Icy charge port button
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 416
Likes: 99
Yes, TPU is flexible. It's the same material that a lot of the "skin" type of cell phone covers are made of, the ones you flex to fit over your phone.
It won't be in the very near future, but I might try to mock up something to see if I can get a decent generic fit. Work has been a nightmare for over a month now, so it might be awhile before I get around to looking at being able to make up something. But I'll report back eventually when I can. It's basic square shape, so I don't thin it would be too difficult to do.
I live in a wintry area and have been through one winter with my e-tron so far, parked outside and on the charge plug in the snow. I'm lucky enough though that I have the ability to choose to work at home if I feel the commute is dangerous, so I don't know if I've had this problem since I didn't leave my house for a few days after the snow from last winter. I'd like to make something up though to keep the snow/water/ice out of the charge port area.
I bought a magnetic plastic bib for ten bucks off of Amazon, then realized our fenders are aluminum and that wasn't going to work. I kinda wonder though, could I glue magnets to the back of the fender to hold the magnetic cover? It's very simple, it sticks to the fender then wraps around the cord, so it would keep the area totally covered if I could use it.
It won't be in the very near future, but I might try to mock up something to see if I can get a decent generic fit. Work has been a nightmare for over a month now, so it might be awhile before I get around to looking at being able to make up something. But I'll report back eventually when I can. It's basic square shape, so I don't thin it would be too difficult to do.
I live in a wintry area and have been through one winter with my e-tron so far, parked outside and on the charge plug in the snow. I'm lucky enough though that I have the ability to choose to work at home if I feel the commute is dangerous, so I don't know if I've had this problem since I didn't leave my house for a few days after the snow from last winter. I'd like to make something up though to keep the snow/water/ice out of the charge port area.
I bought a magnetic plastic bib for ten bucks off of Amazon, then realized our fenders are aluminum and that wasn't going to work. I kinda wonder though, could I glue magnets to the back of the fender to hold the magnetic cover? It's very simple, it sticks to the fender then wraps around the cord, so it would keep the area totally covered if I could use it.
As for keeping winter out of the port area generally, I did EXACTLY the same with one of those magnetic Amazon covers - yay for Prime returns! What I ended up getting, that I use when a lot of snow or freezing rain is expected, is this 3D print for $10 - https://www.printables.com/model/739...ing-port-cover. It's basically just a little roof over the area but makes a huge difference - it's simple to just throw on there when I park for the night and avoids having the port all clogged up and struggling to close.
I totally know that my biggest issues with the button come from moisture and especially winter washes but I can't leave the car covered in salt and road crap for weeks at a time, and sometimes freeze-thaw just means it does get wet. Still baffling that it's not 100% winterproof - water definitely gets inside the button, not just around the mechanism, so if your TPU seal thing could help prevent that, could be a life saver. Right now I'm thinking I might need to wash on weekends and spend some time after with a hairdryer and/or compressed air, but I'm not optimistic of getting it all out.
I can't believe I have to spend so much time dealing with a button!
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 285
Likes: 79
From: Oslo, Norway
Here is a German owner that has found a way to replace the button from the outside. It does require to drill out the tab that holds it in place, as well as removing the wheel liner to get access to the connector for plugging in the new one. But looks somewhat doable.
https://www.motor-talk.de/forum/e-tr...-t8505688.html
https://www.motor-talk.de/forum/e-tr...-t8505688.html
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
detailersdomain
Auto Detailing Discussion
0
Jan 13, 2010 12:54 PM
