MG Cyberster Charger Flap issue

[Roger M]

Hi, Good to know but I wonder what mechanism, as I mentioned in my earlier posts, MG China sent a replacement solenoid (mechanism) under warranty which has been fitted. However the same intermittent fault has re-emerged so it appears that it is possibly a software bug actually rather than mechanical/electrical. My Cyberster is booked in for another attempt to fix it on March 21st…………I will update my post following this pit stop………………Why is there no OTA for this amazing vehicle MG ?

 

[Jackolino]

If I read the problem like this, then it could also be that the problem is not the magnet, but the lid. Perhaps the solenoid is tightening correctly, but is not releasing the pin that does not fit exactly. I would start looking primarily at the plastic lid. Perhaps it has a burr or deformation at some point that is causing the problem.

 

[Roger M]

Thank you for your comment Jackolino……certainly worth a check, which I did and the lid looks perfectly OK, however in checking all the suggestions members have kindly posted I am still of a view that locking/unlocking is likely to be a software bug…….but I have now discovered that the manual push push door is also suspect…….. when unlocked and free if I push it to open/close several times consecutively it will intermittently refuse to open so the stud and or magnet if there is one also needs attention it seems…….collectively it’s a worry

 

[M44LCY]

From the sidelines … I had the same problem with my MG5. The solution was to simply remove the locking pin. The flap on the '5' is held closed by a spring, so there's no problem in that regard. Just pull the flap open, plug in. The big benefit, of course, is that I no longer need to worry whether I can open my flap.

Perhaps Cyberster's flap locking mechanism is different to the MG5, but I suspect it will be similar.

 

[Roger M]

Hi, Is that ann electrically operated pin?……..because my dealership disabled the locking mechanism temporarily while waiting for the replacement solenoid but it also disabled the LED’s that surround the charging socket visually indicating appropriate state of charge. I’ll be happy if the flap doesn’t lock but stays shut without disturbing the electrics….so I still think that it is a design oversite not to have a manual override option. Thanks for your post, I’ll pass it on to the service department technician.

 

[Old man]

Has Anyone experienced the charger flap not unlocking and refusing to open? Mine has this problem intermittently…of course… the fault was witnessed and addressed by the dealer who replaced the solenoid which was supplied a few weeks later by MG China under warranty…..However a few days after the fix it has decided to repeat the problem my assumption therefore is that it is probably a software problem. There is no manual release for the charger flap which must be a design flaw like the non operation of the roof by the fob. Unlike cheaper EV’s, one such being the Volvo C40 I previously owned…….software updates occurred regularly, three times in the first three months……..you are advised by the cars dashboard screen and do the update in the car by you, the owner. Not so with MG, this function is only done by the dealership so how do we, the owners know an update is required…………Is that once a year in Australia or once every two years as per the MG maintenance schedule? Come on MG, how many updates are waiting for my Cyberster? it is six months since being released in Australia and I have not heard a word from anybody. It is a very expensive ornament if you can’t open the charge flap……Help !!

/

 

[Old man]

Same problem on Trophy model

 

[Mike E]

Same problem on Trophy model

And on my Cyberster. Dealer has replaced mechanism that locks/unlocks charging port and the problem seems to have been resolved. Took less than an hour to do.

 

[Roger M]

So the same problem we currently know about has/is affecting Four Cyberster & an MG5 in Scotland which may have the same mechanism…………..How many are there that we don’t know about I wonder…………….my problem is that if the referred too mechanism is the Solenoid and mine has already been replaced but has resumed the issue after said fix…………. got to be something else going on here

 

[Roger M]

An update from Queensland Oz
Yesterday the 21st March and the forth workshop visit to my esteemed dealership, the new analysis for my Cyberster’s charge door issue appears to be the spigot mechanism: as suggested by Mr M44LCY of Fife (MG5) The replacement part has been ordered……they already replaced the solenoid on a previous visit (under warranty) April 4th is the date of surgery so fingers crossed .
I don’t quite understand how the electrical solenoid switch not audibly clicking thereby keeping the door shut and the, I presume mechanical, spigots function being linked………We will find out in April.
How about a simple modification by attaching a wire to the existing manual plug release in the boot and extend it to also manually release the central locking flap (Charger Door) switch Personally I am still of the view that this is a design oversight…..not to have a manual override device.

 

[Roger M]

And on my Cyberster. Dealer has replaced mechanism that locks/unlocks charging port and the problem seems to have been resolved. Took less than an hour to do.

You might just be right Mike E …………but I still don’t get the connection between the two functions

 

[Roger M]

I forgot to add this….for reference

 

[Roger M]

Update from down under:
Charge port flap/door issue………on Wednesday April 9th my Cyberster had, I presume the part called the locking spindle/spigot replaced under warranty. My car was at the dealership till after 4pm and when I collected it the problem had apparently been fixed……..”Wrong”

On arriving home 45 minutes later, parked in my carport & still unlocked I attempted to open the flap…..yep you’ve guessed it……..would not open. Tried again in the morning,(Thursday) again & again but it refused to open and no audible clunk was heard either……so cannot be the spindle/spigot eh! Straight back to the MG Dealership where it is still resting waiting for, this time, an accurate analysis of the problem. They are keeping my car for a few days so I hope that by Monday 14th or Tuesday 15th at the latest the experts will have sussed the problem……every time I suggest “A software Issue?” Nobody seems to want to take any notice. So standby for the next update.

