New EME and Software update - having charging problems

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harttim1

Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2014
Messages
10
My i3 REx's EME failed and it has been replaced and I also received the latest software update which reduces the i3 charging levels to around 5.0 Kw/h.

Picked up the car on Thursday and now I find that the i3 will only charge immediately. The delayed charging function no longer operates.

I apologize for the long description below but...here goes:

1. With battery fully depleted (running on REX) I plugged the car in and it began to charge immediately which is normal -- except that it did not stop at around 10-14% charge as it should when I have a timed charge window setup for the evening.
2. I unplugged the car, checked the overnight settings and then re-plugged the car in again. This time the iRemote app showed "Charging Paused".
3. The i3 did not charge during the nightime time window (12:05pm to 5:55pm)...yes it was locked.
4. At 5:30am I noticed it had not charged and I pushed the lock button to look inside and see if there were any messages on the dash...the Level 2 charger clicked on and the i3 started to charge!

From there I performed a bunch of tests with the BMW Concierge but the i3 is ignoring the timed charging windows and every time I plug it in it immediately begins to charge.

Finally, I sent the charge window setup including pre-conditioning to the vehicle from the iRemote app. I validated that the information was received by the i3. I walked out into the garage and I could hear the A/C running and sure enough it was on full blast with the car locked and the i3 was NOT plugged in and the departure time I set was 2 hours away.

So I am at a loss --unless someone else is experiencing the delayed charging issues following the latest software update.

Thanks for the help.
 
harttim1 said:
My i3 REx's EME failed and it has been replaced and I also received the latest software update which reduces the i3 charging levels to around 5.0 Kw/h.

Picked up the car on Thursday and now I find that the i3 will only charge immediately. The delayed charging function no longer operates.

I apologize for the long description below but...here goes:

1. With battery fully depleted (running on REX) I plugged the car in and it began to charge immediately which is normal -- except that it did not stop at around 10-14% charge as it should when I have a timed charge window setup for the evening.
2. I unplugged the car, checked the overnight settings and then re-plugged the car in again. This time the iRemote app showed "Charging Paused".
3. The i3 did not charge during the nightime time window (12:05pm to 5:55pm)...yes it was locked.
4. At 5:30am I noticed it had not charged and I pushed the lock button to look inside and see if there were any messages on the dash...the Level 2 charger clicked on and the i3 started to charge!

From there I performed a bunch of tests with the BMW Concierge but the i3 is ignoring the timed charging windows and every time I plug it in it immediately begins to charge.

Finally, I sent the charge window setup including pre-conditioning to the vehicle from the iRemote app. I validated that the information was received by the i3. I walked out into the garage and I could hear the A/C running and sure enough it was on full blast with the car locked and the i3 was NOT plugged in and the departure time I set was 2 hours away.

So I am at a loss --unless someone else is experiencing the delayed charging issues following the latest software update.

Thanks for the help.
I also have the software update but do not have any of the issues you are experiencing. I've set the departure times and Preconditioning both in and out of the car using the "Low Cost Charging" option also without any problem.
 
If the vehicle gets above 95% SOC, plugging in the EVSE apparently won't cause it to start charging until the level drops below that point.

At least on the USA system, pressing the lock button on the power plug breaks the interlock at the EVSE, and that causes it to open the contactor, removing the charging voltage from the car in anticipation of you removing the plug. If you have the vehicle locked, you cannot remove the EVSE's plug, but pushing the release button will still break the interlock while you're holding it.
 
Im having the same problem after the last update. Dealer had the car for 4 days and I got it back with way more issues.

I could not get any "low cost charging" to work. I even tried to set different times and I could not get the car out of Charging paused unless I removed the timers.

I also saw charging slow down form 3.5 hrs down to 4.5 - 5.5 hrs. And I saw a lot of issues pop up with the iRemote app. I could not get stable departure time communication with the car. Most failed and i would loose communication with the car. I also noticed that the software update did not resolve the Check engine light issue. After the Rex kicks in I get the Check engine light on the next couple of uses of the car. It eventually clears every time but it's annoying that it keeps popping up.

My car is at the dealer now for all of these issues (and more) and I have a case open on the iRemote app issue. Dealer states there is a new "recall" for another software update on my car. So those of you that had the software update, check with your dealer as it seems like there is now a second update as part of a recall.
 
M2140 said:
Dealer states there is a new "recall" for another software update on my car. So those of you that had the software update, check with your dealer as it seems like there is now a second update as part of a recall.
Could you ask the dealer what the software version # is for the new software. My guess is you did not receive the latest version (07-503) and this is the "new" version your dealer is talking about.

Does anyone know if we can see what version is installed in iDrive?
 
jadnashuanh said:
If you have the vehicle locked, you cannot remove the EVSE's plug, but pushing the release button will still break the interlock while you're holding it.
If the vehicle is locked, the EVSE pin lock prevents the release button from being pressed. My guess is that some of these frankenplugs may be sensitive enough to pressure on the button causing the slightest movement to actually break the charge, but most will not stop charging in this case. I'm just speculating, as I always charge at home (for the three days I've had my i3!) with the vehicle unlocked.
 
FWIW, Delphi is a decent brand, and while you can't release the plug when the car is locked, you can break the interlock by pressing the release button...it just won't go all the way down...feels springy.
 
Zzzoom3 said:
M2140 said:
Dealer states there is a new "recall" for another software update on my car. So those of you that had the software update, check with your dealer as it seems like there is now a second update as part of a recall.
Could you ask the dealer what the software version # is for the new software. My guess is you did not receive the latest version (07-503) and this is the "new" version your dealer is talking about.

Does anyone know if we can see what version is installed in iDrive?

I asked when I dropped of the car at the dealer and the service department was completely useless. It's now day 4 and I have not heard any updated form them (not for lack of trying to get an update from them) but i will keep checking. At the very least when I get the car back i will post the software ver.
 
i3Alan said:
jadnashuanh said:
If you have the vehicle locked, you cannot remove the EVSE's plug, but pushing the release button will still break the interlock while you're holding it.
If the vehicle is locked, the EVSE pin lock prevents the release button from being pressed. My guess is that some of these frankenplugs may be sensitive enough to pressure on the button causing the slightest movement to actually break the charge, but most will not stop charging in this case. I'm just speculating, as I always charge at home (for the three days I've had my i3!) with the vehicle unlocked.
I checked my Clipper Creek unit last night, locking the doors in the middle of charging, then pressing the release button. The button hardly moved, but it did interrupt the charge. I was wrong!
 
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