Stuck Charge Port Door

[Agkirk]

My charge port door will not release, is there a manual release method? Worked on Saturday; went to charge today and the door will not pop open. Release button causes two beeps and the sound of two or more relays clicking.

[Firetruck41]

I don't have my car with me now, but IIIRC, there is a mention in the owner's manual about a manual release. I think you have to open the hood and use something from the tool bag to insert and release the door...

[ElectricEddy]

There is a slotted head screw you can turn to manually release the auto lock for the evse connector with the hood open, but for the charge port lid on my 13; No. This is why I did this: http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=16789 . Check your 12V battery level, if it is low it will not supply enough energy to operate the latch solenoid.

[kolmstead]

I'd vote for low 12V battery also. Will your car start? If so, try the charging port release again. Was your car plugged in while you were out of town? Guaranteed to run the 12V battery down. Charge 12V battery and life will be good again.

-Karl

[CharlesinGA]

Owners manual tells and shows how to manually release the door. has a pic.

[Agkirk]

Thanks all, mine is a 2015 S with a solenoid activated cable to the latch mechanism. I couldn't find anything in the owners manual but I did get it released by opening the bonnet, removing the forward plastic cover, reaching in from the drivers side of the charge port area and pushing down and forward on the radiator air dam to give enough room for my big hand to reach under the charge connectors and push the covers latch release lever.

I subsequently discovered "The Rabbit" had gotten to the solenoid wires so this was not going to be a quick repair! I removed the four plastic retainer pins and the charge door plastic trim to give my eyes access to the latch mechanism. I tied a strong string to the trip lever and ran it into the motor compartment. Reinstalled the charge port trim and charged.

Removing the solenoid has become a problem! It is beneath a plastic cover which is very difficult to gain access to. I have removed two sheet metal screws and a 11mm bolt but the unit will not budge.

I have asked for help from the Palmdale CA Nissan dealer but they have been of little help. They don't seem to have any pictures or documents and there best solution is "bring the car in and we will look at it" Not easy to do as I live 90 miles away! Senior service tech remembered there was a plastic cover from his factory training but didn't have any more documentation. Hmmm!

Pictures or drawings of the solenoid cover and mounting would be helpful.

Did take a look today at the post from ElectricEddy and he did the same.

[CharlesinGA]

I have a 2015 S I acquired in May, and the owners manual has a page on opening this door and an illustration on how to manually release it thru the hood area. I did it to make sure it could be done. Not sure why you were unable to find it in the manuals.

[GlennD]

When my red Leaf was at the body shop the mechanic used the wrong longer bolt on the latch and the door would not open. I refused to drive away and the mechanic came out to fix the problem.

In less than 5 minutes he had the front bumper off. The whole repair took far less than fifteen minutes. It seems that it is fast and easy to remove the front bumper.

[ElectricEddy]

I have a 2015 S I acquired in May, and the owners manual has a page on opening this door and an illustration on how to manually release it thru the hood area. I did it to make sure it could be done. Not sure why you were unable to find it in the manuals.

Owners nor service manuals fora 2013 Leaf do not contain such illustrations . A copy or picture would be beneficial.

[ElectricEddy]

[quote="Agkirk"

Did take a look today at the post from ElectricEddy and he did the same.[/quote] Except I used cable ties and can access it simply by opening the motor compartment hood.