E-Tron "Charging System Locking Error"

[Teerev2727]

Hi,

I have had my 2020 e-tron 3 weeks and prior to my 7kw wall charger being installed, I've had to use the 2kw UK 3pin charger (painfully slow at charging but it did the job and never had any errors or issues).

Yesterday I had the 7kw charger installed and occasionally (20% of the time) I get an error on the dash and also on my Audi app "Charging System Locking Error" and I get a solid red warning light next to the charger socket on the car.

The cable is fully inserted into the car and the connection feels nice and tight.

I tried something and I get the exact same error when I half-plug the charger into the car (on purpose). I assume the locking pin is not able to slot into the charger plug Which is why it gives the error.

It's annoying becuase it is intermittent and I can't recreate the issue on demand unless I half-plug it in. The issue occasionally happens even when it's fullt correctly inserted.

 

Is this issue likely to only be caused by the locking pin not being able to "get into" the charger handle? As I read online that it could be something to do with how the charger is earthed. (It was installed by a certified EV charger engineer.

I've attached some images.

Thanks for your help! (I will report back if I ever find a solution to this).

 

 

[Anton8]

Hi Trev. Is the cable you are using tethered to the charger? If yes go to another charge point and use the cable that came with the car to see if it does the same thing. If it is not tethered go to a tethered charger and use that cable to see if you still have the problem. That will tell you if it is the car or the cable.

[Teerev2727]

1 hour ago, Anton8 said:

Hi Trev. Is the cable you are using tethered to the charger? If yes go to another charge point and use the cable that came with the car to see if it does the same thing. If it is not tethered go to a tethered charger and use that cable to see if you still have the problem. That will tell you if it is the car or the cable.

Thanks for your reply, yea the 3pin uk charger that came with the car works perfectly fine, never had an issue, the day after I start using this new wall charger connecter cable, I have issues. (Yes it's tethered).

I know it's definitely the new cable, I just wondered if it could be caused by the connector not being inserted properly (even though it was 100% inserted) or caused by the locking pins not slotting into the connector properly (as though they're not lining up correctly maybe?).

Or could it actually be caused by an electrical issue with the new charger like someone else online suggested.

Thanks,

Trev 

[cliffcoggin]

Trev.

The CP pin in the plug is shorter than all the others to ensure it is the last to make contact when plugged, and first to break contact when unplugged. (The CP circuit is the control for the charging operation.) That is why you can replicate the fault by only half plugging.

Therefore while there may be a problem with the CP connection, I reckon it is more likely to be a fault in the charge point and you should recall its installer.

[Teerev2727]

52 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

Trev.

The CP pin in the plug is shorter than all the others to ensure it is the last to make contact when plugged, and first to break contact when unplugged. (The CP circuit is the control for the charging operation.) That is why you can replicate the fault by only half plugging.

Therefore while there may be a problem with the CP connection, I reckon it is more likely to be a fault in the charge point and you should recall its installer.

Thanks for taking the time to help!

I've been doing some more testing and I have noticed that the slightest bit of pressure pulling down on the charger cable seems to be enough to stop the locking pin from slotting into the charger cable. (Even the weight of the cable seems to weigh it down enough to cause a the issue).

If I put the charger cable into the car and hold the handle for 2 seconds (counteracting the weight of the cable pulling it down) I do not get the issue. 

I've tried this multiple times and I get the red light issue when I let go, and it charges fine when I keep hold for 2 seconds..

I looked into the driver side charger port and saw that there is 1 locking pin. This slides into the charging cable handle on the right hand side of it.

When I inspected the right hand locking pin slot/hole on the side of the charger cable handle, I noticed that it is quite worn and I've only had the charger 2 days. (See image attached).

It appears that the charger locking pin slot/hole is too 'snug' perhaps.. 

I'll do a bit more real-life testing this week and report back. 

Trev

[cliffcoggin]

All the more reason to contact the supplier of the charge point.

As a matter of curiosity what brand is it?

[Teerev2727]

23 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

All the more reason to contact the supplier of the charge point.

As a matter of curiosity what brand is it?

Evec VEC03 with the tethered charger cable