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New software update, 80% limit, Terrible charging experience.

13292 Views 85 Replies 33 Participants Last post by p7wang, Jan 9, 2022

p7wang

Discussion Starter · Dec 7, 2021 (Edited)

2

After my 2019 Bolt got updated to 883 and getting a relay changed out under warranty,

www.chevybolt.org

Error code P0AA1 00

So just an update on my new software update. My Bolt had a P0AA1 00 code and the service advisor told me GM told them to swap my battery with another Bolt on the lot. Seems they did not do that. Instead, they replaced contactor inside the battery disconnect relay. Sounds like the disconnect...

www.chevybolt.org

www.chevybolt.org

...I stopped by Terrible's Chevron station in Jean, NV (the last free DCFC before entering Las Vegas)... everything seems normal except the 80% charge display now shows 75%. And the last few pct had the usual drastic drop in charge rate (as if you're approaching 100%). From 13%, I charged 61 min to 77% and I gave up at 80 min/79% as it dropped from 3 kW to 2 kW. So, for road trips, put a limit of 75% on ABRP... 80% is not really attainable unless you're on L2 charging overnight.

Computer Personal computer Output device Gas Computer monitor accessory

Gas Machine Technology Gadget Display device

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1 - 20 of 86 Posts

XJ12

· #2 · Dec 7, 2021

p7wang said:
80% is not really attainable

That is terrible.

Reactions: 5

Bolt Action

· #3 · Dec 7, 2021

Sorry, p7wang, but which new software update is this? The one from last month with additional battery monitoring? It limits L2 charging, as well?

p7wang

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 7, 2021

The latest that caps you at 80%.

GJETSON

· #5 · Dec 8, 2021

Thanks so much. Sounds like I will be avoiding this one for sure.

Reactions: 2

cwerdna

· #6 · Dec 8, 2021

This is the 883 80% cap one (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RMISC-21V560-5337.pdf and https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCSB-21V560-5443.pdf). I noticed too when charging on free L2 w/the 883, I set target charge level 2 80% and at some point after you hit 16 bars, the charge rate per the car's dash display does get real slow, like to 2 or 3 kW (green light still blinking) even though I shut off the heater, AC and auto-defog. Since it's Tesla J1772, I can't get data or a graph from it. On those EVSEs, I see 7 kW per dash display w/no HVAC usage and below 16 bars.

I also noticed that after charging stopped (Bolt's light turned solid), the battery coolant pump was running and those hoses were cool and vibrating when I lifted the hood. This is in addition to the driver's side tank for the OBC, DC to DC converter, etc. loop pump running (vibration in those hoses + noises). Outside air temp was about 53 F at the time (at night, past midnight). IIRC, it didn't get above 60 F that day.

I need to get Torque Pro and compatible dongle some day.

Bottom line is that for L2 w/883, if time is of the essence, power up your car once you hit 16 bars and watch the rate. If it's well below 7 kW, take off.

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Pete Blair

· #7 · Dec 8, 2021

Ouch

dborn

· #8 · Dec 8, 2021

cwerdna said:
This is the 883 80% cap one (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RMISC-21V560-5337.pdf and https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCSB-21V560-5443.pdf). I noticed too when charging on free L2 w/the 883, I set target charge level 2 80% and at some point after you hit 16 bars, the charge rate per the car's dash display does get real slow, like to 2 or 3 kW (green light still blinking) even though I shut off the heater, AC and auto-defog. Since it's Tesla J1772, I can't get data or a graph from it. On those EVSEs, I see 7 kW per dash display w/no HVAC usage and below 16 bars.

I also noticed that after charging stopped (Bolt's light turned solid), the battery coolant pump was running and those hoses were cool and vibrating when I lifted the hood. This is in addition to the driver's side tank for the OBC, DC to DC converter, etc. loop pump running (vibration in those hoses + noises). Outside air temp was about 53 F at the time (at night, past midnight). IIRC, it didn't get above 60 F that day.

I need to get Torque Pro and compatible dongle some day.

Bottom line is that for L2 w/883, if time is of the essence, power up your car once you hit 16 bars and watch the rate. If it's well below 7 kW, take off.

Here's my EVSE's power consumption when I charged to 80% after the -883 recall:

Rectangle Font Line Plot Slope

So in the last 25 minutes before reaching 80% it gradually tapers down to about 1.9kW
Not sure at which battery charge level it starts to go down though.
For sure, after there was some conditioning going on but since my garage is at 10C (50F), I was assuming it was warming up and not cooling down.

