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Plug In Hybrid not charging- port issue? Forgive the newb...

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by CrunchyMusic, Nov 7, 2021.

  1. CrunchyMusic

    CrunchyMusic New Member

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    OK so... I've been digging thru the threads here and what a great source of information! Perhaps y'all can tell me what I have on my hands.
    Wife's plug in stopped charging suddenly. Checked it at a chargepoint and no dice- plug in light does not come on, does not charge. Checked out the pins and one of the grey tips appears to be missing from inside the port- the bottom middle large pin. Would this cause it to not charge? If so I guess I need a new port as I probably can't just replace the pin...

    20211107_164330.jpg
     
  2. Renopalle

    Renopalle New Member

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    Hi.
    Same happened to me. A tight charge handle pushed 2 pins in. A weak Pin holder broke.
    I fixad it with Superglue more than a year ago, all fine.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    78E9D290-DD12-43CC-91EA-69EEBA1E05E2.jpeg Not sure, but here’s my working port
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i can try again with a flashlight if it will be helpful
     
  5. CrunchyMusic

    CrunchyMusic New Member

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    well I don't know where the tip is- no clue where it went. If it's in the plug then I'll probably not be able to get it out. If this is the issue keeping it from charging do have to replace the entire port?
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sorry, i do not know. and i don't know what renopalle meant by 'pushed two pins in'.
     
  7. dbstoo

    dbstoo Senior Member

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    The grey cap is a clever way to keep someone from sticking a screwdriver in there and touching a live connector. It's just an insulator. It should not keep it from charging as long as the missing grey cap is not preventing the plug from seating properly in the socket.

    The smaller pins (labeled cp and cs) are low voltage control signals to pass the car's state to the EVSE.

    Dan
     
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  8. CrunchyMusic

    CrunchyMusic New Member

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    Well it's definitely not seating properly cause it will not charge. Tested it at a charge port and got nothing. Not sure if the pin head is still stuck inside. It was always tough to seat properly (stupid weather stripping ring) but that got fixed (rubber ring broke so I removed it) and it was all good for about a year til suddenly nothing. And that's the only thing I can find wrong.
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    shouldn't be too hard to replace. hopefully, just the four bolts, and reconnect the wires in back. check for salvage or ebay if the part is expensive
     
  10. Renopalle

    Renopalle New Member

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    Hi sorry been away.

    To get to the port remove inside of trunk and unclip the harness and unbolt intake from outside. PIN holder is of plastic and easily repaired.

    Probably you got it all sorted by now.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  11. CrunchyMusic

    CrunchyMusic New Member

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  12. CrunchyMusic

    CrunchyMusic New Member

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    I have found a replacement on ebay- trying to get it for less thatn $100. But want to be sure that's the problem before I do it. Anyone have any suggestions as how to test to be sure? Def want to avoid the dealership...
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    idk, you might find it in the service manual if you want to spend the 20 bucks.

    how much is a new unit?
     
  14. CrunchyMusic

    CrunchyMusic New Member

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    They are upwards of $100. plus the PITA of swapping it out. I'm going to go ahead and jump in if I can't find a service manual online.
     
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  15. CrunchyMusic

    CrunchyMusic New Member

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    ok so... tWaited patiently and finally found one on ebay for $50 with free shipping. So I have swapped them (using this info here) and have put it all back together. AND...

    No charge. So I'm out $50 and about an hour. Apparently it is not my port. Or else I have 2 bad ports. What are the odds?

    So... need to check my charging cable next. The light comes on when it's plugged in. And the vehicle didn't charge at an EVSE.

    Any other suggestions? I really don't want to go to the dealership...
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sorry to hear it, can you try a public charger?
     
  17. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    J1772 has several design problems despite being supposedly heavy duty

    If I designed the standard I would change the following
    1. More corrosion / moisture resistant pins
    A) Better seals / o-rings in and out of the body (some commercial EVSEs only have one surface sealed)
    2. Upsize and taper pins, especially signal pins which are microscopic and bend or push in if there is even the slightest drag or misalignment
    A) Make ground and power pins the same size to simplify parts sourcing and repair
    B) Make signal pins out of a strong stainless steel they should be nearly the same strength/ size as the power pins so they don’t smash like putty
    3. Require minimum wire Guage to be 12gage or larger regardless of the device rating
    A) Standardize the method commercial companies “crimp pins” so pinch style crimps that cause eventual breaks and failure are banned
    4. Design with materials that have a much higher temperature limit coupled with mandatory temperature sensors

    All my recommendations are based on being exposed to dozens of failed EVSEs with mostly the same repeated problems , some of the problems above are ones I personally encountered

    It’s sad when I see a device that I could have designed a better, more repairable and serviceable connection type
     
    #17 Rmay635703, Jan 15, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2022
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wow, that is surprising to me. i've been plugging in several times a day for almost 10 years with no issues and no noticeable wear and tear.
    and we don't see many evse/charge port issues here.
     
  19. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Are you using a level 2 charger indoors or a Level 1 outside during extreme weather?

    Level 2 EVSEs last forever in good weather

    Me personally am on my 3rd EVSE and 2nd port (I have had to straighten pins twice due to bad public chargers) I have also had to replace the 20amp
    L120volt outlet and the cord part of the EVSE twice.

    So I don’t have any need of Level 2 except that it would be more reliable.

    I have gone over / helped with repairs on a number of bad EVSEs, many failed L1 out there, especially in northern climates
     
    #19 Rmay635703, Jan 16, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2022
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i used the oem for 6 months, then someone built me an 'open evse' L2 for the garage.

    i used the oem for outdoor charging at work for a few years until i retired, then only the L2 in the garage since.
    the L2 plug has always been tight, but so far no damage. the trigger switch did break though, and i have it mickey moused with a switch taped to the handle :oops:
     
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