Charging flap and charging cable issues

[orrery]

I'm not sure what the function of the locking flap is. Is someone going to syphon out your electrons?

[Guitar George]

I'm not sure what the function of the locking flap is. Is someone going to syphon out your electrons?

I can only think that it makes it harder for passing drunks to rip it off... Is that an issue where they are built?

[Enyaq Mark]

I can’t get the charging flap to unlock on my 2021 Enyaq. Normally it unlocks when the doors are unlocked, with one click. I’ve tried every possible combination with the key as well as pressing the flap in to release any pressure on the lock but it remains firmly locked. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Is it possible to release the flap from inside the boot? Is it possible to break open the flap without breaking the hinges? How do you cut the ears off the lock when the flap is locked shut?

[RichR]

I can’t get the charging flap to unlock on my 2021 Enyaq. Normally it unlocks when the doors are unlocked, with one click. I’ve tried every possible combination with the key as well as pressing the flap in to release any pressure on the lock but it remains firmly locked. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Is it possible to release the flap from inside the boot? Is it possible to break open the flap without breaking the hinges? How do you cut the ears off the lock when the flap is locked shut?

This is a well known issue on a huge number of VW/Skoda/Audi/Seat/Cupra vehicles produced in the last 5 years or so. We have an extensive thread on the issue on here. Basically the motor that moves the locking pin gets water in it and corrodes. You can't release the flap from inside (there is a release for the charger plug, but not the flap). It is possible to slide the coloured flap off the black plastic hinge unit. Once that's off, you can snip the ears off the locking pin with a knife quite easily, and just live with a non-locking flap. If you want it to lock again, you'll need to replace the whole plastics unit and motor (~£100).

[Enyaq Mark]

Thanks Rich. That's really helpful, unlike my local Skoda dealer who said they could book it in for "investigation" in June. Any tips as to the best way of sliding the flap off the hinge unit? I've got the RAC coming later. They'll want me to sign a disclaimer re any damage caused which is fair enough but if they can get the flap off without causing damage that would obviously be better.

[RichR]

Have a look at this thread: viewtopic.php?t=1259

I've put photos of how to replace the unit, so you can see how the coloured flap is held onto the black plastic mechanism inside. In essence, the flap slides into runners and is retained by a springly plastic clip in the middle. You'll need to lever the back edge of the flap away from the body so you can then push it backwards - breaking that clip. Unless you're very lucky, I don't think you'll be able to release the clip with the flap shut. You might break the runner bits slightly but not enough to be a problem. However you do it, you will probably do some damage, but if you have an understanding of how it's constructed inside you can limit it.

Once it's off, you'll be able to see the locking lugs on the motor pin, and snip them off so that the outer part of the hinge can move again. Then refit the coloured flap with a bit of glue if necessary. Don't overdo the glue, because you'll want to be able to remove the flap later if you want to replace the black plastic section and the failed motor.

To be fair, most Skoda dealers will have experience of getting in, removing the whole unit and fitting a new one with a new motor - because it's such a common failure, possibly as often on petrol and diesel models (it's the same mechanism, just with a filler pipe hole rather than a socket in bodywork).

[Enyaq Mark]

Thanks for all your help, Rich. My Skoda garage improved on their offer to book me in in three months' time. They offered me an emergency appointment in three days' time. I understand they had a number of mechanics off sick so were simply unable to provide the level of service one might expect from a main dealer. Meanwhile after a number of phone conversations with the RAC who had originally said they would force open the flap provided I signed a disclaimer in respect of any damage, finally they told me they could not send anyone to me because my car was still driveable. It seems I could have driven the car until it stopped and then they would have come out. So what do you do when neither a main dealer nor the RAC can help and you're not competent to remove the flap yourself. You go to Nicolas Gibbs Ltd, a two man lock up garage in North London who have never let me down over several decades. Mick Gibbs succeeded in popping open the flap without damaging anything other than an ear on the locking pin (thanks in part to the photos you provided) and after snipping off the other ear, I can now access the charging socket. Why did VW/Skoda ever think it necessary to have a locking flap?

[RichR]

Excellent - yes, that's exactly what is possible by someone who cares

The flap mechanism is the same as on petrol/diesel VW/Skoda/Cupra/Audi models, so it's used on the EVs too as it saves on making special parts. There's a legal requirement to have a lock on the fuel filler pipe in most countries to prevent theft, pollution and risk of fire. I guess making the flap lockable rather than the filler cap means there's less chance of it getting vandalised or maybe popping open in strong wind? Certainly I remember my old 1980s Renaults having non-locking flaps, but locking caps though.

[jasdk]

I also have an Enyaq 85.

I too have to unlock, lock again, and unlock to open the charge port. Is very consistent and thus not likely caused by a faulty actuator.

Skoda support has today confirmed in writing to me that this behaviour is caused by a bug in the software that they claim will be address in a future release. They can't tell when this new software will arrive.

I hope it's soon as I have had to deal with this annoying behaviour for almost a full year now.

However, nice of Skoda support to tell the truth about this issue.

JASE-DK