Help ....Charging Flap

[EssJayKay]

I've tried everything apart from taking a screw driver to it!!

But I can't open the flap to charge my car any suggestions gratefully received

[Deleted User 192]

With the car fully unlocked (press the unlock on the key twice) you push the flap at the rear edge - that should be all that is needed.

[EssJayKay]

With the car fully unlocked (press the unlock on the key twice) you push the flap at the rear edge - that should be all that is needed.

Thanks I'll give it a go

[EssJayKay]

It was the double blip that made the difference not mentioned in the handbook

Thank you

[TomB]

Just had the problem with the charger flap not opening when I went to charge the car after it had been parked for several hours. In despair on fourth charge since purchase. Many thanks, your tip worked. The car had to be fooled into thinking I had just got out of the car from a drive. Then it sprang open immediately.

[DHail]

Mine wouldn’t open even with keyless entry set to ‘All’ open. Started to drive to VW garage for help and then thought to stop and try to open... hey presto! Not had an issue so put it down to software glitch. In for 2.1 software so high hopes it will be gone forever!

[Glasgowsheep]

Just had the problem with the charger flap not opening when I went to charge the car after it had been parked for several hours. In despair on fourth charge since purchase. Many thanks, your tip worked. The car had to be fooled into thinking I had just got out of the car from a drive. Then it sprang open immediately.

Id3 forum saves the day.
Just did exactly that, jumped back out the car and flap opened. Panic averted

[monkeyhanger]

Ours are sometimes a little stiff, requiring a hard press (harder than I've ever had to press on any of our ICE VWs) at the very end of the flap, on the upper half, just above the crease.

It's like the disengagement click of the latch is at the very end of travel on it, rather than 2/3 pushed in.

[ProstetnicVogonJeltz]

You do have to press "unlock" twice to unlock the charging flap. And remember - to disconnect the cable you have to unlock then pull it out within 30 seconds. It probably tells you both these facts somewhere in the manual (paper or online) but this is so generic and wordy that it's not easy to find what you want.

[AndersG]

"You do have to press "unlock" twice to unlock the charging flap" - Great! I was already reaching for the crowbar.. Wife just sighs about cars where you need constant access to Google to operate

[Me@id3forum]

The advice was very helpful after mine wouldn't open

[des.fegan]

I've tried everything - but cannot get the flap to open

I charged the car on a fast charger 2 days ago and when it finished I found it difficult to close the flap. The catch on the car side appeared as if it hadn't fully released and when it was pressed, the catch "released" that then allowed to flap to close.

Charged at home yesterday with no issues - but the flap wont open tonight no matter what I try

Is there any way to get at the flap from inside the boot?

Or any other ideas?

[sidehaas]

I've tried everything - but cannot get the flap to open

I charged the car on a fast charger 2 days ago and when it finished I found it difficult to close the flap. The catch on the car side appeared as if it hadn't fully released and when it was pressed, the catch "released" that then allowed to flap to close.

Charged at home yesterday with no issues - but the flap wont open tonight no matter what I try

Is there any way to get at the flap from inside the boot?

Or any other ideas?

Not uncommon fault on VWs, the solenoid controlling the charge flap lock fails, I think due to water ingress over time.
Sometimes you can get it open by repeatedly pressing unlock on your key fob and simultaneously pressing the flap to open it (both as fast as you can). If the solenoid has completely gone this won't work. I think you are then left with forcing it, using something won't damage the paint.
If you are still under warranty, ideally book it in at a dealer ASAP to fix. They can take full responsibility for sorting it out. If you break it open first, they might cover the solenoid under warranty but charge you for whatever you broke.
If not under warranty, the solenoid can be replaced yourself as a DIY job. Parts aren't very expensive (£10s not £100s). You might need some plastic trim removal tools. There are guides and videos that people have uploaded to the UK VW ID3 owners Facebook group.

[Rab3L]

It begs the question of why the flap is locked! You'd need a V2H charger to make any use of any access.

My flap unlocks with one click, along with the driver's door. You can change how the car unlocks in infotainment.

[Rab3L]

It begs the question of why the flap is locked. You would need a V2H charger to make use of it. One click of my remote unlocks the driver's door and the flap. You can change the setup in infotainment.

[Midgex]

...
Is there any way to get at the flap from inside the boot?

...

Yes.
Look on the right side inside the boot for an unobvious perforated flap in the lining, a little lower than you might expect.
Undo it, opening up the perforated outline.
There is a loop on a wire which you pull down.

[StewartManley]

Is there any way to get at the flap from inside the boot?

Yes. Look on the right side inside the boot for an unobvious perforated flap in the lining, a little lower than you might expect.
Undo it, opening up the perforated outline.
There is a loop on a wire which you pull down.

No. That does not release the charge flap. It's the emergency release for the charge cable.

[Midgex]

Is there any way to get at the flap from inside the boot?

...

No. That does not release the charge flap. It's the emergency release for the charge cable.

Ah yes. It would be handy if it did, I suppose, but reasonably enough the flap is assumed to be open. My bad.

[Nerdy]

Same here on the 31st December.
Ended with VW assist forcing/breaking open the flap

Waiting for replacement parts now

[Midgex]

Prophylaxis?
Squirt of WD40 from time to time??
I've not done anything with mine, does the panel recommend anything?