That's very unhelpful of ZE Assist. If it is chucking up errors on rapids then I'd also expect it to start having errors when you drove it too.

Are there any medium speed chargers eg 11kw? I think if you have a Q you need a three phase charger to get more than 3kw ish? A 11kw or 22kw but not the full 43kw might just get the charge speed up a bit. I'd sit on the one you are already on for about an hour then find a better one. You may have to do an hour on a charger then drive a bit then another hour and when you find a charger that seems to charge at a better rate then stick on that until it's full. I'd also make sure you have shoved the connector in as firmly as possible and check that it doesn't have any wiggle room when it's plugged in. Also check there isn't any debris in the connector on your car in case there's a bit of crud in there and that's why it's being daft.

If the car is a 67 plate then I'd be contacting the dealer you bought it from and asking them to sort it out an mentioning rejecting the car as it's so new . I'm assuming a dealer can request help from ZEAssist. I certainly wouldn't be happy if my few month old brand new car packed up and the manufacturer help basically said lump it and crawl home when they know full well these kinds of electrical errors lead to drive mode failure.

 

Cheers

Am going to stay in this one for the full 4 hours allowed (mrs and kids have gone off and got tube to destination) I am on charger by Regent’s Park

After that will limp up m1 and use the 22kw at the services just north of J14 to get a decent charge to get us home

Yes charger was locked in properly. No sign of anything blocking it

Tried Harvester at M1 j9. Holiday inn at same junction. Bmw Watford. Holiday Inn Watford. The Grove Watford. All Polar Ultrachargers and just to rule out the brand of charger (although never had a problem with ultrachargers before) I tried a different brand at Barnet station but same result

 

If you have family with you then it's even worse of ZE Assist just to basically leave you there without help. I'd give them another call later. You might get someone with a bit more common sense.

 

Not much up on error codes but just ran CanZE and seems to have loads of stored error codes.

 

3kW and 7kW home chargers are single phase
Anything more is 3 phase.

Never seen this problem on this forum, but it might be 3 phase charging it doesn’t like.

I would not rely on the 22 kW working.

Anybody with a home charger nearby ? plugshare ?

 

@stageshoot Is today the first time you have tried to charge on a rapid?

 

No done 3000 miles in the 2 weeks we have had it and done many rapid chargers including on the ones it’s failed on today with no issues before

 

So after speaking to Z.E. assist again my options are
1: stay and charge here then limp it home and take it to my local dealer. (Problem with this is local dealer have said they have no investigation slots for Z.E. or loan cars till after Christmas) so if car goes to them will be off road till new year

2: Renault assist recover it to local London dealer again could be weeks before looked at Renault said will provide loan car for a couple of days but can not confirm going forward

3: supplying dealer is saying get it recovered to them and they will look at it after weekend, (said by salesman when rejection was mentioned) but if Renault Assist will agree to have it transported from London to Salisbury is another matter

Coming from a BMW i3 I have not encountered this sort of pass the buck service before

Will give the Mrs a couple of hours to finish her shopping etc and then decide how best to proceed


On the bright side the slow charge on the 7kw post I am on seems to have speeded up. Up to 30% already and saying 5 hours to full so seems to have gone to 7kw now

 

What a crappy situation AND handling As we say: trust comes by foot and leaves by horse.

The DTC's seem to indicate a problem in the neutral current sensor. That current should be close to zero with 3 phases charging. Either the sensor is broken, or it is indeed reporting a serious problem being unbalanced uptake over the 3 phases. In any way it seems fair to conclude the problem is in the car. I agree with @BogieMan that 22kW therefor might show the same problem. If the problem is an edge case of course it may work, but for heaven sake plan for a backup, if only that 7 kW you're on now.

I am pessimistic about a speedy repair. Of course it can be a quick fix re-seating a cable or something like that, but a PEC replacement is a more probable outcome, ad that is very dependant on that box being stocked/ quickly available, notwithstanding the dealers attitude. Adding to my pessimism is that I have never seen this particular message on any forum. Pessimistic <> Hopeful.