 

[tsedge]

I don't know about the Cyberster but on the MG4 the flap is openable even when stuck, the outer cover slides off and with a tool you can then operate the flap mechanism.

The Cyberster might be a similar design?

Thread 'Frozen Charging Port Door? (Flap)'

Nov 20, 2024

Mods, I know there are plenty of Charging Flap related Debacles, but I've started afresh as I haven't seen this information before.

Please move, if this has been covered elsewhere.


After last year's faffing and Charging Flap related shenanigans, I got my hair off last night when it wouldn't open.

I needed to plug in and charge my household battery bank.

Quite by accident (Ahem) I managed to pull off the painted cover to expose the Charging Flap itself.

This was preluded by several bowls of quite warm water hoping to free it off.

Anyway, I have since discovered that you can open the...

• Bricktop X PWR
• charging emergency flap frozen mg4
• Replies: 69
• Forum: MG4 EV (2022 to 2025) Forum

• 
• 
• 

 

[Johnnymag]

The manual release of the charge flap is in the trunk left hand side, where the net is, as mentioned in the manual. No design flaw.

No it isn't

 

[MG Clive]

The manual release of the charge flap is in the trunk left hand side, where the net is, as mentioned in the manual. No design flaw.

The release next to the net is to manually release the charging plug locking mechanism.

 

[tsedge]

Four different things:

1. Charge plug lock: locks the charge plug into the car's port while the car is charging. Emergency release cord in the boot, in most models.

2. Charge flap lock: locks the charge flap while not charging (ie shut), normally operated via the keyfob / doors, to lock and unlock.

3. Charge flap latch: opens the charge flap in response to a push in, spring loaded. Can be bypassed on some models by removing charge flap cover and then using suitable bit to open lock mechanism - eg if frozen.

4. Charge flap cover: body-colour plastic piece covering the charge flap latch/lock mechanism. Normally removable by pulling the cover in the right direction.

I think this is right, others will correct me.

 

[Johnnymag]

Four different things:

1. Charge plug lock: locks the charge plug into the car's port while the car is charging. Emergency release cord in the boot, in most models.

2. Charge flap lock: locks the charge flap while not charging (ie shut), normally operated via the keyfob / doors, to lock and unlock.

3. Charge flap latch: opens the charge flap in response to a push in, spring loaded. Can be bypassed on some models by removing charge flap cover and then using suitable bit to open lock mechanism - eg if frozen.

4. Charge flap cover: body-colour plastic piece covering the charge flap latch/lock mechanism. Normally removable by pulling the cover in the right direction.

I think this is right, others will correct me.

You’re right I think but the idea that you need to carry a trim removing tool to remove the charge flap cover then a correct size Torx bit to operate the latch is insane in a £60k car - I’ve just bought mine and unless they fix this I think it would be fair to say that under UK trading rules the vehicle would be “not fit for purpose” and a buyer would be entitled to hand the car back - I will be broaching this issue with my dealer (that’ll be interesting!!).

 

[Roger M]

Hi Jonnymag…………I agree completely with your comment & I will now check what the Australian trading rules are. My Cyberster is the only one in my region of Queensland…according to the Dealership who have currently had my car since last Thursday 10th April,(today is Wednesday the 16th) trying to resolve the issue. So not many options to replace this fabulous MG.
This fault has to be fixed and how can anyone think that it is not a design fault/error to not have a manual override for putting fuel in any car, let alone an all electric/electronic vehicle. There IS a manual override to open the doors/boot/bonnet and to release the charge plug from the socket BUT NOT to open the fuel/charger door Without a simple solution these cars become a very very expensive ORNAMENT at a charging station

 

[Roger M]

OK Guys……it seems that my Aussie Dealership in regional Queensland has solved the problem with my Cyberster sticking charge port door/flap issue
Apparently the electrical locking bit & the push push mechanical function are contained together in a small sealed hard plastic unit mounted under the flap where one pushes to open having unlocked the car via the central locking system.

On my car it was found that the colour coded plastic cover on the charge door was so closely & neatly fitted that it would intermittently hold the flap a bit too tight and not release the few millimetres/thousanths of an inch to have a sufficient gap to be able to push the flap in the wee bit of travel needed for it to release. The fix……which appears to have been successful…….was for the expert to add a few mm or thous to the release pin length so that the door cover is now very slightly proud of the housing (which is not a problem & not really noticeable) and no longer a tight fit.
AaannnDDD it feels ‘right’ plus my anxiety has evaporated. So looks like a done deal