A2Z Tesla and Charge Fault

[A2ZEV]

Friends,

I'm in dire straits here. My A2Z adapter has failed, at least, that's how it appears. I'm currently stranded in Baton Rouge. I've used my A2Z for both Plug and Charge as well as via the Tesla App. Today, after pulling in to charge, it failed with a fault after a few minutes. It was charging normally before then. Since that issue, it will not charge at all. I tried multiple stalls, a different Supercharger all together... The nearest EA station is down and the next closes is 70 miles away via I10 when I'm sitting at a 8kW L2 at 12%. This sucks. Really bad. A2Z didn't pick up the times I tried calling, so I guess I'm sitting here until I have enough to limp to EA and then never touch a Tesla station until I have my official Ford adapter.

I tried everything folks, ensured it was open, inserted the Tesla end, and locked it. It's worked fine before this. But now, nothing. Plug and Charge just flashes red. Trying via the app says it can't connect to the truck. I don't know what's causing it but man I'm both seriously frustrated and embarrassed. I guess my dog and I will sit here for the next few hours.

My first honest to God nightmare charging story and it's happening while I'm driving a thousand miles for work.

Hi,

Customer is returning calls right now as they were saturated earlier.

Thank you.

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[RickLightning]

I'll give this a shot. I wondered if it was a vehicle issue since Tesla could tell the charger was connected but they there was no communication from the truck. I'll shut it off for a while and see if that works. I had shut it off and let it power completely down when I was troubleshooting at the Supercharger but I didn't have it off super long. Too busy panicking about how I'm going to make it to San Antonio I guess lol.

Believe me I can understand it.

We lost the HVBJB on our Mach-E on day 2 of a multi-week trip. Panicked a bit. Was drivable for a few thousand miles more, but DC fast charging was a max of 46kW, most of the time 40-42. 90 minute charge sessions for many days of driving.

@Mike G, you on to maybe look at vehicle remotely?

 

[TheBigBezo]

We found a temporary solution. I'm holding the cord so the tension doesn't pull it forward. We don't know exactly why, but I think the short cords may have damaged my charging port. I'll try a CCS station in an hour and report back. If I let go, it will fault out.

 

[TheBigBezo]

For reference, this is how far forward I am and how much tension is present. I let go slowly and it seems to be working properly now.

 

[TheWoo]

For reference, this is how far forward I am and how much tension is present. I let go slowly and it seems to be working properly now.

Lateral tension has caused faults for me before at CCS chargers. I'd definitely recommend your pulling further forward next time. You have lots of space.

The short cables are an issue for a variety of reasons, but this is a big one. Glad you got it working!

 

[Binski]

UPDATE:
Problem solved. The locking mechanism was very very tight, not going into the full lock position.

Thanks to Amir from A2Z for taking time on a Saturday to trouble shoot the problem. As I use the lock more it seems to work great.

Quote Reply

 

[TheBigBezo]

Lateral tension has caused faults for me before at CCS chargers. I'd definitely recommend your pulling further forward next time. You have lots of space.

The short cables are an issue for a variety of reasons, but this is a big one. Glad you got it working!

I'm driving solo so it's hard to get super close since I don't want to also hit the charger. I hear you though, at my next stop I got even closer.

That said, it would fail even if I held it. It would start up for a second and then fail. I popped over to the nearby EA CCS station and it plug n charge'd on the first try. A2Z and I are talking, if they agree I can send them my adapter back and take a new one. Maybe there's something uniquely wrong I encountered? Talk about bad luck though lol, they mentioned on the phone they've never seen an issue like this before.

 

[FLSpartan04]

Regardless, A2Z’s customer service seems excellent. I think I’ll order one if I need to road trip before September (when my Ford on is supposed to arrive).

 

[TomB985]

UPDATE:
Problem solved. The locking mechanism was very very tight, not going into the full lock position.

Thanks to Amir from A2Z for taking time on a Saturday to trouble shoot the problem. As I use the lock more it seems to work great.


Quote Reply

I’m glad to hear you got it working! I quickly learned to check the lock position before plugging in, and the tight fit makes it easy to partially seat the Tesla connector into the A2Z adapter.

If you can’t see the entire OPEN label, it’s not far enough in to latch. Sometimes rubber grommets from a Tesla charge port can stick into the Supercharger handle and prevent seating. If you absolutely can’t get it to seat, try its neighbor.

 

[ninjaybot]

Plug and charge failed for me and gave the same fault red ring. I tried the Tesla app to pay, boom it worked.

 

[RickLightning]

I'm driving solo so it's hard to get super close since I don't want to also hit the charger. I hear you though, at my next stop I got even closer.

That said, it would fail even if I held it. It would start up for a second and then fail. I popped over to the nearby EA CCS station and it plug n charge'd on the first try. A2Z and I are talking, if they agree I can send them my adapter back and take a new one. Maybe there's something uniquely wrong I encountered? Talk about bad luck though lol, they mentioned on the phone they've never seen an issue like this before.

Turn on 360 camera, then pull forward until tires touch curb. I did that when I charged every time.

 

[RickLightning]

Regardless, A2Z’s customer service seems excellent. I think I’ll order one if I need to road trip before September (when my Ford on is supposed to arrive).

Keep in mind that there is currently a wait (currently stating 5/14 - 5/21), and only Ford and Rivian owners can currently use it. GM is coming, and others and that wait may increase. The Typhoon adapter is $197 (DC charging). The Stellar adapter is $111 (AC charging, i.e. Destination chargers). Total of $308. If you select both from their dropdown menu, you pay $280, a discount of 10%. Then, if you use coupon SaveOnA2ZEVAdapter , you save a further 5%, i.e. $266 total.

 

[TomB985]

Turn on 360 camera, then pull forward until tires touch curb. I did that when I charged every time.

I’ve gotten into the habit of putting the nose to the right of the Supercharger unit so I can’t hit anything. Sometimes I have to touch the curb, but it all depends on layout.

And you’ve gotta get creative pulling a trailer.

 

[RickLightning]

I’ve gotten into the habit of putting the nose to the right of the Supercharger unit so I can’t hit anything. Sometimes I have to touch the curb, but it all depends on layout.

And you’ve gotta get creative pulling a trailer.

Yeah, I nosed between the two chargers.

At one location, I simply drove up the sidewalk behind them.

 

[TomB985]

Yeah, I nosed between the two chargers.

At one location, I simply drove up the sidewalk behind them.

I’ve thought about that, but I’m concerned about causing damage over the long-term. Our Lightnings are some of the heaviest light-duty vehicles on the road, so I try and stay off curbs and grass. That’s probably a better option than taking up two Supercharger spots at a busy site, though.