 

Thank you, If I can get it to near 100% I can limp the 145 miles home at 55mph

Luckily I have my spare 10 metre single phase charge cable in the boot as well as the Renault 3 phase one so if the 22kw charger acts up on three phase I can use the single phase cable to trick it into taking 7kw

Still not sure if I should limp it home then battle with the supplying dealer after the weekend or just get Renault assist to take it away

Supplying dealer has now phoned back to say they can’t deal with it Salisbury as no Z.E. Tech now so want it recovering to their other location at Poole in Dorset, so not sure how helpful Renault assist would be with that

Although if worst comes to worst re rejection I suppose as long as it’s at a Renault dealer it’s up to them to sort out

Don’t want to start thinking out rejecting it but can’t be in an unreliable car and can’t be waiting over a month for repairs. I wasn’t even supposed to be in this trip today Vicky was going with kids on her own which would have been a nightmare for her to face this alone

 

All three Zoe's I have charged at Michelin tyres 22kW Siemens charger sometimes (not always) show that exact message for a few seconds then charge begins ok, that charge point is connected to 2 large wind turbines, the charge mostly comes from them but on less windy days can be from grid. Don't know if any of this is relevant but it is the very same message.

 

On this one on each Rapid I used it was the same, the cable locked in but the rapid showed connect cable after a couple of thunks from the rapid the screen went red. I left it connected and it cycled a couple of times but then the rapid went offline with a red x on screen and message about wrong cable used or cable not connected. Then needed an estoppel to reset the rapid

 

This sporadic unreliability (coupled with indifferent customer service) is the reason I've not purchased a Zoe. I'm certain that an EV fits my wife's needs perfectly but after 5 years of Honda Jazz ownership I can't risk having her stranded.
The Jazz has been 100% dependable.
I think I'll give it a few more years with ICE...

 

I'd want Renault Assist to take it away and bring you a hire car today right to wherever you are and they can jolly well provide it until they fix the car. It's not your fault Renault have made an iffy zoe. Then they can argue over who fixes it and at least you have another car with fuel paid for while they faff around. Then if a second fault occurs on the Zoe I'd go straight for rejection at that point.

If they don't want to be helpful then it sounds like rejection is the best option now as you don't want an unreliable car and poor after sales. It's a 67 plate car. If they're not bending over backwards to help they really have no idea how to treat customers.

 

I shouldn't engage in this diversion of the thread, but I am amazed by these stories that pop up with some regularity here in the UK forum. Case in point: SWMBO & daughter make a stop at my dealer (30 miles out) for a needed top up to get home on a Saturday afternoon. Only sales-guy there, she nicely asks and "off course you can, want coffee etc?", only to find after half an hour the car hasn't charged at all. All baffled. Sales-guy makes a call, within 10 minutes chief mechanic arrives (his day off), rips open the R-Link bezel to reset the TCU, under the bonnet, etc, and has them charging in no time. Dealer is everything IMHO. Not about what they say (whining along with the client feels so good eh?), but what they do. They have a very loyal customer in me. BTW, the problem seemed to be the chargepoint in this case, not the car.

 

I agree with you re: dealer, but we are not getting the full picture. The reason why the OP is being told he can have a hire car for only 2 days is that is what ZE assist can do. ZE Assist cannot say that RCS will then sort them out with a hire car for the rest of the fix. However, it is extremely likely that this is what RCS will do and the OP will be sorted until the fix is complete and he has his car back. I have to say extremely likely as I am not RCS, but I can't see why not.

PS ZE Assist will come to where you are, pick up the car, arrange for a car to be brought to you and then deal with getting the car repaired. It's all part of the service. Don't forget I've been Flat-bedded 3 times and whilst not fun EV Assist at least made it palatable. I have a lot of faith in them.

 

Right plan is when at 70% going to head up to Northampton. Will try the 22kw on the m1 at J14 have to nip to Dr Martens Factory near Wellingborough. If can’t charge then will give up and get recovery out and continue in whatever they provide

As I know if I call recovery now it’s got a charge in it they will whinge about I should have continued journey on power I had

 

Good luck, hope you get it all sorted. All these break downs can't be doing Renault's reputation any good.

