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Hard to insert charging nozzle into charging port

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Valencia Orange, Jun 1, 2015.

  1. Valencia Orange

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    It is getting hard to insert the electric charging nozzle into the car's charging port. It use to be very easy to insert. The gray latch on the charging nozzle would lock into place immediately. I am not having to lift the charging nozzle while it is inserted, in order to get the gray tab to lock. Suggestions and help would be appreciated.

    Is the charging cable covered under the 36 month warranty?

    Thank you
     
  2. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

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  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    IIRC, some have removed an O ring to make the connection easier?
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sounds right. look down the charger head and see if the rubber gasket at the bottom is dislodged.
     
  5. SLOW_RR

    SLOW_RR Member

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    What bisco said! Remove the little (mine was red) "O" ring down in there with a pair of needle nosed pliers (probably a good idea to unplug the cord first from the outlet...) and just remove it. Bet it solves the problem. It did for me.
     
  6. seek

    seek Junior Member

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    I had to push the rubber ring back down in a public charger. I probably should have used something other than the flat blade of a Swiss Army knife.
     
  7. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    I pulled our o ring out ... lubed it up with silicon spray ... reinstalled. good as new. It does serve a purpose ... keeps water out if you're charging in a heavy rain.
    .
     
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  8. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    Gasoline works wonders
     
  9. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    Vasoline that is. Foiled by spell check
     
  10. rxlawdude

    rxlawdude Active Member

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    Indeed, it's not like Toyota thought, "what can we do to peeve PiP drivers using our EVSE?" :)
     
  11. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Hey !!!! that's a good idea !!!

    [​IMG]


    oh ... vasoline . . . Great . . . . NOW you tell me
    :p
    .
     
    #11 hill, Jun 11, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2015
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    any luck at the dealer?
     
  13. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    No, dealer was out of vasoline.
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    should have checked the k-y inventory.
     
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  15. SLOW_RR

    SLOW_RR Member

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    Maybe if you are charging in a flash flood..... I have charged in torrential downpours and never had any moisture get into the charge port. Take a good look at the angle the plug goes into the port on the car and tell me how heavy the flooding would have to be to get any water into the plug. I removed the dang "O" ring over a year ago. I can't see that it serves any useful purpose except to tick off owners... LOL Just remove it and forget about it.
     
  16. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Lol, yep, walk up to parts counter at dealer.

    "I'd like to buy some KY please."
     
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    because my plug won't go all the way into the socket.;)
     
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  18. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    It's just a question the plastic/hard rubber getting dry and grabbing a bii. Smear a thin amount of vasoline on the mating surfaces. NOT into the electrical openings.
     
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  19. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Is Vaseline safe for the O ring material though? Water based or silicone grease might be safer.
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    my aftermarket L2 didn't come with an o ring, just plastic on plastic. there must be a lube made for plastic?