DC Charging Cover/Flap :: Has anyone removed it?

[arijaycomet]

(see orange arrow as reference)

This past weekend I had a day trip and ended up DC fast charging 3x times in total. My first stop was to a Tesla Supercharger that has a MagicDock, only because I had wanted to try it out. I found the adapter clunky and barely clearing the little cover (see photo). It almost broke off when removing the Tesla CCS (MagicDock) setup. My second/third chargers were at EVgo and Electrify America stops on my travels.

I've found that it is sometimes a PITA to deal with that fragile cover in the way, and/or it flips closed/up while trying to insert the CCS handle. In other cars I've had, the cover stays more out of the way, and/or has been a rubber piece that just dangles (like a gas/fuel cap would), again staying out of the way.

Question then is----
Has anyone tried to carefully REMOVE this plastic DC port cover?
IMO the rubber gasket around the cover/door should be adequate.
Plenty of my EVs have not kept the DC 2x pins covered -- seems more a European car thing.

Thoughts ? How to remove? Anyone try it? Cause issues?

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[Jhenson29]

Didn’t @DerekS remove his? Unintentionally?

 

[arijaycomet]

Didn’t @DerekS remove his? Unintentionally?

I vaguely recall someone posting about theirs coming off but I thought it caused issues too? Or some warning error? Hence why I asked here -- but I also couldn't find that thread -- I'll search his activity here and stalk his posts for info LOL

Found his thread here:
https://www.taycanforum.com/forum/threads/if-you-break-your-charging-flap.17687/

 

[arijaycomet]

PS: From what I can tell from @DerekS post(s) -- it seems his broke off unintentionally. But that it seems to have still DC charged after? My biggest worry here is that nothing exists in the car that can detect the presence of the cover (a hidden button internally that gets depressed by the over being in place, etc). I'd be tempted to remove this cover, realizing the ramifications that may exist, just for sake of not breaking it -- "remove before trips" hahaha

 

[DerekS]

I actually have two different replacements. I've not found a tool to poke into the hole to release it yet, so I've not installed either. The difference between the two is the length of the "latch" that holds it in.

AFAIK, a thin pick or similar tool inserted into the gap under the flap will release it.

Like the OP in this thread, the magic dock is what broke mine.

 

[DerekS]

PS: From what I can tell from @DerekS post(s) -- it seems his broke off unintentionally. But that it seems to have still DC charged after? My biggest worry here is that nothing exists in the car that can detect the presence of the cover (a hidden button internally that gets depressed by the over being in place, etc). I'd be tempted to remove this cover, realizing the ramifications that may exist, just for sake of not breaking it -- "remove before trips" hahaha

I don't see anything electrical that detects the presence of the cover.

PIcs of both versions, I'm guessing it changed in a model year somewhere.

 

[arijaycomet]

Thanks for this assistance. I'm not sure I'd try to remove the one I have unless I already had spent the $$ to have a spare around like you have now. Granted yours already did break, LOL -- but I suspect that if anything, I may order a replacement (once I identify which one I need) -- and then maybe give a removal a try. We'll see how adventurous I get ...

@DerekS assume you have successfully DC fast charged interim, with a broken flap? That is good to know obviously -- and makes sense.

 

[DerekS]

@DerekS assume you have successfully DC fast charged interim, with a broken flap? That is good to know obviously -- and makes sense.

Correct. The only hassle is trying to seat the CCS plug while also holding down the flap with my other hand. DC charging works as expected.

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