1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Can't Open The Charging Port Door! A New Years Tale

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by plow, Dec 27, 2016.

  1. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    don't ever recall reading about a problem. maybe they put it in because japan gets the 100v out?
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  2. Old Bear

    Old Bear Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2017
    712
    1,048
    20
    Location:
    Boston, Massachusetts USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Mrs. Bear did this on the first time she used a public charging station. She arrived home with the charging port lid open about a half inch and a warning message displayed. Pushing or pulling on the lid seemed to risk damaging something.

    Note that when the port cap is placed improperly in its storage position or allowed to dangle from its tether, it's possible to wedge the charging port lid in a semi-closed position if you try to close it by using excessive force.

    Fortunately, I had skimmed the printed manual and vaguely recalled seeing something about dealing with the charging port lid if it would not open normally:

    charging-port-lid-emergency-release.jpg

    This is really obscure, but something that's good to know. It could save you a needless trip to your dealership.

    Also, be aware than when the charging port lid is properly closed and the car is locked, the lid is also locked. Unlocking the car -- or just carrying the wireless electric key in your pocket -- will allow the charging port door to be opened.

    The user manual also notes "If the rear edge of the charging port lid is pressed when the doors are locked
    and you are not carrying the electric key, the charging port lid opens slightly, but remains locked. Carry the electronic key or unlock the doors, and then press the charging port lid twice to open it." I interpret this to mean that you press the lid once to get it fully closed and then a second time to open it normally.
     
  3. ml888

    ml888 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2017
    50
    29
    0
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Thanks for the post! I encountered that today and glad that I searched and found this post before trying to tinker with the door.
     
  4. Sara Jane Pasti

    Sara Jane Pasti Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2018
    1
    2
    0
    Location:
    Kingston, NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    I found your post today when I was shoveling snow and mistakenly shut the port lid with the cap in the holder, not in the plug-in slot. Somehow the lid shut, bit not all the way and it could not be reopened from the outside. I found the solution on p. 116, just as you said, and it worked!!
     
    huskers and bisco like this.
  5. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2005
    2,542
    2,485
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Is he allowed to use the "S" word this early?
     
  6. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    10,958
    8,836
    0
    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Had to get out my snow blower yesterday. Was only 4-5 inches, but heavy enough I needed small engine help. sigh
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  7. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2009
    5,850
    4,017
    0
    Location:
    Westminster, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Early? I'm sick and tired of climate change. Last year I didn't use the snow blower even once. This year the same. I used to use it around 3 times by now.
     
  8. barbaram

    barbaram Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2006
    911
    70
    9
    Location:
    Trenton, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I just drove it and so I had my key. Wouldn’t open. One time I tried to close the charger door with the plug left in the holding station and it would not close. I’ll have to try the emergency release later. Is it possible it might be frozen? Extra cold this morning! Had a train to catch so there was not enough time .... :-(
     
  9. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    10,958
    8,836
    0
    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    If you had a key with you, and you did not jam the cap on holding position, ice built-up frozen shot might be a possibility. If that is the case, it should melt by afternoon in your local. Wouldn't day time high be above freezing?
     
  10. barbaram

    barbaram Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2006
    911
    70
    9
    Location:
    Trenton, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Temp daytime will hover around freezing but I hunk it will be in the sun. I’ll find out about 3 pm.... otherwise I have the emergency instructions now thanks to all the experts here.
     
    Salamander_King likes this.
  11. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    10,958
    8,836
    0
    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Good luck! Let us know how it goes, and what was causing it if you find out.
     
  12. barbaram

    barbaram Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2006
    911
    70
    9
    Location:
    Trenton, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    No problem this afternoon, it opened right up! No real sign of any moisture either. Cap in correct position. Perhaps just old Mercury shaking his fist at me? Hopefully it not happen again. There was a Tesla there that didn’t plug in, guess I should have moved when I couldn’t get it connected. Not many charging slots.
     
    Salamander_King likes this.