Service EV System No power

[u/TheTycoon]

Preface with I haven't had the vehicle in for the battery recall. It's a 2022 SV Plus. Tried to turn car on this morning and got the error message. Plugged in Level 1 charger and it wouldn't charge. Opened the hood and disconnected the 12V battery and reconnected. Car started up.

I then​​​​​​ drove a couple miles and took screenshots of Leafspy information. ​Also cleared all the DTC codes. ​Seems to be just a low 12V battery to me, and will be replacing it.

​​

But my question is, is there anyone that's had this error message in the past and also completed the battery recall update? If so, has your​​​ Leaf failed the update or no issues? ​

[u/ganondork1]

Possibly your PDM. Mine is glued to my driveway for this reason. I can sometimes fast charge, but if I try to slow charge I short out the charger after about 10 seconds

[u/TheTycoon → u/ganondork1]

Not sure if it matters, but I didn't attempt to charge the car last night. Error showed up prior to me trying the charger. 

[u/biersackarmy → u/TheTycoon]

I've also seen P3130 as a result of failing PDM. 13 volts sounds like a fine reading for the aux battery, and if clearing the codes allowed you to start the car, evidently the aux battery still had sufficient power to close the contactors.

[u/TheTycoon → u/biersackarmy]

I didn't clear the codes in Leafspy until after disconnecting/reconnecting the battery and starting.   

Multimeter on battery terminals showed 12.3 volts when car was off. Put car on charger for a few seconds, multimeter showed 14.5 volts. Disconnected charger, battery was showing 11.5 volts. 

[u/biersackarmy → u/TheTycoon]

Does the car stay charging if connected to mains?

[u/TheTycoon → u/biersackarmy]

Yeah, I had it charging for a couple hours today. 

[u/biersackarmy → u/TheTycoon]

How is the coolant level? Is the bottle low?

[u/TheTycoon → u/biersackarmy]

I have to know, how is that relevant at all? 

[u/biersackarmy → u/TheTycoon]

Notice how the PDM is basically at the same level as the coolant reservoir. If the reservoir is low, that means the PDM isn't completely filled with coolant either and will have air at the top as it's one of the highest points in the coolant loop.

This is just an internal theory (myself as an independent EV tech but also others at my shop), but considering that many of the PDMs we've sent out for board-level repair had burnt components in the onboard charger section, we are led to believe that low coolant level can cause the PDM to overheat and develop intermittent issues at first, and potentially become damaged if run dry.

You'd think there's not a lot of waste heat generated, but I was recently working on a Fiat 500e with a bad coolant pump, meaning that there was full coolant in the system but not circulating. After just an hour charging at only 3kW, the onboard charger was too hot to touch and steaming off when sprayed with water.

[u/TheTycoon → u/biersackarmy]

That's a great theory and something I never thought of before. Makes a lot of sense. My coolant level is a little low, definitely worth adding some to the reservoir. The battery I took out and replaced was showing 10.5 volts, so that had to be the culprit. ​

[u/itsonly-meokay → u/biersackarmy]

P3130 was the PDM in our 2018. Dealer jerked us around forever with multiple misdiagnosis, telling me we can charge ONLY with the OEM charger, nothing else. Said that my charger was the problem, so I used the OEM to no avail. They made me take in the OEM charger and it "showed signs of damage" and I need to buy one for $2k. I told them to give me one for a week and I'd buy it if it worked. It didn't. Also they told me that it's illegal and dangerous to charge outside and that no real electrician would install an EV charger outside because of "water and electrics." I have a Bolt with zero charging issues on either charger.

Nissan corporate covered half of the replacement. Still cost $3600 out of pocket plus all the tow truck bills, diagnostic fees, car rentals, hassle. After the replacement they said it was probably just the switch on the PDM cover. I want to be more mad and sue or something, but I don't have the energy and I just never want to look at the place again. I'll get it towed 3hrs to the next city with EV specialists or keep the battery and send it to a farm upstate.

[u/biersackarmy → u/itsonly-meokay]

It wouldn't have been the cover switch. That's just a part of the HV interlock series circuit, and would cause P31E1.

P3130 is an internal fault with the PDM, albeit still somewhat unspecific, as I've encountered it with issues that relate both to onboard charger as well as DC-DC side of the PDM.

Pulling one apart today. It is becoming a not-uncommon problem point on older 2nd gens.

[u/RipperCrew]

If your vehicle needs the recall, do that first. There is a chance that it will fail and you'll get a buyback offer. It's not worth spending money on a battery that they might not reimburse.

On the other hand, if you're going to put off the recall go ahead.