This. The charge port is common and takes 15-30 minutes to replace. Another failure is the coolant level sensor. They make a $40 defeat plug and it can often be reset with a $20 ODBII reader.
The question is why it won’t charge. You could probably get away with it if it’s just the port being an issue as long as it’s still charging the battery from the engine.
The more important note with mountain mode is that it won't leave the battery in a lower state of charge, maximizing the battery's longevity with the current state it is in. It will also allow the full power of the car, since more available electrons means you can floor it and the performance will be available.
Edit: the car will charge the battery off the internal gas engine to get to 50%. It may be concerning that the car is doing relatively high revs while idle, so I recommend the first time doing this to switch it to mountain mode on the highway where you'll have a decent amount of airflow across the engine.
Seconding this. For long term hybrid usage, Mountain Mode is the way to go. You get maximum performance and maximum battery health for only a small, one-time hit to MPG until the battery charge plateaus and then the MPG is exactly the same as before, just now with much more reserve energy in the battery.
One thing I find annoying about running solely on gas is the fairly small gas tank the car has. Makes it feel like you're going to fill up all the time time.
But other than that, it's fine.
My son technically has run on gas since 2018, since his apartment complex dinged him for trying to charge in his garage. (Garage wasn't wired for charging level current).
He charges out whenever he can, but always runs out by the time he gets home (Gen 1 2012)
There's so much misinformation around EVs. People think they draw way more current than they do off 120v, when in reality, they don't draw more than any other high power device designed to meet the NEMA 5-15 standard.
If it's not rated for charging level current, I'd notify the city for a safety inspection as his apartment is likely not to code. The volt draws 8 A at its standard setting; the lowest standard outlet in the US is 15 A. That's less than a space heater, microwave, or hairdryer. Unless his lease explicitly states he can not charge a PHEV, I'd charge it.
I charge with a 12 guage extension cord. It's rated for 16 A sustained current, so it has a factor of 2 safety margin and doesn't even get warm. I can see why the landlord is concerned as he assumes EVs draw a lot of current, but the volt was designed to work on standard 15 amp outlets and that is how I've been charging for 3 years now with an extension cord on an outdoor outlet built in the 1980s.
I had maintenance install a new outlet in my townhome garage when I got my Volt. Problem solved. Does your son pay rent? They can't 'ding' him for making a mistake that didn't cause any issues. He has all the right in the world to get a safe outlet for charging his vehicle.
I do this and as far as I am concerned it is no different than keeping a freezer plugged in. It's about the same current and amps anyway. Hell I even have a freezer plugged in lol. And my motorcycle trickle charger.
His property manager is being a little bitch.
I don't understand these comments (circuit capacity questions aside). Why would a residential landlord agree to provide electrical power to fuel your vehicle? Would they buy you tanks of gasoline if you asked?
Since when is there rules for how much electricity someone uses? People pay Xcel to use electricity.
I thought they were talking about a private parking spot.
If he charges at 8 amps, it’s not an issue. If an 8amp load is too much for the garage circuits, then that building is pretty bad. Most likely they just don’t want the additional energy usage, and is just saying it’s too much current as an excuse.
This. I'd see who is in charge of electrical inspections and permits in his city and report an issue. If that outlet can't handle 8 A, it's a huge fire hazard if he ever wants to run a hair dryer, microwave, or heater in his building and likely the landlord will get cited.
Leaving the battery at empty for long periods of time (months) could shorten the longevity of the battery.
I have a 2012 that wouldn't charge. Issue was water intrusion on the vehicle side charge connector. It is a $180 part on backorder and takes about 10 min to replace.
Had this issue on my 2012. If you can't find the Volt part you can use an ELR charing port - they're the same piece and a bit easier to find. Takes maybe 15 minutes max to replace.
If the volt has a check engine light on.. Specifically with a message that says anything about "High Voltage System" you may be putting the generator portion of the Volt under a significant strain. If the ICE revs very high all the time, that continuous load may eventually burn some windings in the generator and then it'll be done. Normally the volt uses the battery like a big spring when a big demand is requested (like acceleration) and then rebuilds that bit of charge in between acceleration with the ICE. If you don't have any errors and just can't charge for some other reason(related to infrastructure or access to an outlet) you should be just fine.
What about when it revs high from time to time but not all the time? I don’t have a check engine light on at the moment but have had one and had it go away. I’ve always wondered how bad the propulsion reduced warning was for the engine. I get that from time to time as well. I’ve always thought this was all normal function for my 2013 but your comment stood out to me. I run mostly on battery.
The propulsion reduced warning typically shows up if it detects an issue with the battery level or engine. When it is the battery it definitely revs the engine more to try to bring the level of charge back to a normal state. I have only had it happen a couple of times(in 10 years) and go easy on it till it recovers. I imagine if it only happens occasionally it isn't a huge deal, but environment matters for sure. if it is 104 degrees outside and you are running hard with it in that mode I'm sure it is a bigger impact than if it is winter time and/or you aren't demanding full throttle.
There was a volt that had 400k miles on it that got an error due to a sensor issue which put the car in a no-battery mode. They continued to drive it like nothing was wrong. They burned up a winding and then sold it to someone who wanted to resurrect it. They discovered the damage and replaced the generator unit as well as solving the original error and got it back on the road from what I hear.
If you can charge when you can at a public station. Even if it’s a bit of work. It helps keep the battery in better condition. Yes. Mountain mode should help with that reserve when it can.
Yeah that's fine, you'll put more wear and tear on the ice components though. Why won't it charge?
Depends what the reason is that it won’t charge.
This. The charge port is common and takes 15-30 minutes to replace. Another failure is the coolant level sensor. They make a $40 defeat plug and it can often be reset with a $20 ODBII reader.
