Frozen Charger Door

[tate16t]

Has anyone experienced a frozen charger door? I had this happen just now. I assumed it was frozen shut because when I pressed the button to open the door it tried to open and I could hear what sounded like ice cracking. I tapped the door lightly in an effort to loosen up some of the ice and this worked. I’m just wondering if others experienced this.

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[QuadMonster]

I recently had issues when it got really cold outside and the door wouldn't open, I ended up hitting the charging door a few times with my fist and using the on screen button to release. I've had to do that a few times now.

 

[Thedude]

Just like any other door, if moisture freezes around the edge you’re going to have to work a little harder to open it. Mine used to do it all the time in the winter, nothing a little tapping or a run around the edge with the scraper didn’t fix.

 

[tate16t]

I used Gummi Pflege on my Tesla. This conditions the rubber seal. This is a remedy promoted on the Tesla forums. Tesla’s had problems with doors freezing and this worked somewhat until Telsa introduced an option to unlatch the door on cold mornings. I’m wondering if Gummi Pflege might help in this case. My charger door did not have ice build up visible around the outside. I assume there’s a rubber gasket around the inner door where Gummi Pflege may help.

 

[Krhockey]

Has anyone experienced a frozen charger door? I had this happen just now. I assumed it was frozen shut because when I pressed the button to open the door it tried to open and I could hear what sounded like ice cracking. I tapped the door lightly in an effort to loosen up some of the ice and this worked. I’m just wondering if others experienced this.

Yes. Frozen solid. Was not water in the door itself. Water got into the door spindle. Used a hair dryer to get in behind the door to heat the area. Thankfully the vehicle was at my home. After that I carried a hair dryer and extension cord with me.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

One of the downsides to a motorized charge port door. This happens on Tesla as well though their charge port door is much smaller.

Hair dryer idea is a good one...just make sure its not on too high of a heat setting.

 

[Riviot]

Try turning on the heat in the truck and waiting 5 minutes. I'm pretty sure air is piped to it, like the door handles, to prevent water buildup and icing.

 

[Ceejay]

just happened to me... yes was occasionally a problem with my Tesla... I should have known as yesterday was 0C and so lots of moisture that froze up last night

 

[tate16t]

One of the downsides to a motorized charge port door. This happens on Tesla as well though their charge port door is much smaller.

Hair dryer idea is a good one...just make sure its not on too high of a heat setting.

This was a big problem with Tesla driver doors until they implemented a feature in the mobile app that lets you remotely “pop” (unlatch) the driver’s door when the door handles are frozen and won’t open normally. It works pretty well.

 

[Supratachophobia]

Only semi-related to the topic, but OG Model S door handles when they got frozen over; it was so satisfying to see them break out like the Incredible Hulk the few times they were iced over.

 

[Ceejay]

just happened to me... yes was occasionally a problem with my Tesla... I should have known as yesterday was 0C and so lots of moisture that froze up last night

and 25 mins of vehicle warming and hitting and pulling on the charge port door has not helped... haven't tried warm air as I have PPF on the charge port door and panels around it. Still below freezing ambient temps, but I'll trust the charge port door will open when I drive later today into above freezing temps

 

[iansriv]

I dont have that problem as it was 86 degrees yesterday. I always wonder why Rivian didnt make the door a manual one like ICE cars. I dont get too excited seeing my R1 doing the transformer thing. Stay warm.

 

[Ceejay]

thanks, cheers

happy holidays from a chillier and snowier clime

 

[Ceejay]

By the way, instead of waiting for the temperature to rise, i managed to get the charge port for open using a heat gun on low, banging a lot on the door and pulling what I could with my finger tips, and having the interior heat on for a while. The door only opened a bit at first so I opened and closed multiple times... seems the cylinder like arm that holds the door was also frozen
Ya I wish vehicle designers would just make such things mechanical and simple

 

[dfx]

I was hit by an ice storm in W Nebraska last year midway into a 1400 mile trip and couldn't charge due to this. Luckily it was daytime and I was able to buy a cheap hair dryer and an extension cord at a supermarket. I now keep them in the storage compartment as an essential item for winter emergencies.

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