DFCS modification to prevent errors

[MrDRMorgan]

I am only considering a nice used Leaf because the price of a used Leaf seems to be dropping like mad as more and more leases expire. Leasing an new Leaf is also an option which may get even better if Nissan cannot get rid of their 2015 inventory.

I would caution against used Leaf. Leaf do not have liquid cooled battery thermal management. That shows as slower quick charge and shorter battery life, especially when charged and driven in hot weather. But if you plan to get rid of it before warranty expires, that might be ok.

Anyway, new blog post on why I chose SparkEV, even over Tesla P90D. GM should just keep building SparkEV (with more reliable DCFC), and call it FolksEV, like how VW beetle was in production for 50+ years.

http://sparkev.blogspot.com/2015/09/why-sparkev-by-sparkev-blogspot.html

I can't believe I actually wanted to do that. Fortunately I didn't although I did take a new 2015 S Leaf out for a test drive. The all black interior really turned me off and the lease the dealer offered was a joke. SO.... I found a 2014 Spark EV 2LT in factory-fresh mint condition and at a great price, so I bought it. I sure am glad I did because the car has been perfect and is fun to drive - just like our 2015 Spark EV 2LT. This purchase also keeps my wife and I from fighting over who gets to drive the Spark EV. Now we both have one to drive.

 

[Porsche]

I thought I'd add my experience with my recently purchased 2015 Spark EV as well. There's an ABB DC fast charger near me that's available for free charging. I could not get it to work at all, just kept getting communications errors. I tried holding the heavy cable up higher, moving it around, still no joy. Sometimes it would start for maybe a minute, then fail again.

I just had the dealer perform the charging connector mod mentioned here. It's Nov. 2016, GM service bulletin PI1382A, "Intermittent Unable to Charge from DC Fast Charge". The dealer would not perform the service for free, but charged me for an hour of labor.

It worked like a charm. No more problems. I feel a lot more confident about planning a trip outside the Spark's immediate range.

By the way, if you come across this link: http://oemdtc.com/6504/intermittent-unable-to-charge-from-dc-fast-charge-2014-2015-chevrolet-spark-ev
it does NOT work.

But you CAN see the service bulletin here:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/MC-10138002-9999.pdf