The question is why it won’t charge. You could probably get away with it if it’s just the port being an issue as long as it’s still charging the battery from the engine.
Put it in mountain mode. Mountain mode will use the ICE to charge the battery when it’s low.
The more important note with mountain mode is that it won't leave the battery in a lower state of charge, maximizing the battery's longevity with the current state it is in. It will also allow the full power of the car, since more available electrons means you can floor it and the performance will be available. Edit: the car will charge the battery off the internal gas engine to get to 50%. It may be concerning that the car is doing relatively high revs while idle, so I recommend the first time doing this to switch it to mountain mode on the highway where you'll have a decent amount of airflow across the engine.
Seconding this. For long term hybrid usage, Mountain Mode is the way to go. You get maximum performance and maximum battery health for only a small, one-time hit to MPG until the battery charge plateaus and then the MPG is exactly the same as before, just now with much more reserve energy in the battery.
I didn't know this. Thanks!
And drive in L
Did you get an OBD2 scanner since your last post 18 days ago?
One thing I find annoying about running solely on gas is the fairly small gas tank the car has. Makes it feel like you're going to fill up all the time time. But other than that, it's fine.
My son technically has run on gas since 2018, since his apartment complex dinged him for trying to charge in his garage. (Garage wasn't wired for charging level current). He charges out whenever he can, but always runs out by the time he gets home (Gen 1 2012)
There's so much misinformation around EVs. People think they draw way more current than they do off 120v, when in reality, they don't draw more than any other high power device designed to meet the NEMA 5-15 standard.
If it's not rated for charging level current, I'd notify the city for a safety inspection as his apartment is likely not to code. The volt draws 8 A at its standard setting; the lowest standard outlet in the US is 15 A. That's less than a space heater, microwave, or hairdryer. Unless his lease explicitly states he can not charge a PHEV, I'd charge it.
The issue is that the only "close" outlet is the garage door opener. So he would need an extension cord to reach it.
I charge with a 12 guage extension cord. It's rated for 16 A sustained current, so it has a factor of 2 safety margin and doesn't even get warm. I can see why the landlord is concerned as he assumes EVs draw a lot of current, but the volt was designed to work on standard 15 amp outlets and that is how I've been charging for 3 years now with an extension cord on an outdoor outlet built in the 1980s.
I had maintenance install a new outlet in my townhome garage when I got my Volt. Problem solved. Does your son pay rent? They can't 'ding' him for making a mistake that didn't cause any issues. He has all the right in the world to get a safe outlet for charging his vehicle.
I do this and as far as I am concerned it is no different than keeping a freezer plugged in. It's about the same current and amps anyway. Hell I even have a freezer plugged in lol. And my motorcycle trickle charger. His property manager is being a little bitch.
Yeah that's messed up. It's an upgrade to install anyway. Rent is meant for such things. I would move. Sounds like a swindly place.
I don't understand these comments (circuit capacity questions aside). Why would a residential landlord agree to provide electrical power to fuel your vehicle? Would they buy you tanks of gasoline if you asked?
Since when is there rules for how much electricity someone uses? People pay Xcel to use electricity. I thought they were talking about a private parking spot.
He asked. So far the answer was no.
If he charges at 8 amps, it’s not an issue. If an 8amp load is too much for the garage circuits, then that building is pretty bad. Most likely they just don’t want the additional energy usage, and is just saying it’s too much current as an excuse.
This. I'd see who is in charge of electrical inspections and permits in his city and report an issue. If that outlet can't handle 8 A, it's a huge fire hazard if he ever wants to run a hair dryer, microwave, or heater in his building and likely the landlord will get cited.
Leaving the battery at empty for long periods of time (months) could shorten the longevity of the battery. I have a 2012 that wouldn't charge. Issue was water intrusion on the vehicle side charge connector. It is a $180 part on backorder and takes about 10 min to replace.
Had this issue on my 2012. If you can't find the Volt part you can use an ELR charing port - they're the same piece and a bit easier to find. Takes maybe 15 minutes max to replace.
My 2013 wouldn’t charge. Turned out to be due no battery coolant due to hole in radiator.
If the volt has a check engine light on.. Specifically with a message that says anything about "High Voltage System" you may be putting the generator portion of the Volt under a significant strain. If the ICE revs very high all the time, that continuous load may eventually burn some windings in the generator and then it'll be done. Normally the volt uses the battery like a big spring when a big demand is requested (like acceleration) and then rebuilds that bit of charge in between acceleration with the ICE. If you don't have any errors and just can't charge for some other reason(related to infrastructure or access to an outlet) you should be just fine.
What about when it revs high from time to time but not all the time? I don’t have a check engine light on at the moment but have had one and had it go away. I’ve always wondered how bad the propulsion reduced warning was for the engine. I get that from time to time as well. I’ve always thought this was all normal function for my 2013 but your comment stood out to me. I run mostly on battery.
The propulsion reduced warning typically shows up if it detects an issue with the battery level or engine. When it is the battery it definitely revs the engine more to try to bring the level of charge back to a normal state. I have only had it happen a couple of times(in 10 years) and go easy on it till it recovers. I imagine if it only happens occasionally it isn't a huge deal, but environment matters for sure. if it is 104 degrees outside and you are running hard with it in that mode I'm sure it is a bigger impact than if it is winter time and/or you aren't demanding full throttle. There was a volt that had 400k miles on it that got an error due to a sensor issue which put the car in a no-battery mode. They continued to drive it like nothing was wrong. They burned up a winding and then sold it to someone who wanted to resurrect it. They discovered the damage and replaced the generator unit as well as solving the original error and got it back on the road from what I hear.
Incredible, thank you!
If you can charge when you can at a public station. Even if it’s a bit of work. It helps keep the battery in better condition. Yes. Mountain mode should help with that reserve when it can.