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2012 PIP Charge Plug Tight

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by ukr2, Feb 2, 2014.

  1. ukr2

    ukr2 Senior Member

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    We had a few days below Zero the last month. Now the last 2 weeks it is hard to push the charge cable Plug into the car. No matter if you hold the release or just push until it clicks in, it's Hard to get it to connect.

    I can not see anything in the way or out of the ordinary. It used to be very easy to connect.

    Anyone else have this problem.
     
    #1 ukr2, Feb 2, 2014
  2. DadofHedgehog

    DadofHedgehog Active Member

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    I noticed something similar. Must be the recent cold snap and how it affects plastics.
     
    #2 DadofHedgehog, Feb 2, 2014
  3. ukr2

    ukr2 Senior Member

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    Sorry, Just noticed another Thread was already started.

    I'll check the O-ring in the plug and re-seat or remove it.
     
    #3 ukr2, Feb 2, 2014
  4. gallde

    gallde Active Member

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    If nothing else, try a bit of WD-40 on the mating parts.
     
    #4 gallde, Feb 3, 2014
  5. Michael33

    Michael33 Member

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    WD-40 is a solvent, and will eat plastic. Use a silicone grease, for example dialectric grease.
     
    #5 Michael33, Feb 3, 2014
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is it the stock unit or aftermarket? i haven't had any problem, but the coldest i've charged in is about 15 degrees.
     
    #6 bisco, Feb 3, 2014
  7. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Better would be a silicone or teflon spray that goes on dry. Any grease (or an oil like wd-40) will attract dirt and eventually make the problem worse. I get silicone spray cans for about $4 at my local auto parts store to periodically lubricate the door seals to stop squeaks. I use a dry teflon lube on my motorcycle chain.
     
    #7 fotomoto, Feb 3, 2014
  8. ukr2

    ukr2 Senior Member

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    Removing the O-ring in the handle FIXED the problem of pushing the charge cable into the PIP.
     
    #8 ukr2, Feb 3, 2014
  9. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    Seems like this is becoming an issue with the "older" ie 2012 PIP's.
    Since I removed my O-ring two weeks ago- my handle has locked into the car's charge port easily again.
     
    #9 ny_rob, Feb 4, 2014
  10. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    No problem here, so far anyway.
     
    #10 retired4999, Feb 4, 2014
  11. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    FWIW- I charge with the OEM EVSE once per day every weekday and maybe up to 3-4times per day on weekends.
    That amounts to 12x per week (x68 weeks I've owned the PIP= 816 uses) for the OEM EVSE.
     
    #11 ny_rob, Feb 4, 2014
  12. ukr2

    ukr2 Senior Member

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    Since March 14, 2012, I plug-in once every day at home and twice at work every workday. 365 x 2 years less 37 days = 693 times at home and 2 x 495 workdays = 990 times at work

    So I've plugged my PIP in 1,683 times.

    The O-ring started causing the problem 3 weeks ago when temp dropped below zero. Doesn't look like it has a purpose, except to cushion the pushing in of the cable.
     
    #12 ukr2, Feb 4, 2014
  13. Michael33

    Michael33 Member

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    I imagine it's a rain seal.
     
    #13 Michael33, Feb 4, 2014
  14. ukr2

    ukr2 Senior Member

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    I don't think so. The ring is in the bottom of the Handle, which is angled down when plugged in. So water wouldn't reach the ring.
     
    #14 ukr2, Feb 4, 2014
  15. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    Like ukr2 said- "The ring is in the bottom of the Handle, which is angled down when plugged in" which makes it the highest point when actually plugged in. I'm guessing it's a moisture/splash seal of some sort?
    ​
     
    #15 ny_rob, Feb 4, 2014
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