Charge port door opening in Car Wash - Looking for j-1772 cap

[KDF150]

My last two trips to my local automated car wash ended up with the jets having enough pressure to pop open the charge door.

It would not be a huge deal if it was warm outside, I could simply let it dry up. But I live in Quebec Canada where for weeks temperatures are -15C to -20C well below freezing.

Since my vehicle stays parked outside (I don’t have access to heated garage) the water stays frozen in the charge port therefore preventing me to insert the cable to charge the truck.

Any of you having similar challenges ?
- are you able to secure the charge port door so it doesn’t open under water pressure
- did any of you know of a J-1772 (the DC section has its own flap) charging plug cap to prevent water ingress if the door gets opened during wash ?

Sponsored

 

[PA Lightning]

Below is a pic of some covers, but I do not think I would use a car wash that causes your charge door to pop open

 

[RickLightning]

A piece of blue painter's tape solves the problem.

 

[hb.sagen]

Or jam a rubber thingy in the door, so its not able to be pushed in and unlocked.

 

[Al_V]

Or jam a rubber thingy in the door, so its not able to be pushed in and unlocked.

Can you be a little more detailed on this solution?
Photos would be great.
I have never taken my truck to a carwash because I'm afraid the charge door will open and then get broken off.

 

[TaxmanHog]

I'm impatiently waiting for spring thaw, then my Lightning will get its next wash.

 

[RLXXI]

Never had the door pop open in a wash before, new fear unlocked.

 

[Kickinback]

Never had the door pop open in a wash before, new fear unlocked.

 

[Heliian]

Meh, probably wouldn't hurt to clean out the port.

Use propower onboard and a hair dryer to thaw and dry it.

 

[hb.sagen]

Can you be a little more detailed on this solution?
Photos would be great.
I have never taken my truck to a carwash because I'm afraid the charge door will open and then get broken off.

 

[Al_V]

Thanks @hb.sagen! looks like that will stop pressure from opening the door, and then you can pull it out when finished. Simple solutions are the best!

 

[KDF150]

Below is a pic of some covers, but I do not think I would use a car wash that causes your charge door to pop open

Yes I did find a few plugs on Amazon too. Looking forward to seeing if it does the trick. I’ve been going to the same car wash for years without issues with my lightning. Only the last two visits were problematic.

I wonder if there is some wear and tear on the locking mechanism making them easier to pop open, although 8 don’t really feel the difference when opening manually…

Or maybe it’s just the cold. But yeah not ideal for sure…

If the charge door would lock when locking the truck, it could be a good design idea… admittedly this combination of factors could be so specific that it might not be worth the R&D and implementation cost…

 

[KDF150]

A piece of blue painter's tape solves the problem.

Yeah, I am indeed considering options I could perform just before entering the carwash. I’d prefer a cleaner / more permanent setup. Not sure how secure tape would be in this cold weather, but certainly worth the try.

 

[KDF150]

Never had the door pop open in a wash before, new fear unlocked.

Yeah it’s a new thing for me too. Been visiting this carwash for years with my lightning without issues. Only the last two trips were problematic. Wonder if it’s wear and tear on the spring or they upped the pressure on their nozzles…

 

[Henry Ford]

Yeah it’s a new thing for me too. Been visiting this carwash for years with my lightning without issues. Only the last two trips were problematic. Wonder if it’s wear and tear on the spring or they upped the pressure on their nozzles…

The amount of pressure required to open my charge port door makes me think there is something else going on with yours other than pressure from the car wash. It takes a firm press with my palm to open mine.

Speculation: there's ice jammed in the latch preventing it from seating completely.

Sponsored