2012 charge port lid opener handle replacement

[ishiyakazuo]

Hi all,
I've never heard of this being a thing, but my wife somehow managed to break the charge port lid opener handle on our 2012 SL. The bottom half of it just snapped off. There's still enough of it that it can be pulled and the charge port lid opens, but it's a real pain. I've looked through the parts list, and I cannot find this for the life of me. Has anyone else needed to replace this, and if so, how much effort is it? Is it something I should take to the dealer, or is it pretty easy to slip on a part from a junker?

 

[jjeff]

Mine also broke, just like yours. I wasn't sure how it would work but I just superglued mine(gel superglue) and knock on wood it's held up for over a year. I'm now a bit cautious when pulling it as to not pull too hard but it seems to be one of those rare cases where super glue works very well
The trick is to hold it very steady for 20?? seconds while it dries and then to not use it overnight to fully cure, at least thats what I did.

 

[ishiyakazuo]

I did contemplate breaking out the superglue. I've got a 3D printer, so I also considered making a replacement part, but compared to a molded ABS part, it's unlikely to hold up as well (unless somehow I design something better than Nissan's engineers). I guess I don't have too much to lose by trying some superglue. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[atikovi]

I have the same problem, the plastic handle broke off and looks ugly now. I could try and glue the broken part back, but has anyone replaced just the handle? Nissan only sells the whole cable assembly including the hood cable and its handle under part number 656213NA1C for over $100. I can't find a single Leaf in a junk yard within 100 miles and nothing on Ebay except one with a similarly broken handle.

 

[BillAinCT]

I've got a 3D printer, so I also considered making a replacement part, but compared to a molded ABS part, it's unlikely to hold up as well (unless somehow I design something better than Nissan's engineers).

You can prototype with your 3D printer and if you're happy then send it off to a prototype 3D printing house and have it printed in resin or even metal. Maybe you don't need to make it better but make it with a better material.

 

[FinnishCoffee]

If you’re looking into 3d-printing, Paul Kennett’s version is pretty good: https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-leaf-charge-port-lever-104902 remember to mirror the part if used in a left hand drive vehicle.

 

[MozzoAU]

Ditto. I had one printed in Aluminium via craftcloud. Works better than the original one.

 

[FinnishCoffee]

Ditto. I had one printed in Aluminium via craftcloud. Works better than the original one.

Sounds snazzy. Do you have a photo of it? And how much did it cost?

 

[gward]

I have the same problem, the plastic handle broke off and looks ugly now. I could try and glue the broken part back, but has anyone replaced just the handle? Nissan only sells the whole cable assembly including the hood cable and its handle under part number 656213NA1C for over $100. I can't find a single Leaf in a junk yard within 100 miles and nothing on Ebay except one with a similarly broken handle.

I can confirm that the handle part can easily be removed from the cable, since I did replace mine last year (on the 2011) with a junkyard pulled part. I'll try and take a photo tomorrow of the spare I have.

 

[gward]

Ditto. I had one printed in Aluminium via craftcloud. Works better than the original one.

I would be interested in this too!
I did a similar thing as this to my 4Runner cup holder a decade ago, never had to replace it again.

 

[MozzoAU]

Here's my printed one. At the time back in 22 it cost around $AUD45