Faulty Charging Cable

Tommy Electric

Tommy Electric

Active Member
Since I picked it up last December, the SE has been a blast to drive. This weekend, however, I hit my first technical hiccup.

After plugging the car into my garage power socket in the evening, the following morning I went to unplug the car only to discover that it had only charged to 90% and the red "Fault" light was flashing on the charging cable. I turned off charging, disconnected, reconnected and tried again but the fault persisted. I tried this on another power socket and the result was the same. My car will still charge using a Type-2 charging cable so the fault seems isolated to the charging cable.

I've contacted my dealership who have forwarded my issue to a warranty officer who will hopefully sort this out. Has anyone had a similar issue with their charging cable?

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I expect that, like me, many people who have Level 2 EVSEs have never tested the included charging cable. If I'm going to carry that cable around with me all the time, I should find out if it works. I hope you can get your charging cable replaced quickly. It will be interesting to hear what your dealer does to verify the charging cable is the problem.

Thanks for motivating me to test something I may depend on some day.
 
I forgot to ask, you didn't see an aurora australis in the sky lately, did you? (just kidding)
 
insightman said:
I forgot to ask, you didn't see an aurora australis in the sky lately, did you? (just kidding)
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No idea what you're referencing here.

At any rate, yes, I'm hoping to get the cable replaced quickly. I would think that testing it on another SE, say a test drive car, would be the quickest way to determine whether the cable is the problem.
 
Tommy Electric said:
No idea what you're referencing here.

At any rate, yes, I'm hoping to get the cable replaced quickly. I would think that testing it on another SE, say a test drive car, would be the quickest way to determine whether the cable is the problem.
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I was making a bad joke about celestial ionic storms possibly being responsible for your electrical problem. Will your dealer be likely to have another SE on which to test your charging cable?
 
insightman said:
I expect that, like me, many people who have Level 2 EVSEs have never tested the included charging cable. If I'm going to carry that cable around with me all the time, I should find out if it works. I hope you can get your charging cable replaced quickly. It will be interesting to hear what your dealer does to verify the charging cable is the problem.

Thanks for motivating me to test something I may depend on some day.
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Me too. My charge cable is still in the original packaging beneath the little false floor. I should probably give it a try some day.
 
Yep, mine is still in its original packaging in the back. I should probably test that out sooner than later.
 
moff1959 said:
A level 2 charging cable what is that?
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This KHONS EVSE is an example of a Level 2 charging cable (essentially an EVSE not mounted on a wall) that can provide the 240-Volt 32-Amp max for the MINI Cooper SE. It also works on 120 Volts if 240-Volt power is not available, but you'd need a plug adapter. It has an interesting way to select 12A, 24A, or 32A operation: you shake it until the number you want shows up on the display! I tried to figure out why they made it this way and decided it eliminates any external knobs or switches that could break off as it rattles around in the back of a BEV.
 
insightman said:
It has an interesting way to select 12A, 24A, or 32A operation: you shake it until the number you want shows up on the display! I tried to figure out why they made it this way and decided it eliminates any external knobs or switches that could break off as it rattles around in the back of a BEV.
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That's flipping cray-cray.

How many thousands of devices exist with switches or dials that are robust and durable? That last thing I would want to do with any technological device, even if it is something supposedly solid, is shake it as part of its normal operation.
 
bldxyz said:
That's flipping cray-cray.

How many thousands of devices exist with switches or dials that are robust and durable? That last thing I would want to do with any technological device, even if it is something supposedly solid, is shake it as part of its normal operation.
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If you don't trust a Chinese technological breakthrough like this, it's good you chose BMW's gen-3 MINI instead of waiting for Great Wall Motors to start making the gen-4 MINIs.
 
bldxyz said:
That's flipping cray-cray.

How many thousands of devices exist with switches or dials that are robust and durable? That last thing I would want to do with any technological device, even if it is something supposedly solid, is shake it as part of its normal operation.
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They should have designed it so that you have to whack it against the side of your head to select the desired function.
 
Lainey said:
Here's a good article explaining different chargers

https://insideevs.com/features/3415...s-guide-to-home-ev-chargers-plus-top-5-picks/
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None of those are "Chargers" and you don't have a "charging cable" you have a power cord and AC supply equipment for the EV's on board charger. The EVSE has a few functions, it provides a "Handshake" between the EV and the EVSE this is through a pilot pin within the plug using low voltage 12v supply. Once it receives the correct reading back it will energize the AC supply contactor inside the EVSE and supply the on board charger with AC power.

