BMW 3: Actuation of the charge status indicator

The convenience charging electronics actuate the charge status indicator.

Locator lighting: The locator lighting of the charging socket is used as an orientation aid by the driver for the connection and disconnection of the charging plug.

The RGB LEDs light up in white as soon as the charging socket cover has been opened. The locator lighting remains switched on as long as the bus systems are active. As soon as a charging plug has been identified as correctly connected, the locator lighting is switched off and the initialization status is displayed.

Initialization: Initialization begins approximately 0 - 3 s after the charging plug has been inserted correctly. The initialization phase takes up to 10 s.

The RGB LEDs flash orange during this time at a frequency of 1 Hz.

After successful initialization, charging of the high-voltage battery unit can be started.

Charging active: The currently active charging procedure of the high-voltage battery unit is indicated by blue flashing of the RGB LEDs. The flashing frequency is approximately 0.7 Hz.

Charging interval: Charging interval or charging readiness present when the initialization phase was completed successfully and the charging start is sometime in the future (e.g.: charging at a less expensive time). In this case, the RGB LEDs light up permanently in blue.

Charging complete: The state of charge of the high-voltage battery unit "fully charged" is indicated by illumination of the RGB LEDs in green.

Fault during charging: If faults occur during the charging procedure, then this status is displayed by the RGB LEDs flashing in red. The RGB LED flashes 3 times for 12 seconds at a frequency of approximately 0.5 Hz and with an interval of approximately 0.8 s between the groups of three.

The charge status indicator is activated for 12 s after plugging in the charging plug, or after unlocking/ locking the vehicle. If the vehicle is unlocked/locked again in this period, the display duration is extended by another 12 s until the maximum display duration of 120 s has been reached.

Opening the charging socket cover

The charging socket cover is locked by the central locking. After the unlocking, the charging socket cover must be pressed. An ejector is operated which pops up the charging socket cover.

A sensor is also installed in the cover of the charging socket (hall-effect sensor). The status of the hall- effect sensor provides information on the status of the charging socket cover (open/closed).

Locking the charging plug

In the US version (Type 1 connector), the connector is locked as long as the vehicle remains locked.

The electrical lock of the charging plug prevents the charging plug being disconnected when the vehicle is locked.

In the event of an electrical fault, e.g. malfunction of the locking motor, the charging plug can be unlocked manually. The cable for emergency release is located in the engine compartment at the front left wheel arch.

The charging plug is unlocked by pulling on this button.

G20 PHEV: emergency release for the charging plug

1. Button with cable for emergency release of the charging plug

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