Charge Port door not opening

[GaryMiller]

Having had some problems with the charge port door on our Trophy not staying closed unless it was held closed while the car was locked (replacement now on order under warranty) we now have the opposite problem in that the door now refuses to open.
The only reference I can find to the issue on the forum relates to the door sticking in very cold weather, which is obviously not the case in rainy Devon. I've tried everything I can think of, including playing around with the MG app but with no success.

Any help gratefully received - we're now down to 30% charge .................................

Gary

 

[fnegroni]

so you successfully unlock it, but can’t open it. Is that correct?
It is defective already anyway as you say, could it be worth getting a plastic lever and pry it open?

 

[Steve T]

The only useful thing I can offer is that when it happened to mine, the dealer was able to open it somehow. We then left it permanently unlocked by removing the locking pin on the charge port door, until a replacement unit could be ordered

 

[Diggsy]

Edit to remove the silly suggestion I made!

 

[Kithmo]

I take it you’ve tried the manual release from the boot?

That's for the plug not the flap.

 

[Diggsy]

That's for the plug not the flap.

Ah, my bad…teach me to think I’m being smart ?

What I can maybe add then to help the OP is to ensure you’re pressing on the exact position. I’ve notice with mine that unless I press the exact spot where the catch is, it doesn’t close or open properly. Can be quite frustrating at times, standing there pressing it numerous times before it opens or closes!

Another thing that might be worth trying is locking and unlocking it several times with the button on the infotainment system, or even using the key fob while you’re standing close enough to it to try to open it as you unlock etc

 

[GaryMiller]

Hi All,

Thanks for the suggestions - I suspect that, as suggested, I might have to gently lever it open as it's going to be replaced anyway (as to when, that's another matter......................)

 

[Kithmo]

What I can maybe add then to help the OP is to ensure you’re pressing on the exact position. I’ve notice with mine that unless I press the exact spot where the catch is, it doesn’t close or open properly. Can be quite frustrating at times, standing there pressing it numerous times before it opens or closes!

Yeah, mine is a little temperamental about where I press it, the catch is halfway down the rear edge and if I press it anywhere else it doesn't always open first time.

 

[Martinonline]

Another thing that might be worth trying is locking and unlocking it several times with the button on the infotainment system, or even using the key fob while you’re standing close enough to it to try to open it as you unlock etc

I thought the lock/unlock button on the charging screen was to lock/unlock the plug not the charge port door.

 

[Diggsy]

I thought the lock/unlock button on the charging screen was to lock/unlock the plug not the charge port door.

Yep it is indeed…yet another point I got wrong - not having the best of weeks advising folks ??‍

 

[JonnyG]

Sounds like you may have a sticking solenoid if you've had problems with it not staying closed as well. You could try a few thumps around the area (with care !) and once open spray some silicone around the catch but in the longer term I think you may need a dealer visit and new mechanism.

There's a few similar threads on here :-

Charging Flap / Door not opening

Can't get my charging door open. Anybody any idea how I can get this open?

www.mgevs.com

 

[fnegroni]

... but in the longer term I think you may need a dealer visit and new mechanism.

As per OP first post:
"replacement now on order under warranty"

 

[Topofthehill]

I tried everything when my charging flap refused to open but all to no avail. In the end I visited my dealer who forced it open, breaking it in the process. The new flap and replacement solenoid were fitted under warranty but I was told that this might not have been the case if I had forced the flap open.

 

[salty]

I tried everything when my charging flap refused to open but all to no avail. In the end I visited my dealer who forced it open, breaking it in the process. The new flap and replacement solenoid were fitted under warranty but I was told that this might not have been the case if I had forced the flap open.

But what are you supposed to do, if your battery is way down, say 2-3%
You would have to force it open, just to get to the dealers. ?

 

[Ian Key]

But what are you supposed to do, if you battery is way down, say 2-3%
You would have to force it open, just to get to the dealers. ?

Might be covered by MG Assist who should take it to the dealer.

 

[Davn]

Sounds like the solenoids are generally dodgy, mine's going in, in 2 weeks as it keeps telling me it's open when it's not?

 

[fleepfloop]

Happened to mine too when we are on low charge, at night, on a foreign road trip! Pried it open without damaging it, and it's not happened since... Was a cold night, so I'm looking forward to getting stranded at some point this winter.

 

[Burgo]

Yeah, mine is a little temperamental about where I press it, the catch is halfway down the rear edge and if I press it anywhere else it doesn't always open first time.

+1.

 

[Ian Key]

Happened to mine too when we are on low charge, at night, on a foreign road trip! Pried it open without damaging it, and it's not happened since... Was a cold night, so I'm looking forward to getting stranded at some point this winter.

Spray the locking mechanism and wipe the surrounding rubber seal with silicone. And while you are at it do the door rubbers too. It will prevent things freezing shut.

 

[Davn]

I've got a cover on the charging lead now keeps the weather out?