 

If it's 2 weeks old then you are within the easy right to reject period.... I'd definitely mention if they provide a non electric alternative they'll have to stump up for parking and congestion charge on top. Should focus them a bit on getting it sorted faster.

I'd think the 1500 miles a week will make them wince at the fuel costs as well...

 

Cheers

At least an old enough and ugly enough to deal with it

Try having an MG Midget blow its heater tap out of the cylinder block on the m1 and trying to get that repaired (early 80s). (Blanking plate cut from can of Coke )

These things happen just glad Mrs and kids were not stranded on own.


It’s getting there. Never been in a car waiting for a 7kw Charge before. Like watching paint dry

 

Cheers

At least an old enough and ugly enough to deal with it

Try having an MG Midget blow its heater tap out of the cylinder block on the m1 and trying to get that repaired (early 80s). (Blanking plate cut from can of Coke )

These things happen just glad Mrs and kids were not stranded on own.

Had that happen in a Mantra going along the Autobahn. Big hole in side of block. Fortunately this wasn't a classic, was just everyday car at the time and so the bit was readily available. Didn't help that I had my FLt Lt of the time in with me.

 

What are the battery temperatures on CanZE ?

Didn’t realise you were only getting 3 kW on a 7 kW post, hope you get back OK.

Could it be that the car was drawing so little on the rapid that the rapid shut down ?

 

What are the battery temperatures on CanZE ?

Didn’t realise you were only getting 3 kW on a 7 kW post, hope you get back OK.

Getting 7kw now (other car sharing post has gone now)

Batteries are between 18 and 20c now

 

I’d push it over a cliff and claim on the insurance !






Whoops, just seen your profile description !

 

Like this fine upstanding gent who assured me he was only driving his girlfriends Focus ST around a roundabout at less than 10mph when the wheel fell off for no reason ;-) and his 20+ points for speeding had no bearing on why the car was insured and registered to her. He was just doing her a favour driving it home for her.

 

Ok work this out

Got to jnc14 tried the Polar at MK Coachway. Still same error

Went to services north of J14 tried Ecotricity Rapid Still no go same error

Plugged into 22kw medium box that worked fine

Tried rapid again and this time it worked

Now up to Kettering and Polar Ultracharger working

So plugging into the 22kw box seems to have cleared something

Very odd but back on the road at least for today

 

The BCI problem behaves in a similar manner. Very frightening when it happens and then it clears. Weird.

Glad it's cleared up for you.

 

Thanks to all that offered advice.

Will still get it booked in for dealer to look at. It needs to go in anyway as the leather on drivers seat has started to peel already after 2 weeks

 

I’m hoping that @yoh-there will post a reply as he understands the charging protocols rather well and might shed some light on this. It’s such a pain trying to sort out intermittent problems, I hope it doesn’t return and your confidence in the car increases.

Let’s see what codes they find, Derby Renault were reasonable when my gearbox dropped its oil.

What I did take from this was you did get back because the 40kWh gave you the range to try many chargers. My 22 kWh would have ended on a flatbed.

 

Yes the 40kw gave me a chance to try a lot of alternatives. Having done about 140 miles before trying the first charger I had about 30 miles left so plenty of choices around Watford before giving up and heading a a reliable 7kw post near Regent’s Park

I think the Zoe is a great car and unbeatable on the value front, just feel the dealer and support side is lacking compared to the i3

Will see how it goes next week and what pops out of diagnostics when it goes in

 

Sorry to hear of your troubles. There is a lot of technology packed into the car and unfortunately this can mean when a fault develops (especially if intermittent) it really needs a trained technician to diagnose the problem. From reading on these forums, some dealers seem better than others at doing that. All I can suggest is take lots of photos, keep a copy of any DTC codes you extract and if you are lucky, you might get to speak directly to one of the technicians who then stand a chance of fixing the problem. In regards to Renault Assist, I find trying to maintain composure but being very firm usually yields a more positive result. I always try to de-personalise a situation whenever I talk to a helpdesk - "I know it's not your fault etc but I really need your help". Usually this gets a better response than ranting down the phone (not accusing you of that).

