Model 3 Charge Port Cover - Broken Flap (Auto close or vandalism?)

[xcat]

Had my car parked in a lot all day connected to a chargepoint. Unfortunately the chargepoint was broken and never initiated. After about 10 hours sitting in 20 degree whether. I came back to find the door physically broken. I know that if the car does not sense any live charging connection that it will attempt to close and upon hitting an obstruction, such as the J1772 adapter will open back up.

Does it stay open permanently or constantly attempt to open and close? In this case over 10 hrs in below freezing temps.

Or vandalism?

 

[Kardax]

It shouldn't try to close if it detects that it's plugged in.
I don't think the door-closing motor is strong enough to break the door...

 

[VT_EE]

Looks like vandalism to me. I doubt he closing mechanism could do that.

 

[BeetleBeetle]

Looks like vandalism. When the door is obstructed, it reopens. I noticed it with mine when using the J1772 adapter. I unplugged the charger before removing the adapter from the car. The door tried to close, hit the adapter then reopened.

 

[MorrisonHiker]

Are those spots from rain, a shoe print or something else?

I think it's definitely vandalism. Someone probably want to use the ChargePoint but found you parked there. They might not know it was broken but if they tried multiple times, they probably decided to vent their frustration and take it out on your car.

I use public chargers from time to time, especially in locations where there aren't Superchargers when I'm traveling...but I wouldn't have stayed plugged into a non-functioning charger for 10 minutes, let alone 10 hours.

 

[flashflooder]

definitely vandalism

 

[Trips]

If it was a public charger I would say vandalism from someone that noticed you were icing a charger. If it was a private charger of yours in your parking spot I would say it was random vandalism.

 

[hoang51]

Motive for vandalism is stronger than result of mechanical damage, especially when you parked there for 10 hours. I'm going to guess there was someone who wanted to charge their car but you were "hogging" the charger, and felt that they wanted to leave you a carefully crafted message to get your attention not to repeat this type of behavior again.

 

[xcat]

failed to mention it was a commuter train parking lot. people park there all day as they take the metra train 40 min downtown to work. Don't believe the rules of moving your car after it's charged apply here, more first come first serve. In any case, agree it was probably vandalism. I suspect the motivation was more anti-Tesla.

Looks like I'll have a ranger stop by and swap it out at home next week.

 

[xcat]

Fortunately I was working from home today. The other M3 owner along with a civic in the lot were not as lucky. Poor guy. His is only a couple months old as well. I wonder what a new glass roof costs and who puts those in. Tesla or body shop.

 

[flashflooder]

Wow, I hope they catch whoever is doing this.

 

[MissyMcBee]

Wow, that's terrible. hope you can get a ride to the train in the future...