The only external charging is at the two bottom pins on the vehicles socket this is where the external DC supply can be fed to the high voltage battery for charging.
I talked to Tom in the past about "Chargers" and it looks like we have already got off to using the incorrect terminology, this will suit some suppliers so they can charge $500 to $1000 per unit when they all do the same basic functions. I get it people want to use an app to control the EVSE and if that's what you like to do then go for it, me I like technology but I also like to keep it simple if I can.
 
moff1959 said:
None of those are "Chargers" and you don't have a "charging cable" you have a power cord and AC supply equipment for the EV's on board charger. The EVSE has a few functions, it provides a "Handshake" between the EV and the EVSE this is through a pilot pin within the plug using low voltage 12v supply. Once it receives the correct reading back it will energize the AC supply contactor inside the EVSE and supply the on board charger with AC power.

The only external charging is at the two bottom pins on the vehicles socket this is where the external DC supply can be fed to the high voltage battery for charging.
I talked to Tom in the past about "Chargers" and it looks like we have already got off to using the incorrect terminology, this will suit some suppliers so they can charge $500 to $1000 per unit when they all do the same basic functions. I get it people want to use an app to control the EVSE and if that's what you like to do then go for it, me I like technology but I also like to keep it simple if I can.
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I really was replying to what I thought the person was asking since charging cables were mentioned in the very 1st post.

Maybe you didn't mean to come across as rude, but I really personally didn't need to be splained to. I often reply with like terms because it helps people with their question instead of confusing further. I learned to do this in IT which works better in the long run. In my house I use an EVSE but if someone calls it a charger I know what they mean. Same with cell phones and charging. JMO
 
Since it was brought up, I do like having a smart EVSE with an app. It allows me to see info that I would guess on. I also appreciate the Mini app to let me know approximate charge times. I will use it to guesstimate how long to full charge so in the winter when I want to leave I'll have a warmed battery from charging by setting a delay charge time. I'm a technology lover though.
 
Lainey said:
I really was replying to what I thought the person was asking since charging cables were mentioned in the very 1st post.

Maybe you didn't mean to come across as rude, but I really personally didn't need to be splained to. I often reply with like terms because it helps people with their question instead of confusing further. I learned to do this in IT which works better in the long run. In my house I use an EVSE but if someone calls it a charger I know what they mean. Same with cell phones and charging. JMO
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There is no emotion in an email or a reply its how you perceive it, and this is a forum and the reply is meant for the group in general its not personal or directed at you, sorry you saw it that way. The charging cable question from me was because I did not receive one with my car only the 120v EVSE. I think its the one with the plug at either end for using at hotels and restaurants that supply a power socket you can plug into, does anyone know if that is a standard supply item for vehicles supplied in the USA ?
 
moff1959 said:
There is no emotion in an email or a reply its how you perceive it, and this is a forum and the reply is meant for the group in general its not personal or directed at you, sorry you saw it that way. The charging cable question from me was because I did not receive one with my car only the 120v EVSE. I think its the one with the plug at either end for using at hotels and restaurants that supply a power socket you can plug into, does anyone know if that is a standard supply item for vehicles supplied in the USA ?
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There is always emotion behind text. Whether one interprets it correctly or not is the thing. My emotion now is still why did you single my post out to 'splain to when I certainly wasn't the first to post here? And why can't people just say "sorry not my intent" when coming across poorly? As a woman in the tech world it's something I tire of quickly. People don't take kindly to being talked down to. That's all

Straight from the Mini USA site
You can charge your MINI electric at home with the Level 1 charging cord that comes with your MINI Electric – you just need a three-prong outlet.

I have yet to open my stuff up, but I know it's level 1 and 120v. Around here there are no spare plugs though usually in public. Only charging stations. I could use this at my loved ones homes if needed though.
 
Lainey said:
There is always emotion behind text. Whether one interprets it correctly or not is the thing. My emotion now is still why did you single my post out to 'splain to when I certainly wasn't the first to post here? And why can't people just say "sorry not my intent" when coming across poorly? As a woman in the tech world it's something I tire of quickly. People don't take kindly to being talked down to. That's all

Straight from the Mini USA site
You can charge your MINI electric at home with the Level 1 charging cord that comes with your MINI Electric – you just need a three-prong outlet.

I have yet to open my stuff up, but I know it's level 1 and 120v. Around here there are no spare plugs though usually in public. Only charging stations. I could use this at my loved ones homes if needed though.
Click to expand...

Your reply tells me everything I need to know, thank you and "Have a great day"
 
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