 

Hi @yoh-there

Again thanks for your input and "CanZe" Excellent bit of work

Maybe some confusion here as unlike a BCI (Which I have had several of already trying to use the dodgy chargers around Sheffield). There was no spanner with this situation.

(Now I am at home on a PC I will type it out the way it happend (Sorry will be a bit long winded but at least it will show all details).. And I must say at this point that all the Rapids that gave problems I have used before in the last week or so with NO Issues at all on the Zoe.

Arrived at Harvester Flamstead with about 40miles left on GOM, After 140 Miles or so drive from home,

Harvester Flamstead (Polar Ultracharger). Activated with RFID, Selected Type2 Plugged in, Plug Locked to car and dash showed Ongoing Checks, but unusually the Charger kept showing Connect to Car. After a couple of mins Charger clicked and Card flashed red with error. Unplugged it and tried again, same outcome but this time as well as car showing Power Cut While Charging Charger went to Red X on Screen with message Wrong Cable Type Or Cable Error.

As soon as cable removed from car, errors on dash cleared no spanner nothing left to suggest an issue.

Put it down to a Faulty Ultrachager (Not Uncommon), and moved on to the Holiday Inn just down the road

Holiday Inn Luton South (Polar Ultracharger) Same Outcome as above. Except this time I tried the lock and walk away went to loo etc and let it reset between tries. Final outcome the same with the Red X on Charger.

Decided to move onto Watford as plenty of posts to Try.

BMW Watford (Polar Ultracharger) Same Issue as Above.

Decided now to change tack as Asda Was Next Door. Went to Asda and tried the 7kw post Polar. That charged but was showing a charge time of over 14 hours, didnt plan to stop there just wanted to check charging system was serviceable so I could carry on

The Grove Hotel Watford (Polar Ultracharger), Leaf had just plugged in so could not use

Holiday Inn Watford (Polar Ultracharger), Same outcome as first couple of attempts PowerCut When Charging on Dash (That went away without prmopting as soon as cable removed) and Red X on Charger

At this point had 25 Miles left so decided as we knew 7kw was working to Limp to Central London

On Way stopped at a Brent Cross Underground Station and tried the ESB Triple Header, This one was different as unusually it had CCS and Chademo showing on screen but no Type2 Button, plugged in type2 anyway, but after a while it came up with a connection error message. Cant say this was the car as it could have been charger so moved on

Parked up at Regents Park on the Polar 7Kw Posts, I spent 6 hours sat there while Vicky and Kids shot off into London do do their bits for the day.

After that we headed up the M1, Stopped at Milton Keynes Coachway.

Milton Keynes Coachway (Polar DBT Rapid) Selected Type2 Plugged in Few clicks Charger Errored and Locked out Type2, Same Power Cut Message on Dash.

Went a bit further up M1

M1 Newport Pagnall Services
EcoT Rapid was on Free Vend so tried it, (Same Result as MK Coachway)
RFIDd into the 22Kw Post, car charged straight away. No Errors
Tried the EcoT Rapid again, this time it worked fine,.

Carried on the the DocMartens Factory in Rushden, And from there across to the Holiday Inn at Kettering

Holiday Inn Kettering (Polar Ultracharger) RFIDd in Selected Type2 and it worked straight away. Wandered over to the Harvester and got a meal.

Was there 57 Mins and went for 30% to 92% (28Kw ish). Happy with that as a lot of the charge was in the slower above 50% selection.

From there onto home no issues plugged in and charged overnight at home no issues.

Maybe I am mad and should have thrown in the towel and got recovery after the first few issues, maybe its gone forever maybe it will be back next week, Dont know, But all I can say is the entire time I was sat there trying this I had the IT Crowds "Have You Turned It Off And On Again" Ringing through my head!

 

Maybe I am mad and should have thrown in the towel and got recovery after the first few issues

I think you did the right thing. My first flat bed was a BCI (it was at Charnock Richard, a well known BCI spot). I now know that with a bit of patience I could have done the raindance TM. and moved on to the next MSA north and it would have worked. I didn't, and called EVAssist, who were brilliant, and got fltabedded to my dealer and so lost out on our trip to the lakes.

You win some, you lose some.