Frozen charging door

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wplate

Active member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
29
Help! The charging door on my FFE appears to be frozen shut, it won't open!

Here's a video demonstrating the problem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55shuWn4uN8

Anyone else seen this?
 
The frost melted from the door but it was still stuck, but later the left side of the car sat directly facing the sun and then it finally released itself. Apparently moisture got behind the door and froze it shut from the inside. I guess I'll try harder to keep the car in the garage.
 
I don't know if my charging door is freezing, but it does stick in both open and shut positions from time to time in our cold dry climate with no outward signs of frost on the autobody. My EVSE's standard 240V charging plug on one occasion has also refused to release for removal, but I was eventually able to free it by pushing it all the way back in and then re-releasing the latch. Any other hints?
 
The last few times my car was out in the rain /snow . the charger door refused to open. I contacted my local snow plowing guy and explained the issue and he recommended this product that they use to keep switches and valves from freezing up, and snow from sticking to equipment , so far, works great... The link below is for home depot , but I've found it other places as well.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ariens-Non-stick-Polymer-Coating-70709000/204494302
 
An idea that occurs to me is to cover your charge door with an appropriately size piece of magnetic hobby sheeting from an office supply store or a craft store like Michaels. Cut yourself a nice, oversized pattern of your choice and apply it over the charge door when you park it for the day.

http://www.michaels.com/pro-mag-magnetic-vinyl-sheet/10299463.html#q=magnetic+sheet&start=4

or this

http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Products/Crafts-%26-Scrapbooking/Magnet-Sheets/Magnet-Sheets_53208.htm?N=4294967233&Ns=&refchannel=36cb1828c503a110VgnVCM1000002118140aRCRD
 
I would imagine a silicon lube would do the trick too. Haven't had this problem yet myself but I usually park in a nice warm garage.
 
Max said:
The last few times my car was out in the rain /snow . the charger door refused to open. I contacted my local snow plowing guy and explained the issue and he recommended this product that they use to keep switches and valves from freezing up, and snow from sticking to equipment , so far, works great...

Thank you for the suggestion. I ordered something similar through Amazon. When it arrives I'll reply here with the results.
 
I am having this problem with my 2016 FFE. Since I am in Canada this isn't just a once and a while thing. Did anyone find a good solution?
 
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