My 2014 iMiev went totally dark.

[cdysthe]

I ran an errand in my beloved blue 2014. It was very cold, close to 10F. Got home. Plugged it in and went inside for an hour. Then I needed to run another errand but when I turned the key, nothing! Nothing on the dash. Nothing worked. Just a vague door open indicator and a little chirp when I turned the key. I plugged the car in again and went inside. Waited an hour or so. Tested the remote and all was normal again. Full charge so I went out and drove like normal..

I did not like that total blackout, and would like to know what could be causing it. What if that randomly happens when I'm out and about. Our iMiev has 89K miles on it but the battery is holding up and I still get 50+ miles out of it on a sunny day and 40 miles in the winter. But having it black out totally like that freaks me out.

 

[kiev]

What is the age and condition of the 12V battery? All sorts of strange things (intermittent charging or starting) can happen when the battery is old, weak or worn out.

 

[MickeyS70]

Just a vague door open indicator and a little chirp when I turned the key.

Sounds like a low 12V aux…

 

[michael8554]

Do US models start with a key inserted and turned in a lock ?

A Mickey suggests.

If the 12V Aux battery is too low in volts the 12V startup circuits won't be energised.

 

[WReed82]

Hi cdsythe,

I too have a 2014. My understanding is to only charge the main battery when the battery is above 32 degrees or risk damaging it.

I don't think this would cause the issue you note - that's likely a weak 12V battery.
If the 12V was a little low, and you only drove a short trip, it may not have been enough to adequately charge the 12V.
Putting a charger on the 12V might be helpful.

Thanks and good health, Weogo

 

[MickeyS70]

My understanding is to only charge the main battery when the battery is above 32 degrees or risk damaging it.

The above is true for NMC chemistry, you risk damage, if you charge NMC93 (as an example) below freezing.

Stock LEV50x are of a different composition and do not have such a restriction.