2Bolts
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2021 6:49 pm

DCFC Solenoid Activation

We have a 2019 Bolt with the DCFC option; when using a level 3 charger there is a solenoid that will latch in the charging cable once the DC starts flowing this is to prevent the charge plug from being removed while it is charging. The problem we are having is the bar that the solenoid moves into place to prevent the removal has moved over on it's own preventing the level 2 charge plug from being inserted so we cannot charge the car at all. We have not used a DCFC in more than two years so there is no reason for the bar to have moved. Trying to push it back does not work.

Has anyone had this problem?
SparkE
Moderator
Posts: 1189
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2016 5:53 am
Location: SF Bay Area

Re: DCFC Solenoid Activation

Bring it to a dealer ASAP - it should be covered under warranty (since it is a 2019, hopefully you bought it after May 2019).

At any rate, it seems that the charging socket is part of the "charging system", and should have an 8-year, 100K-mile warranty.
2Bolts
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2021 6:49 pm

Re: DCFC Solenoid Activation

The car is 37 months old, so the warranty is over.

I have since found out that it appears to be a software bug in the patch software that limits the charge to 80% while waiting for a new battery. I removed the negative terminal from the 12-volt battery and waited a few minutes and re-installed it. The bar returned to it's retracted position. The new battery is on order for this car so the problem should go aways when they update the software again.
SparkE
Moderator
Posts: 1189
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2016 5:53 am
Location: SF Bay Area

Re: DCFC Solenoid Activation

I don't think that the warranty is over.

the charging socket is part of the "charging system", and should have an 8-year, 100K-mile warranty, not the 36-month warranty for everything else.
cwerdna
Posts: 108
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2019 10:20 am
Location: SF Bay Area

Re: DCFC Solenoid Activation

Yes, it's a bug.

See https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/ ... 0-9999.pdf PIC6452B and https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/ ... 7-9999.pdf PIC6452A from https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/CHEV ... unications.

There are several long running threads at chevybolt.org on this like https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/charg ... ble.42148/. It shouldn't affect Bolts WITHOUT DC FC inlet since those cars won't have that locking tab which is only supposed to activate when DC FCing.
BoltEV
Posts: 441
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2018 5:58 am

Re: DCFC Solenoid Activation

cwerdna wrote: Tue May 31, 2022 12:17 amIt shouldn't affect Bolts WITHOUT DC FC inlet since those cars won't have that locking tab which is only supposed to activate when DC FCing.
Those poor orphaned souls. Harmed needlessly by GM's original marketing of the Bolt EV as "less than $30,000"

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