I'm back at the train station, on my way to collect my car from Cleveley Electric Vehicles. I received a call from Matt Cleveley himself about the issue. It turned out to be a software update, as suspected. It's a two-hour train journey, and I'll provide more details once I arrive.
Recap: Diagnosing the Electric Traction System Fault
Previously, my car displayed an error message: "Electric Traction System Fault - Repair Needed." I booked an appointment with Cleveley EV in Cheltenham. If you missed the first part of this story, check the link in the description for background information.
The train journey was busy, so I didn’t film much. After arriving at Cheltenham Spa, I walked to Lown Industrial Estate to visit Cleveley EV and collect my car.
Unexpected Challenges at Cleveley EV
Things didn’t go as planned, but I want to clarify that Cleveley EV remains a top-notch service provider. As an IT professional, I understand that complex systems can have hard-to-diagnose issues. Cleveley EV has been transparent and helpful throughout this process.
Understanding the Fault
Matt explained that the issue was a software glitch causing communication errors. They checked the 12-volt battery and all wiring connections. Using an oscilloscope, they analyzed the communication data bus to ensure signals were correctly transmitted.
Resolution and Ongoing Issues
Cleveley EV identified the motor ECU as the source of the problem. After the software update, my car seemed fine. They even charged it using their solar panels. Unfortunately, four days later, the same error message reappeared.
Next Steps
I consulted Cleveley EV for advice. Although they could perform further diagnostics, each software update request to Vauxhall incurs a cost, making it impractical. Matt suggested taking the car to a Vauxhall dealership for diagnostics and all necessary software updates, which could be faster and more cost-effective.
Reflecting on the Experience
Cleveley EV charged me £376 for diagnostics and the software update, which is reasonable considering their efforts. They’ve labeled some of their work as R&D since it was their first encounter with this error. While it’s disappointing, I appreciate their transparency and dedication.
Moving Forward with Vauxhall
I've scheduled an appointment with a Vauxhall dealership for further diagnostics and updates. Hopefully, this will resolve the issue more efficiently.
Conclusion
This video marks the end of part two in this ongoing saga. Stay tuned for part three, where I'll share updates from the Vauxhall dealership. Special thanks to my channel members for their support.
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