locking and unlocking car
- pushing unlock button near port for various
- manual release cord in frunk
- disconnecting 12v battery for 15 min
- having property owner power cycle the charger (in-charge tech recommended this)

is there anything else I can do? I called nearby ford dealer and they had no further ideas

thanks for any ideas

Same thing happened to me- it unlocked as soon as I put a jumper box on the 12 volt battery connections. Car needed to be basically rebooted by the dealer to correct the issue

 

[zvez]

OK, did you pull firmly on the release cable in the frunk? Don't yank it, pull with firm pressure for like 5 seconds. Also, when you press down the release latch on the handle, does the button press down all the way? Try pressing down the latch on another cable for comparison. Make sure the latch isn't the problem, you should be able to look in there at the top of the charge port and see if it's lifting up high enough to clear the retention tab.

If you feel the latch is pressing down all the way normally but it still won't come out, then the cable may have welded itself to the DC pins. Did you hear an explosion nearby or see smoke coming from the charge port? If it's the case, then the connector will have to be pried free from the car with a pry bar to break the weld. The charging company technician should do that. Give them a reasonable time to respond, if they don't then you can probably pry it off yourself or have a mechanic or roadside guy do it.

Either way, try to get your dealer and Ford in the loop soon.

Three years into mach es, I had no idea there was a release cable in the frunk for the charge port. I've only charged on DC fast charger twice. But I need to look at this for future ref.

I think I knew this but forgot, found the vid Ben the EV Guy (hate that he moved over to teslas)

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