[DougGM]

Just had our 2017 serviced. It appears they updated the computer software and it has a bug. The software in the Volt is programmed to charge at the off-peak hours. Several times since the car was serviced we've found the Volt charging during peak hours, which is $0.45 kWhr for where I live in California. When this happens we are paying $12-$15 per charge instead of the $3.00.

When we look at the charge time settings we see the setting has "magically" changed to charge immediately. We then change the setting to charge at the lowest rate only to find a few days latter he setting has "magically" changed to charge immediately.

Anyone else finding this software bug in their 2017 Volt?

 

[wordptom]

Are you using Location Based Charging (which expires and needs to be reset every 90 days) to assign a "Home" location to where you want to use delayed charging? If so, note that the car can be very fussy about parking in the very same spot each time. Some who have set the Home location while parked in the driveway drove into the garage the following day, and the computer didn’t recognize it as being "Home." One person drove straight into the garage one day and set the Home location. The next day the Volt was backed into the garage and didn’t know it was "Home" (that might also have been because by backing into the garage, the physical structure of the building was blocking the GPS signals).

Is it possible that when your settings have "magically" changed, you’re actually parking in a slightly different spot than where you were parked the previous day?

 

[Neromanceres]

Is it possible that when your settings have "magically" changed, you’re actually parking in a slightly different spot than where you were parked the previous day?

Good comments. Though I have found that location based charging isn't that sensitive to location. My car changes it's location based settings within a block of my house.

 

[VoltenRock]

Are you using Location Based Charging (which expires and needs to be reset every 90 days) to assign a "Home" location to where you want to use delayed charging? If so, note that the car can be very fussy about parking in the very same spot each time. Some who have set the Home location while parked in the driveway drove into the garage the following day, and the computer didn’t recognize it as being "Home." One person drove straight into the garage one day and set the Home location. The next day the Volt was backed into the garage and didn’t know it was "Home" (that might also have been because by backing into the garage, the physical structure of the building was blocking the GPS signals).

Is it possible that when your settings have "magically" changed, you’re actually parking in a slightly different spot than where you were parked the previous day?

Good point--you probably need to have the system relearn your home location and charging preferences again.

 

[jcanoe]

It could also be a bad connection in your charging connector or charging port. If you plug in the connector twice quickly this will override delayed charging and begin charging immediately. Maybe your Volt is sensing that you are plugging in 2X.

 

[etz]

I’ve had my software re-installed twice so far. Each time a bunch of settings got reset back to the factory default. Just go through all your menus and fix them to your liking

 

[Arcanox]

Any software update will reset settings...I learned this the hard way when I unplugged my charger the day after a service visit without unlocking the car and almost scared myself to death when the alarm went off in my face.

 

[DougGM]

Thanks all. I think I may have found what the issue was in reviewing all of the settings. I think the car's computer just flipped to Winter rates. And I think think one of the peak times was designated as off peak. I just went through all of the settings and confirmed everything is set correctly.

Big thanks to the people who told me about location based charging. Never knew that feature existed. It's set now.
And never knew about the 2X of the charging plug = charge now.

Both of these are wonderful features. Since I've had the car every time I use a charging station I've been going into the computer to over-ride charge settings. (Which is a pain.) It appear a 2X press on the button on the charger wand does the same thing and it's far easier.

I have to give GM a +1 for having all of the "right" features to make charging easier.

FYI - Our power company here in California has a new rate plan where there are times when peak rate is $0.85 kWhr, (yes almost a $1 per kWhr).

 

[turnbowm]

Thanks all. I think I may have found what the issue was in reviewing all of the settings. I think the car's computer just flipped to Winter rates. And I think think one of the peak times was designated as off peak. I just went through all of the settings and confirmed everything is set correctly.

Big thanks to the people who told me about location based charging. Never knew that feature existed. It's set now.
And never knew about the 2X of the charging plug = charge now.

Both of these are wonderful features. Since I've had the car every time I use a charging station I've been going into the computer to over-ride charge settings. (Which is a pain.) It appear a 2X press on the button on the charger wand does the same thing and it's far easier.

I have to give GM a +1 for having all of the "right" features to make charging easier.

FYI - Our power company here in California has a new rate plan where there are times when peak rate is $0.85 kWhr, (yes almost a $1 per kWhr).

On our 2015 Volt, you can also start charging immediately on a programmed delay charge by simply pressing the keyfob button that looks like an electrical plug.

 

[DougGM]

On our 2015 Volt, you can also start charging immediately on a programmed delay charge by simply pressing the keyfob button that looks like an electrical plug.

Not sure the 2017 has a that on the keyfob.

 

[NickHark]

I’ve had my software re-installed twice so far. Each time a bunch of settings got reset back to the factory default. Just go through all your menus and fix them to your liking

This is the way I fixed the same issue when I had an update.

Driving home, I nearly rear-ended some guy poking along because my front cameras weren't engaged. Had to reboot Cruise Control and the system was happy again.