6 Most Common E-Golf Charging Problems (+Solutions)

Volkswagen E-Golf is an excellent option if you’re looking to buy a short to medium range electric vehicle.

I would call it a starter pack. The car is reliable and takes you from point A to B without any trouble. However, its charging system can give you a headache sometimes.

In this article, I will discuss the 6 most common E-Golf charging problems and what to do about those. So, let’s get started!

How Long Does it Take to Charge Volkswagen E-Golf?

It takes 16 hours to charge Volkswagen E-Golf using the regular socket at your home. At a level-II charging station, this time is reduced to 5-8 hours. However, the fastest method of charging the Volkswagen E-Golf is DC fast-charging which takes only 50 minutes.

Volkswagen E-Golf is a decent family car with low to medium range. So far, two generations of E-Golf have been released.

The models of E-Golf produced prior to 2016 used a smaller battery pack of 24.2 kWh. They were capable of going up to 118 miles on a single charge.

The models of Volkswagen E-Golf produced after 2016 were a huge improvement in terms of battery capacity and range. They were laced with a larger battery pack of 35.8 kWh. On this battery pack, Volkswagen E-Golf could go up to 186 miles on a single charge.

The newer and upgraded version of the Volkswagen E-Golf is also laced with fast-charging capability, which was missing from the previous models. However, the maximum power of DC fast-charging is capped at 40 kW.

But this isn’t too bad, especially if you consider the battery size of 35.8 kWh. At a fast charging station, you can replenish the range at a rate of 200 miles/hour.

Is Volkswagen E-Golf Prone to Charging Problems?

People have faced certain issues while charging the Volkswagen E-Golf. However, I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it is prone to charging problems. Just like all electrical systems, the charging system of the Volkswagen E-Golf is prone to errors and minor issues.

Most of the charging issues with Volkswagen E-Golf are related to human negligence. You cannot attribute those issues to a charging system defect.

So, generally, it is a good idea to read the charging manuals very carefully in order to avoid any charging problems.

What are the Most Common E-Golf Charging Problems?

The most common E-Golf charging problems are the charger making a clicking sound, the adapter being stuck in the charging port, sensor-related issues, and the LED indicator on the charging port turning static red, flashing red, yellow, or orange.

Let’s discuss each of these problems in detail. I will also lay out possible solutions to each problem.

Problem #1: Charger Makes Clicking Sound

Why Does it Happen?

You might hear a strange clicking sound upon plugging in the charger. The vehicle won’t charge when you hear this sound. This noise usually starts coming after you have charged your Volkswagen E-Golf while it was raining.

When you do this, the water may seep into the charging port and cause the relay to go bad. It is the sound of the relay getting switched on and off. This issue has been reported with the older generation of Volkswagen E-Golf and not with the new ones.

How Do You Solve it?

The logical solution is to replace the faulty relay. But there are a number of relays inside of an EV charging inlet.

So, it is best that you seek professional advice before making any decisions. Moreover, it would be a good idea to avoid charging your Volkswagen E-Golf while it is raining.

Problem #2: Charging Port LED is Solid Red

Why Does it Happen?

A solid red light on the LED indicator of the charging port is a clear sign that the charging adapter isn’t properly tucked in. It can also happen if the pins inside the charging port have become loose over time. It is a fairly common problem with Volkswagen E-Golf.

How Do You Solve it?

If you’re dealing with loose charging port pins, then the only solution is to replace them. However, before doing so, I would recommend trying to click the adapter in the charging port firmly. This should solve the issue of solid red light in most cases.

Important: EV battery replacement can cost $1000s. To avoid high-voltage battery replacement, there are some things you can do. Read this article to find out the 10 best ways to maximize EV battery life and save tons of money!

Problem #3: Adapter Stuck in Charging Port

Why Does it Happen?

The charging port is designed to hold the adapter firmly. However, it may hold it too tightly so that you’re unable to detach the charging cable.

This is known to happen with several Volkswagen E-Golf owners. The company tried to solve the issue of a loose charging port by making it too tight for the newer models, hence this issue.

How Do You Solve it?

If your charger does get stuck inside the port, you can try to do a few things before seeking professional help. This includes trying to press the release button again and again or trying wiggling the charger gently while pulling on it to see if it releases.

Also read: EV Battery in Hot Temperature: 5 Things to Know

Problem #4: Charging Port LED is Flashing Red

Why Does it Happen?

A flashing red light is a typical sign of a charger or adapter defect. It indicates a problem with something outside your Volkswagen E-Golf rather than inside.

How Do You Solve it?

Generally, it is a good idea to replace the charging cable and buy one recommended by the manufacturer. Before spending money on buying a new charging cable, it is a good idea to borrow it for someone and see if that is the problem, not the adapter or socket.

Problem #5: Yellow Light on Charging Port

Why Does it Happen?

A yellow light on the charging port indicates that the charger is plugged in properly, but no current is flowing through it. This can happen due to a variety of reasons. The most common one is that the charging socket is defective.

How Do You Solve it?

If you see a yellow light over the charging port, it is a good idea to try charging at a different socket or a different charging station. This way, you can be sure it was an issue with the charging point.

Problem #6: Sensor-Related Problems

Why Does it Happen?

There are various sensors in your Volkswagen E-Golf. Most of these sensors don’t impact the working of the charging system directly. But even these sensors, when defective, can prevent your Volkswagen E-Golf from charging.

Users have reported charging problems in case of a bad powertrain control module or a bad solenoid position sensor. If either component goes bad, the entire electrical infrastructure of your Volkswagen E-Golf is affected, and this includes the charging system.

How Do You Solve it?

At times sensors are covered with dirt, and all you need to do is clean them off. However, in some cases, you might have to replace the sensor, but that can be tricky to narrow down. I recommend using professional help when you’re unable to pinpoint the problem source.

How to Avoid E-Golf Charging Problems?

The best and sure way of avoiding charging problems in the Volkswagen E-Golf is to use a high-quality charging cable. Charge your car only at a tested, inspected, and reliable charging location. Follow the guidelines mentioned in the user manual very carefully.

A poor-quality charging cable is the root cause of most charging issues. Even if it doesn’t cause a charging error directly, indirectly, it poses a threat to the entire charging system. Therefore, never compromise on the quality of the charging cable.

The second most important thing is choosing the right charging station. Sometimes a short circuit or ungrounded terminal of a charging station can cause charging problems for your vehicle.

My last piece of advice is to read the user manual that came with your Volkswagen E-Golf. You would be surprised at how many problems are solved just by looking it up.

References

joinbonnet.com, luxurycarsa2z.com, speakev.com, myvwegolf.com, forums.ross-tech.com, fitch-autos.co.uk, reddit.com, support.tibber.com, enelxway.com, mobilityhouse.com,