C350e tripping RCD

[N_Jepson]

Looks the same as mine (Feb 2016 build)


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[grober]

Looks the same as mine (Feb 2016 build)


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If we presume the latest C350e [feb 2016 build ] would in fact contain the modified charging socket/cable [ possibly one of the reasons owners of older models may have to wait for the necessary modification parts--- new production cars will have "first dibs" in a limited supply situation??] then this would indicate the changes are not immediately visible. I did notice on the parts diagram that there appears to some sort of grommet/plate assembly about half way down the cables pass through- perhaps that's what's been modified?

 

[Dieseldrinker]

If we presume the latest C350e [feb 2016 build ] would in fact contain the modified charging socket/cable [ possibly one of the reasons owners of older models may have to wait for the necessary modification parts--- new production cars will have "first dibs" in a limited supply situation??] then this would indicate the changes are not immediately visible. I did notice on the parts diagram that there appears to some sort of grommet/plate assembly about half way down the cables pass through- perhaps that's what's been modified?

I think I might take some before and after shots of the components below the boot floor when mine goes in which might help identify what parts are changed and potentially what modifications have been made.

 

[wrighty senior]

My car (Jan 2016) has this type of socket. I spray WD40 on it once a week just in case.

 

[Saxon6]

I can't see any difference in the socket from my original (sept15). I understand it is the wiring loom that is modified rather than the socket.

 

[Southy1978]

As promised a few pics from the replacement of the HV battery charger & Plug in point wiring.

General view in the boot once the cover is removed, coolant pump for HV battery sysem on bottom left, 12v battery, rear SAM, HV battery is the large silver unit.

Untitled by Darren Santoro, on Flickr

HV charger still connected, affected lead is the big orange one at the bottom coming from exterior of the body. Kom module mounted on top the charger
Untitled by Darren Santoro, on Flickr

A close up of the affected HV battery charger unit.
Untitled by Darren Santoro, on Flickr

The rear bumper removed exposes the charger plug in point & wiring. You can also see the cable from the HV charger to the battery on the right and the dual HV cable from the battery to the power electrics control unit at the front of the vehicle.
Untitled by Darren Santoro, on Flickr

I hope these shed a bit of light & tie in nicely with the parts catalogue print that grober kindly shared.

 

[Saxon6]

Great to see, thank you. Do you know where / how the moisture is getting in to corrode the connectors that Grober posted?

 

[grober]

Excellent post Southy1978. Probably the first time in the world pictures of the W205 charging hardware have been seen on the net. Have no doubts- there will be MB enthusiasts logging into the forum today from all over the world as well as the UK to see these informative pictures. Lots of electrical gismos in there to get wet!!! One can easily see how a little water/damp getting in is going cause havoc.

 

[Dieseldrinker]

Great photos Southy1978. Really useful to see everything thats there.

When you look at the location of the socket in the bumper it doesn't look to be the most suitable location they could have chosen. Unless there's some sort of shield below it that is part of the bumper, that location is going to get blasted with spray from the wheels and is going to create a damp atmosphere which sooner or later will find its way into the cables and create a problem.

How well protected are the cables in the back of the socket?

 

[grober]

Personally I would suspect that plastic cable "through plate" where the cables enter the boot area.

You can see the black plastic locking tangs that hold it in place at the bottom of Southy1978's picture 2.
It's low down meaning water on the cable is going to run in that direction and from there its a shorter distance to the cable socket on the charger unit where that evidence of shorting is shown on his first pictures. However that is pure speculation on my part and I will leave it to the man himself to tell us where the water ingress occurs.

and

 

[C350esmithy]

Seems to me that they picked the worst position for the socket. It's angled so it will act like a funnel. The position on a Bmw 330e is best as it is vertical and away from the rear were most of the water get sprayed up, into the unsealed flap.

 

[derekthetree]

Awesome photos Southy, really shows how much complexity is back there.

So is it the water seeping through the mounting plate rather than directly through the pins on the socket?

I opened my flap last night and the push/locking pin dripped a bit, and there was condensate in the cavity. The actual socket cover has a rubber seal (not sure if there before?).

I agree with above, the placement seems odd, you would think there are better options, there is even plenty of space next tot he fuel nozzle (perhaps not!)
Also looking at the estate of a colleague there is a subtle difference in the placement between the estate and saloon. Not sure what the ratio of saloon/estate cable fails have been

 

[quonker]

I've just heard from my dealer to say that my vehicle needs a new battery which is going to be a back order item.

Will discuss with them when I pick it up later that the battery is working perfectly and charges when driving etc normally.

It's external charging that is the issue.

Suspect they haven't sold many hybrids

 

[quonker]

I've just heard from my dealer to say that my vehicle needs a new battery which is going to be a back order item.

Will discuss with them when I pick it up later that the battery is working perfectly and charges when driving etc normally.

It's external charging that is the issue.

Suspect they haven't sold many hybrids

They are pretty confident the battery is the issue and the replacement will arrive Tuesday at a cost of £1,300 obviously covered by warrantee.

Thought a HV battery would cost more but assume that is the internal MB price.

Car still charges via CHARGE and works as normal excepting external charge doesn't work.

Glad I chose Brilliant Blue as they've cleaned it and it looks stunning in the twilight.

So, vehicle back in on Wednesday and apparently battery can be changed same day.

 

[derekthetree]

They are pretty confident the battery is the issue and the replacement will arrive Tuesday at a cost of £1,300 obviously covered by warrantee.

Thought a HV battery would cost more but assume that is the internal MB price.

Car still charges via CHARGE and works as normal excepting external charge doesn't work.

Glad I chose Brilliant Blue as they've cleaned it and it looks stunning in the twilight.

So, vehicle back in on Wednesday and apparently battery can be changed same day.

That sounds just like my fault, but they didn't swap my battery, just the cables and control unit. I guess you have to take them at their word? I'd enquire about the cabling as well, based on comments here.

 

[Nath101]

Unfortunately my car joined the tripping club a few weeks ago too. Due to go in later on this month to see what's wrong with it. First blew the 13amp charger. Then a while later the Rolec charger at home started tripping too.

 

[Saxon6]

Sorry to hear that, but look on the bright side, at least MB know what the problem is now so it shouldn't take long to fix.

 

[grober]

They are pretty confident the battery is the issue and the replacement will arrive Tuesday at a cost of £1,300 obviously covered by warrantee.

Thought a HV battery would cost more but assume that is the internal MB price.

Car still charges via CHARGE and works as normal excepting external charge doesn't work.

Glad I chose Brilliant Blue as they've cleaned it and it looks stunning in the twilight.

So, vehicle back in on Wednesday and apparently battery can be changed same day.

I suspect you may have been misinformed possibly by someone with little immediate knowledge of the exact nature of the problem . This particularly if the battery is still recharging via the engine but not externally by the socket ? Price would also be more in line with a new internal charger and charging cable.

 

[Dieseldrinker]

I agree with Grober, if the battery is still charging via the CHARGE mode it can't be the battery at fault, so must be something between the socket and battery.

 

[flango]

Guys I'm sure you are aware of this but over on the EV forum there is a massive problem with Rolec 32 amp home chargers tripping the RCD, involves all sorts of different cars too so looks like the problem could be with the charge points not the cars

VW recommend PodPoint due to previous charging issues

Just thought I'd post in case you were not aware