Welcome to the Brave New World of EVs.

Renault UK haven't got a clue how their cars are designed. They'll tell you anything, and will happily say something is both broken AND that it is meant to work like that. "They all do that, mate, innit" is their general response.

Keep a log of all your communications and get ready for a complaint to the Motor Ombudsman. The best course of action for your peace of mind and minimum stress (assuming your bank balance can tolerate it) is to request a formal quote for the work, provide a written objection to the cost but that you will pay it, however you will appeal the costs to the Motor Ombudsman.

That way, you are only writing one letter to RUK and one to the Motor Ombudsman, and you can get on with your life and avoid having to continually stress over a broken down car wondering what you should do about it.

Just IMHO ...

Once it is all fixed and you are in a position to do so, get shot of the car and get something else. Owning a Zoe is something I would only recommend to my evil enemies.

 

I'd probably contact Cleevely EV and ask them. Renault like to weasel out of the warranty if possible.

 

Renault like to weasel out of the warranty if possible.

Yep. They actually employ weasels, most of whom have done a Masters in Professional Weaseling Studies at Weasel University in Weasleton, and are encouraged to join as professional members of the Institute of Double Gobbledygook and Weasel Words.

Well, I think that's true, "AFAIK"?

 

and would this YT video help you out at all locating whereabouts parts are and the fix needed?

 

Is any of the charging related gubbins covered under the battery lease? That's another avenue to explore just in case it's possible to get it repaired that way. I can never remember whether some of it is or not.

 

I wouldnt have thought so no personally, you have your guarantee of if the traction battery goes under (what is it 73% SOH or something) they will replace defective cells or whole battery tray , and then just punctures and breakdown tow to nearest garage or charger but thats about it I think on that battery rental charge

 

The warranty document online suggests this is what the powertrain warranty covers:

Electric powertrain consists of:
1 - Motor
2 - Reduction Gear
3 - Charger - box interconnection
4 - EVC Controller
5 - Inverter
6 - DCDC converter
7 - Connecting high voltage cables between these components

I agree with the poster above - try Cleevely EV and see what they say - if not covered by the warranty they may at least be able to offer a replacement at a lower cost.

There may also be a HEVRA garage closer to you who can help.

 

Not really sure but on observation a lot seems to depend on the dealer. They're the first line and often just refuse people at the outset, and then HQ back them up. Or say yeah we'll cover it, and also get backed up.

Probably worth asking in RZOC if you're on Facebook (they also have a traditional forum, I'm not sure many people use it). Various people either working for Renault or in close contact with them post there and if you do have a good argument they'll know which strings to pull. Could possibly involve getting it transferred to somewhere like DSG in Morecambe, one of the club dealers, as if it CAN be covered then they're pretty honest about it.

Or indeed CleeveleyEV

 

Not really sure but on observation a lot seems to depend on the dealer. They're the first line and often just refuse people at the outset, and then HQ back them up. Or say yeah we'll cover it, and also get backed up.

Yep.

Or vice versa.

Which implies what? It means dealers and concessionaires don't know what they are talking about half the time.

Ask here if you want the actual answer to ANY question related to BEVs, but don't expect dealers and concessionaires to agree with it, because they like to guess!!

 

Sounds to me like those parts are being given pseudonyms so that o/p won't realise they are in the power train.

Also, it's possible they could say that a particular part not covered by the guarantee was faulty, charge you for that, but actually replace a part that is covered by the guarantee. Thus turning a guarantee repair into a chargeable repair.

 

I agree the OP should request full details, he paid for the diagnostic so the output should be at the level of written professional detail, not a fob-off on the 'phone.

Like I said, that doesn't actually matter right now if the OP wants the least-mental-stress route, which is simply to pay the piper in the first instance along with a note of objection to the repair costs.

What he paid for is then all in B&W and there is no mistaking what part of the car it was.

 

That would be fraud, but is not unknown. Always ask for the replaced parts and dispose of them yourself to avoid them being reused.
Paranoid? Just because I am doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you.

 

Paranoid? Just because I am doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you.

It's the ones who aren't paranoid that have something to worry about. ... Oh, errr ..

 

Check the warrenty docs - not sure the 2017 docs are still online.
It says the charger interconnection is covered on later models, so I think it should be covered.

 

There's a common-ish issue with Zoe where one of the relays in the BCB "welds" itself shut when connected to a faulty 3 phase charge point. However I thought that it was prevented by 2017 production but @yoh-there the expert on Zoe will be able to confirm.
Out of interest, did you try a public charge point the time before this issue started? If so, the repair is quite cheap* for a specialist like Clevely.
* Three figures rather than four.

 

If that relay is welded, it will blow the fuses of any 3 phase charger. It will charge single phase. If the relay or control circuit is broken, it will simply not charge on one phase, but will on 3 phase. Seen both (not on mine, but first hand accounts, latter case I witnessed myself on a mate's ZOE). Yes the issue of a faultily wired chargepoint being able to weld the relay was fixed in software, bit I don't know the exact date. A fairly good guess it is fixed with the software pack that includes 0854 on the LBC. CanZE is your friend here (SSP).

If your car is fixed under warranty, you will a,most certainly not get hold of the replaced parts. AFAIK they are returned to Renault. Makes sense to me, they can, at their convenience of course, decide to post-mortem them.

To answer the OP's question: The Filter unit (which contains said relay) is absolutely an integrated part of the power-train. I doubt it helps me saying that, but there it is. The cable from the filter to the nose could be debatable I guess. Expensive thingy BTW.

 

@btonEV
That's the most accurate advice that you'll get. You should fight this hard - push the garage and Renault hard. Clearly they should be paying. And let us know how you get on and what the fault is.