Charging cable not locking, not charging

[Eddie A]

Evening, all

Plugged my car in at home a couple of nights ago, but no charge added by the morning. The circuit breaker on the charger hadn't tripped so I assumed it was one of those software glitches and thought I'd have another go after the weekend. However...

Cable gets plugged in, lights around the socket turn bright blue, dashboard says it's connecting, but the cable doesn't get locked in place - this has always happened before. Can't remember if lack of lock happened the other night, though.

I've turned off scheduled charging on both the Ohme charger and the car - nothing flowing. Socket lights stay bright blue, but cable can still be pulled in and out.

Anyone come across this before?

 

[siteguru]

Are you locking the car?

 

[Eddie A]

Yes, as it's parked outside. Always have done. Don't know if it's related, but every now and then (maybe one in five charges?) the cable wouldn't unlock when unlocking the car in the morning, and I've had to use the release cable in the boot. I'm wondering if that's possibly snagged, as I had to do that at the last overnight charge a week or so ago.

 

[Robf]

Yes, as it's parked outside. Always have done. Don't know if it's related, but every now and then (maybe one in five charges?) the cable wouldn't unlock when unlocking the car in the morning, and I've had to use the release cable in the boot. I'm wondering if that's possibly snagged, as I had to do that at the last overnight charge a week or so ago.

Maybe give the release cable a few pulls and some wd40? Might be a bit jammed open

 

[Martinonline]

If you have an unlock problem you could try the unlock option on the battery page of the info screen.

 

[Eddie A]

If you have an unlock problem you could try the unlock option on the battery page of the info screen.

Have tried that in the past, Martin - has never worked for me, always had to tug the cable if it doesn't unlock when waking the car up.

Maybe give the release cable a few pulls and some wd40? Might be a bit jammed open

I'll give that a go, Rob - any clues as to getting to the cable easily? It hides behind the inner panel in the boot, with only a tiny hole to tug the cable through. I'm hesitant to try poking anything inside the socket though.

 

[Ian Key]

I'll give that a go, Rob - any clues as to getting to the cable easily? It hides behind the inner panel in the boot, with only a tiny hole to tug the cable through. I'm hesitant to try poking anything inside the socket though.

WD40 can affect some rubber and will evaporate. I sprayed the lock in the car and the pin on the charging port flap with silicone spray soon after I got the car, also the charging socket and plug. The cable releases a lot more easily than before applying the silicone.

https://amzn.eu/d/0iRPmbi4

 

[Eddie A]

WD40 can affect some rubber and will evaporate. I sprayed the lock in the car and the pin on the charging port flap with silicone spray soon after I got the car, also the charging socket and plug. The cable releases a lot more easily than before applying the silicone.

https://amzn.eu/d/0iRPmbi4

Thanks, Ian - good tip. We have some of that in the caravan so I'll borrow it the next time we're out.

My car is through an Octopus salary sacrifice scheme, so I have their AA equivalent coming along this morning to fettle her back to health - will report back after said fettling.

 

[Eddie A]

Mr AA (for it was them after all) identified that the socket lock wasn't locking, but couldn't do more than jiggle the cable about and see if that freed it - which it didn't. Personally I'm not too keen on sticking screwdrivers into 400v sockets either. So it's now back to Octopus to see if they can book me in for a warranty fix in one of the three MG dealers I can reach with my remaining charge of c. 30 miles. The first one they tried offered nothing until 5th August, good job I don't need to drive much over the next few weeks. Let's see what 2 and 3 come back with.

 

[ChrisW]

On May 3rd my MG4 Trophy LR 2023 also failed to charge using either the OHME EV charger or the 3 pin charger, despite locking successfully. Fortunately it was fully charged. The car was booked in to the dealer on June 4th, only to be rearranged to Jun 11th. Took 4 days to find it required a new CCU, which was ordered and has just been fitted (25th June). Car was returned with 92% charge. So glad I had kept it at 80% charge!
I've kept a diesel car for such instances.

 

[Eddie A]

On May 3rd my MG4 Trophy LR 2023 also failed to charge using either the OHME EV charger or the 3 pin charger, despite locking successfully. Fortunately it was fully charged. The car was booked in to the dealer on June 4th, only to be rearranged to Jun 11th. Took 4 days to find it required a new CCU, which was ordered and has just been fitted (25th June). Car was returned with 92% charge. So glad I had kept it at 80% charge!
I've kept a diesel car for such instances.

Thanks, Chris - sadly I lack the garage / driveway space for a spare car. Octopus have managed to move my date forward a bit, to 19th July, but that still means no MG for three weeks. As it's a company scheme, my MD is giving them grief as we speak...

 

[Davn]

Yes, as it's parked outside. Always have done. Don't know if it's related, but every now and then (maybe one in five charges?) the cable wouldn't unlock when unlocking the car in the morning, and I've had to use the release cable in the boot. I'm wondering if that's possibly snagged, as I had to do that at the last overnight charge a week or so ago.

Wow never knew there was one?

 

[Larry North]

G'Day from Sydney
I have had the same problems with a 2 year old PHEV I bought three months ago from a dealer here.
I got advice from the forum to remove the plug from the socket and switch on/off the car then reseat the plug.
This seemed to work for a while but also I found that the plug would not be released from the socket.
I called road assist but they were of no help. I have booked it in for a replacement unit in the car and after 6 weeks am still waiting for this.
One thing which seems to work to help release the plug is to quickly press the unlock button on the car remote 3 times.
Hope this is useful
Cheers
Larry

 

[Watty MG]

Hi,

I had the same problem with my MG HS PHEV and thanks to another forum I think its solved the problem.

The granny cable is heavy enough to not allow the cable to fully seat and so will not lock. No lock means no charge.

I found I could wedge the socket cover under the socket when it was plugged in and this took the strain of the cable. Is worked for me for the last four charges so please give it a try.

Good luck.

 

[Eddie A]

Thanks, Larry/Watty - I'll give those suggestions a go.