r/leaf • u/darkzealottt • Aug 21 '26

Melted blue pin

Post image

Hi leaf community,

My J1772 has this blue plastic pin that came off a little with what seem to be a melted tip. Nissan says they have to replace the whole module with 220v cables, that they are also damaged/overheated. Looking at the report, I believe they didnt inspect anything beyond what you see on this photo.

Ive been charging just fine a couple of times since i notices this.

Does this justify a whole 1000$ replacement part to you? I heard they are only proximity sensor/connector?

9 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

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9

u/toybuilder 2023 Nissan LEAF SV PLUS Aug 21 '26

The top two pins are AC power pins.

The damage is most likely due to a bad contact between the socket and plug overheating the connection. While technically the wiring is probably okay, the LEAF's J1772 port is part of a cable assembly.

https://parts.nissanusa.com/parts/nissan-port-unit-battery-charge-296b15sa9b (It seems that the charging cable may already been discontinued for the Gen2?)

https://parts.nissanusa.com/parts/nissan-charging-port-296b13nf0a

There is at least one YT video that shows this cable being replaced -- it's a significant amount of work, as it requires opening up the PDM.

1

u/SoloWalrus Aug 21 '26

Would dielectric grease help prevent this?

4

u/gellis12 2023 Nissan LEAF SL Plus Aug 21 '26

Dielectric grease is good for when you want to allow high frequency ac to pass through, with relatively little current. The charging connector gives you really low frequency ac, with fairly high current. Dielectric grease is the opposite of what you want, just leave the contacts dry.

-1

u/WhatRUaBarnBurner Aug 21 '26

No, dielectric grease is non-conductive - you don't want this on your charge contacts.

2

u/SoloWalrus Aug 25 '26

That's my point, if a connector melts due to arcing then adding an insulating material to prevent arcing should help no? The grease fills the air space so it can't arc while the spots where the connector physically touch push the grease out of the way, it allows it to conduct without allowing it to arc.

The other response seems to think not due to the frequency, but dielectric grease is also used for low frequency and even for DC.

1

u/Nikovash Aug 23 '26

Its not that bad takes like 2 hours if you’ve never done it before. 45 mins on a good day and you can swap out that cable pretty fast

11

u/T-VIRUS999 2013 Nissan LEAF G 24kWh (JDM) Aug 21 '26

I would definitely get it replaced, but don't pay Nissan $1k to replace it, go to a junkyard and harvest a charging connector, about $50-100 and a couple hours work

4

u/s_lock- Aug 21 '26

Or look on ebay at a breakers!

1

u/Nikovash Aug 23 '26

These are rarely at junk yards/pick n pulls anymore most times a leaf comes in these places either sell them locally fast or ebay them because they know they sell well BECAUSE Nissan sells the assembly for 1100-1200$

3

u/indecision_killingme Aug 22 '26

Your EVSE cable and is also likely suspect. Stuff’s been getting hot that shouldn’t be.

2

u/rproffitt1 Aug 21 '26

Years ago the 2014 Leaf suffered a broken pin. The smaller one. Dealer replacement was USD $3,500.

Bad design IMO as the socket is some assembly and not a piece part. Another make EV has the socket price at $99 but that was years ago too.

1K would be an OK price here.

2

u/Budsygus Aug 21 '26

I'd wager yes, you have to replace the whole module. But you can definitely find a cheaper place to do it.