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Packard V8

· #9 · Dec 8, 2021

A local Bolt owner fought with the dealership for a couple of months to force them to install the current software update and now is bitching to anyone who will listen how it's screwed up his charging. Your results may vary.

jack vines, who has not been inside the dealership for any reason since buying new in early 2017. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

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surgeonFWW

· #10 · Dec 8, 2021

p7wang said:
... and I gave up at 80 min/79% as it dropped from 3 kW to 2 kW.

I did not realize that DCFC ever got below a (AC Level 2) rate of 7.2 kW. Did I misread your post?

p7wang

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 8, 2021

surgeonFWW said:
I did not realize that DCFC ever got below a (AC Level 2) rate of 7.2 kW. Did I misread your post?

See pic, seems BMS is now programmed to ask for charge rate as low, or probably even lower than, 2 kW.

Reactions: 1

Bolt Action

· #12 · Dec 8, 2021

Hmm. I'm voluntarily limiting the charging anyway to 80%, but getting the new battery diagnosis seems like a plus.

Reactions: 3

cwerdna

· #13 · Dec 8, 2021

Thanks for the graph, dborn. IIRC, before 883, if you set target level to anything below 100%, I'm fairly sure the drop to 0 kW was pretty abrupt w/none of that taper.

Marspilgrim

· #14 · Dec 8, 2021

I'll get the update if I still have the Bolt then. 80% cap but having no bottom limit is much better than the 37 miles of winter range I have now.

Reactions: 2

boltage

· #15 · Dec 8, 2021

Packard V8 said:
jack vines, who has not been inside the dealership for any reason since buying new in early 2017. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Meaning that your car has the original software that may give an overly optimistic state-of-charge estimate (fixed in a 2018 recall software update)?

H8cloz

· #16 · Dec 8, 2021

Not getting this update. I'm giving them 6 months to replace my battery or I'm dumping this car and getting a Jeep 4xe. Screw EVs.

Reactions: 4

cwerdna

· #17 · Dec 8, 2021

H8cloz said:
Not getting this update. I'm giving them 6 months to replace my battery or I'm dumping this car and getting a Jeep 4xe. Screw EVs.

What year is your Bolt again? My MIU battery '19 was surprisingly flipped to 881 (aka battery available, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE gone) on 12/3/21. Unknown if my open buyback case is related to being flipped so quickly for a MIU pack.

I originally figured I wouldn't be up for a pack for 6+ months, maybe a year+.

H8cloz

· #18 · Dec 8, 2021

cwerdna said:
What year is your Bolt again? My MIU battery '19 was surprisingly flipped to 881 (aka battery available, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE gone) on 12/3/21. Unknown if my open buyback case is related to being flipped so quickly for a MIU pack.

I originally figured I wouldn't be up for a pack for 6+ months, maybe a year+.

Late year 2019 with a US pack. Just checked and I'm still on 883. I may need to act sooner, because I think the tax credit for the Jeep 4xe goes away if the BBB bill gets signed. The battery isn't big enough to qualify. I think it's 16 kWh, for 23 or so EV miles. That's all I need. If I want to take a long trip, I'll be able to without all the charging station icing, malfunctioning, unavailable, crowded drama. There will be lots of gas stations for the rest of my life, and Jeeps are fun, so why not?

Openair

· #19 · Dec 8, 2021

dborn said:
Here's my EVSE's power consumption when I charged to 80% after the -883 recall:
View attachment 39125

So in the last 25 minutes before reaching 80% it gradually tapers down to about 1.9kW
Not sure at which battery charge level it starts to go down though.
For sure, after there was some conditioning going on but since my garage is at 10C (50F), I was assuming it was warming up and not cooling down.

My 2018 has always tapered like that at hilltop. Did newer models not taper before this update for a 80 or 85% target?

MichBolt

· #20 · Dec 8, 2021

H8cloz said:
Late year 2019 with a US pack. Just checked and I'm still on 883. I may need to act sooner, because I think the tax credit for the Jeep 4xe goes away if the BBB bill gets signed. The battery isn't big enough to qualify. I think it's 16 kWh, for 23 or so EV miles. That's all I need. If I want to take a long trip, I'll be able to without all the charging station icing, malfunctioning, unavailable, crowded drama. There will be lots of gas stations for the rest of my life, and Jeeps are fun, so why not?

For what it's worth, if you haven't started the repurchase process yet, it's almost certain that you won't get an offer before the new year. That means you would have to buy the Jeep before you get an offer from GM.

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