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Help! My 2013 Plug-in does not charge when plugged in

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by N.J.PRIUS, Apr 6, 2017.

  1. N.J.PRIUS

    N.J.PRIUS Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    My 2013 Prius Plug-in Advanced does not charge any longer. I principally charge at "chargepoint." Up until recently the 1st 2 hours were free! It takes approximately 1.5 hours to be fully charged.

    When I went to "chargepoint" to charge, I thought it might have been my account. I called everything is o.k. So I know it is not my account.

    The last time I charged up the battery was at "chargepoint" and everything worked like it should. When I plug in now, the charging lite does not come on.

    When I go down a large hill to work on my 3.5 mile commute, the system will charge up to 1.5 miles using regenerative braking. Therefore the hybrid battery system seems to be working.

    I have approximately 42,000 miles on my Prius. I am planning on going to Toyota in a week or so for an oil change and will have them diagnose this problem.

    My fear is that something is wrong with a component in the charging system. Another member on this board had a similar issue and was charged over $1,000 to have it resolved.

    Is there something I may have overlooked? If the issue is with the charging system, what is to prevent this from happening again?

    Thank you in advance for any thoughts on this subject.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do you have the oem evse to try?
     
  3. KCobby

    KCobby Member

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    My question too...and if you charge at home does it still fail?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    N.J.PRIUS and priuscatprimeguy like this.
  4. QuantumFireball

    QuantumFireball Active Member

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    I've heard of firmware updates on public chargers breaking support for certain vehicles in the past, so I think it would be worth your while trying your portable EVSE at home (if possible) or another completely different public charger (i.e. different manufacturer/model).
     
    N.J.PRIUS likes this.
  5. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Had you changed any charging settings in the vehicle, like probably "timer"....by mistake?
    make sure is set-up for charging now..
     
    #5 mrbigh, Apr 7, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2017
    N.J.PRIUS likes this.
  6. Pasaman

    Pasaman Active Member

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    My money would be on the charger you tried using. Agree with the others to try using the charger at home.
     
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  7. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

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    Plug-in Base
    Unless the other person's car was over 100k miles (or 150k miles in a CARB state), it should've been covered under warranty:

    Source: Toyota Introduces 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid


    Side note: I see here the cable/EVSE is only covered under the 3 year/36k miles.. thats disappointing since thats what pretty much makes a Prius Plug-In a plug-in.
     
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    your turn o/p.:)
     
    N.J.PRIUS likes this.
  9. N.J.PRIUS

    N.J.PRIUS Member

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    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Thanks for all of the replies! Much appreciated.

    I tried plugging in with regular outlet to charge and light did not come on showing charging. Previously had been charging at business with standard outlet. All was well using standard outlet and supplied EVSE cord.

    The last time I was at "Chargepoint" before trouble, plugged in and light came on for 1 second then went out. Again, thought it had to do with my account. Then tried regular outlet as a test using supplied EVSE cord and it would not come on.

    Will check settings on "timer" to ensure I haven't done something to prohibit charging. I am relieved that Toyota considers the charge control computer covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles.

    As I had written, I am intending to take my plug-in within the next 2 weeks to have the oil changed at Toyota and will have to diagnose this issue if in the meantime I can't find out what I am doing wrong.

    Will try everyone's suggestions and will report back. Thank you again for the support!
     
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  10. Samprocat

    Samprocat Active Member

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    With my Prius Prime i have run already on multiple chargepoint places that are defective...if you are familiar with electric that easy to diagnose....
    Try with one that comes with a car
    Check EVSE inlet on the car for any debris.. Cracks....burn out on prongs
    If there is issues with car charger you should have yellow light on

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    N.J.PRIUS likes this.
  11. N.J.PRIUS

    N.J.PRIUS Member

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    Plug-in Advanced
    No yellow light on.
     
  12. N.J.PRIUS

    N.J.PRIUS Member

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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Finally found the time to take vehicle to Toyota Service Center. I told them the problem and they came back and said
    everything worked just as it should. They tested with my EVSE cord. Therefore must have been something at Chargepoint with software as Samprocat had suggested.

    After thinking about it some more, there was a change of policy at the particular Chargepoint location I had been going to. They allowed 1st 2 hours free. It takes approximately 1hr 45 min. to fully charge from empty. Now they are charging from initial plug-in. I will call Chargepoint to determine if and why I can't charge. I know my account with Chargepoint is in good standing as they were quick to charge my credit card with an initial deposit. Thank you for all of your suggestions.
     
  13. giora

    giora Senior Member

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    ???
    Did they fix something in the connector/inlet area?
     
    #13 giora, Jun 4, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2017
  14. N.J.PRIUS

    N.J.PRIUS Member

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    Plug-in Advanced
    They said no. I was relieved. As one of the other members wrote, it was probably a software glitch at Chargepoint.
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  15. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    That sounds like good news to me! (y)
     
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  16. Gamermama66

    Gamermama66 Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Advanced

    So my 2012 PIP stopped on the freeway due to that recall issue and got it back not charging. Pushed the issue that charging wasn't a problem prior to having my car at the dealership and they said it was the charging receiver pins being pushed in but they would fix. A couple of months later, same issue. Had no problems charging for 6 years prior but Toyota service said they would no longer warranty the same problem. I believe it's a parts quality issue. Like stated previously, no problems charging for 6 years with the same level 2 charger (Juicebox) but all of a sudden, now I'm having a problem? I have 2 other plug-ins with no issues. If anyone finds a Toyota person that says its a known issue, please post.
     
  17. SmwPrius

    SmwPrius New Member

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    2014 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    My 2014 recently stopped charging. My mechanic noticed that one of the pins was bent and straightened it with a flat head in a few minutes. Works now.
    I fully expect to replace that component in the next few months.
     
  18. SlidingBike

    SlidingBike Active Member

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    Also One more idea is to use Hybrid Assistant app (android) and dump all the EV logs and check if there is something found in them.
    Do this after exhausting all Physical issues (like the bent pin, fuse failure etc) were verified.
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    anyone notice posts # 2,9 and 12? is it just me?:confused:
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  20. firstk75

    firstk75 New Member

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    Plug-in Advanced
    I took my 2012 into the dealership to have the recalls done on the airbags and the power fuse. When I got it back it refused to charge. I took it back to the dealer and he reset the system and it charged properly for several weeks. Yesterday it stopped charging again. When it fails to charge, the yellow charge light doesn't come on and the led door light stays on. I also smelled warm electrics near the car. Is there some type of cooling fan or similar thing that might have failed?
    The car has 155k miles and is a fantastic car. This is my first failure of any kind.
     
    bisco likes this.