Unable to open charge port

[shabbstar]

I have a Tesla model s 2013 and my went down to 0% since it was off for 3 months, when I open the charge port it opens but I am not able unlock the charge port either by the screen or by the app.

What’s the solution?

 

[KalJoMoS]

If your HV battery is at 0% then you need first to power on the 12V side of the car as this will allow the computer to function properly and will allow to unlatch the charge port.

 

[ATPMSD]

The reason it will not open is once the HV battery got to 0% it stopped charging the 12v battery, which is now also dead. Search YouTube for your model and year for how to power the 12v battery.

 

[shabbstar]

Yes I have installed a brand new 12v battery, the screen and everything is working but the charging port just won’t unlock. I am able to open the charging port from the screen just fine.

 

[mongo]

Yes I have installed a brand new 12v battery, the screen and everything is working but the charging port just won’t unlock. I am able to open the charging port from the screen just fine.

Have you tried cycling the manual release in case the mechanism is stuck?

Manually Releasing Charge Cable If the usual methods for releasing a charge cable from the charge port (using the charge handle release button, touchscreen, or mobile app) do not work, try pressing and holding down the rear trunk button on the key fob for 1-2 seconds. If it still doesn't release, carefully follow these steps: Ensure that Model S is not actively charging by displaying the charging screen on the touchscreen. If necessary, touch Stop Charging.
Open the rear trunk.
Open the flap on the left side of the trunk side trim. flap on the trunk side trim removed.
Press and hold the charge port's manual release lever towards the front of the vehicle to unlatch the charge cable.

https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/...UID-BEE08D47-0CE0-4BDD-83F2-9854FB3D578F.html

 

[shabbstar]

Mine doesn’t seem to have a manual charging port lever, I have looked everywhere, there is no latch.

 

[mongo]

Mine doesn’t seem to have a manual charging port lever, I have looked everywhere, there is no latch.

Might be behind the trunk liner? May be a pull cord?

 

[KalJoMoS]

This is the lever that I have, but it’s EU version and from 2016, gen.2 port

And on the previous photo it’s the cover that seems to be removed, revealing the place where to look

 

[shabbstar]

Nothing found so far, I have looked behind the trunk liner as well.

 

[Gtech]

Nothing found so far, I have looked behind the trunk liner as well.

Which color is the light from your charge port indicating when the latch is open?

Did you checked service mode for errors?

 

[shabbstar]

There is no light, as you can see i have to capture the snapshot for what I see looking for the latch.

 

[mongo]

There is no light, as you can see i have to capture the snapshot for what I see looking for the latch.

Huh, what does it look like above the orange part?
This is what three other videos show (obviously a different part version)

 

[ATPMSD]

Yes I have installed a brand new 12v battery, the screen and everything is working but the charging port just won’t unlock. I am able to open the charging port from the screen just fine.

If I understand you correctly, there is no problem opening the port, the problem is the “plug” will not lock into the “socket” on the car? That fact that you do not see a white light is certainly a problem. Pretty sure this light will not come on if the key is absent. Try using your key to lock, then unlock your car. Make sure the windows are open, just in case!

If this does not work I suggest trying a deep reboot of the car. To do this, go to the menu Controls > Service > Wheel & Tire > Wheels and change the wheel size - the car will reboot. Then change it back, the car will reboot again.

 

[mongo]

If I understand you correctly, there is no problem opening the port, the problem is the “plug” will not lock into the “socket” on the car? That fact that you do not see a white light is certainly a problem. Pretty sure this light will not come on if the key is absent. Try using your key to lock, then unlock your car. Make sure the windows are open, just in case!

If this does not work I suggest trying a deep reboot of the car. To do this, go to the menu Controls > Service > Wheel & Tire > Wheels and change the wheel size - the car will reboot. Then change it back, the car will reboot again.

Is the lock pin ramped so that a charge connector can be inserted but not removed? If so, it would be a mechanical issue.

The unlock charge port button on the app should visibly actuate the lock pin.

 

[shabbstar]

Is the lock pin ramped so that a charge connector can be inserted but not removed? If so, it would be a mechanical issue.

The unlock charge port button on the app should visibly actuate the lock pin.

Pins are good, just double checked. I will try rebooting the car and see if that changes anything.

 

[mongo]

Pins are good, just double checked. I will try rebooting the car and see if that changes anything.

Ah, good to check for broken insulators.
Do you see/ hear anything when selecting unlock port?

 

[dregdoba]

Maybe try calling Tesla roadside assistance? Would be curious to hear what the resolution to this is. Good luck!

 

[mongo]

Ah. This version takes some work to manually release.
Charge Port - Single Phase - Non-Motorized - Manual Release of Cable

 

[Penguin]

My 2013 P85 just started doing the same thing. Door opens, but that little pawl at the bottom of the charging port isn’t moving so I can’t plug in the charging cable. And I suppose if I did, but shoving the pawl out of the way with a thin shim, I would then never be able to remove it. Old version of the door - no mechanical release lever available until you disconnect HV cables and all, something I don’t want to broach. Service is quoting $85 part, plus $180 more labor to put it in, plus $250 additional for diagnostics (to prove that the new part is needed?) I’ll see if I can avoid the diagnostics and just put in the new port.

Some interesting strangeness: In the days before it failed, the charging LED ring would be one-half white (right hand and upper), one-quarter blue (bottom) and one-quarter green (left). I tried searching for what this Easter-egg meant but could not find anything. Must be some sort of fault indicator. I can replicate it now with the unlatching port by pushing down on the pawl.

 

[Sandman1847]

My 2013 P85 just started doing the same thing. Door opens, but that little pawl at the bottom of the charging port isn’t moving so I can’t plug in the charging cable. And I suppose if I did, but shoving the pawl out of the way with a thin shim, I would then never be able to remove it. Old version of the door - no mechanical release lever available until you disconnect HV cables and all, something I don’t want to broach. Service is quoting $85 part, plus $180 more labor to put it in, plus $250 additional for diagnostics (to prove that the new part is needed?) I’ll see if I can avoid the diagnostics and just put in the new port.

Some interesting strangeness: In the days before it failed, the charging LED ring would be one-half white (right hand and upper), one-quarter blue (bottom) and one-quarter green (left). I tried searching for what this Easter-egg meant but could not find anything. Must be some sort of fault indicator. I can replicate it now with the unlatching port by pushing down on the pawl.

My model X is doing the exact same thing. Are you going to replace the door or the port or both?