[friendlynerd]

This problem just started - I initially thought my L2 charger broke again because I found it clicking and the amber light on the car's charge indicator. Opened the car and had "unable to charge" message and a CEL when I started driving. When I got home I checked voltage on the 12V battery, all good. I disconnected it for a couple minutes which did clear the CEL but the car still won't charge.

When I plug in the L2 or L1 charger (I've now tried both) it seems like it's failing at the handshake. The charger keeps clicking and the car keeps trying to establish a connection. It eventually stops but then starts trying to handshake again in a minute or two. It will occasionally get a green light on the dash and the horn chirp, but within about 30 seconds it stops charging and starts trying to handshake again.

It's a 2012 with 73k miles so I think my Voltec is over just based on age. The charge port seems like a likely culprit here, what do folks think? Replacing it seems quite easy to attempt myself and it's not an expensive part at least.

 

[leppard3]

Has it rained recently where you are? I did replace the charge port on my 2011, super easy. See if you can ee any cracks on the charge port but I wouldn't say it's the charge port for certain.

 

[JuneBug]

Yeah, the charge port was the first thing that came to mind when I read the symptoms. It's a fairly cheap part and easy to replace. I would start there.

 

[friendlynerd]

Has it rained recently where you are? I did replace the charge port on my 2011, super easy. See if you can ee any cracks on the charge port but I wouldn't say it's the charge port for certain.

It hasn't rained in a while, no. But the heat has been extreme. When you did the charge port on yours did you pull the high voltage battery disconnect first?

 

[friendlynerd]

Yeah, the charge port was the first thing that came to mind when I read the symptoms. It's a fairly cheap part and easy to replace. I would start there.

Thank you! I ordered the part. I think I'd rather spend the $90 trying this than whatever the dealer will charge just to say hello. I also ordered a code reader so I can chase down what the check engine light is telling me.

 

[leppard3]

It hasn't rained in a while, no. But the heat has been extreme. When you did the charge port on yours did you pull the high voltage battery disconnect first?

I DID NOT pull the disconnect. Make sure you find the youtube video, very helpful. I think you need a torx 10 bit, but I am not certain.

 

[friendlynerd]

Success!! I just changed out the port and I'm charging again. The old one had hairline cracks all over the back and when I disconnected the orange power connector water actually fell out.

If anyone's thinking about trying this, note that the bolts are in there incredibly tight and of course the head stripped out of the last bolt for me. I had to use a vice-grip to very, very slowly get it out. The new part was super easy to install.

 

[jayoldschool]

Good work! I think this will become more common for first gens as they age out of warranty. Mine was done on my ELR right after I bought it, and gave it the first driveway wash. No charge... (car and at the dealer, lol)