New Volt owner with question

[kj7]

Hey all, I just leased my cyber gray volt 2 days ago. Today was my first commute and I'm very excited that I had many miles to spare after arriving home.

So I plug in the charger after pulling in and I get a yellow charging light ... not the green flashing I'm used to. Is this normal or have I screwed something up? As far as I can tell it's set to immediate charge.

I searched but couldn't find an answer. I'm hoping it is just means it is delaying the charging until the battery temperature is optimal (due to just pulling in).

thanks

edit: now the light is completely off...

[saghost]

Hey all, I just leased my cyber gray volt 2 days ago. Today was my first commute and I'm very excited that I had many miles to spare after arriving home.

So I plug in the charger after pulling in and I get a yellow charging light ... not the green flashing I'm used to. Is this normal or have I screwed something up? As far as I can tell it's set to immediate charge.

I searched but couldn't find an answer. I'm hoping it is just means it is delaying the charging until the battery temperature is optimal (due to just pulling in).

thanks

The battery is thermally managed - it should never have to delay charging until it cools. The light always comes on yellow, until the car "qualifies" the power source. It should turn green with a horn beep after ~10-20 seconds and start charging, if it's set to charge immediately. Flashing green is fully charged - a quick flashing green is delayed charging set, but plugged in.

If the light doesn't turn green, the car doesn't like the power - voltage or frequency out of range, a bad ground connection, or something similar.

[kj7]

well crap. it charged fine yesterday. hmmmm... okay thanks for the feedback.

the light is completely out now. blah

[ChasSidwa]

I assume you disconnected both power cords and replugged everything in? Let us know what you find. 16K on mine and 0 problems.

[kj7]

Oh my, this is very embarrassing. I left the car in "L" and that was the reason it was showing yellow. wow.

I had envisioned my first "got a volt" thread being a little more distinguished than this.

[mike1]

Oh my, this is very embarrassing. I left the car in "L" and that was the reason it was showing yellow. wow.

I had envisioned my first "got a volt" thread being a little more distinguished than this.

Don't worry about it The first night I had my Volt I went to add a few extra PSI to the tires with the air compressor in the trunk...except it was dark and the switch was in the Tire Goo/Sealant position instead of air. Ended up pouring a ton of sticky white tire sealant all over my parking garage floor and my rear right tire and rim within a few seconds of turning it on.

[kj7]

I might as well add some background. My last car was a bmw m3. I just got very tired of getting 14 mpg on premium fuel. In fact, besides a beater jeep I drove in graduate school, I've only ever driven used bmws. So I was very leery of buying an american brand ... especially gm. But I took the leap and in the few days I've had the car I've been amazed by how much I love it.

At first the screens seemed overly complicated and gaudy to me. After a few days, I'm amazed at how well the design was thought-out. Everything seems completely natural now. The fit and finish isn't up to premium cars, imho, but it isn't bad and considering the amazing engineering involved it's just an excellent car.

I made my first commute today and almost felt a psychological necessity to drive with a lead foot. Too many people around here associated electric cars w/ slow. In my own twisted psychology, I felt the need to demonstrate otherwise. I drove with no reservations, used the ac, even heated seats in the morning and still got 38 miles ev range out of the car. If it continues like this, I'll say this is the best car I've ever owned...and it's a nice benefit that it is engineered and built in the US.

[tboult]

glad you figured it out. If you are used to a stick, you may find using D and downshifting to L to be a fun way to drive (+ sport of course).

Enjoy you gonna love it.

[ChasSidwa]

I bought a 2002tii back in 1972 and a 740i in 1994, both great cars. I do love my Volt. My only regret is that we traded in our minvan for a Silverado 1500, to satisfy towing needs, and now my wife swiped my Volt. I guess I should say that I miss my Volt. Also 16.6K miles and a 168 gallons of gas.

[kj7]

I've always thought about buying an old 2002 and fixing it up... but i doubt i'll ever get around to it.