Multiple Zoe Failures

[IN51GHT]

OK then,

after the first Zoe, suffered total electrical failure just 4 days & 150miles into ownership the replacement car was delivered today.

Brand new, 8 miles on the clock, what could go wrong.

Well, I thought after a couple of miles "the heating isn't very warm", then when I stopped at the next road junction I heard this.



Now that's not right is it?

The noise stopped shortly afterwards, now nothing but ice cold air coming from the vents, so the recovery firm will be towing away in the morning.

Bloody annoyed & tempted to knock the whole EV thing on the head, despite the Zoe being a lovely car.

Any new car excitement left after the first car gave up is well & truly destroyed now.

Gutted.

[IN51GHT]

Called City Motors for an update yesterday....after me sending them the video to demonstrate the noise they were looking for a loom fault!!!!!!!

[anonymous-user]

Sounds like the HVAC fan was getting up close and personal with the heater matrix! Any coolant dripping out the bottom??

[IN51GHT]

Who knows? Sounded like a bearing failure to me, no fluid leaks.

There was a clunk, a bang, then silence shortly after that video was taken, still no heating though.

[IN51GHT]

Well then.

Just called City Motors for an update.......

The diagnostic laptop has broken, waiting on the replacement to be upfated.

Brilliant.

[Chicane-UK]

Have to say you've been extremely unlucky - and easy to understand why it's quickly putting you off the Renault Zoe!

[Jimmyarm]

I haven't looked over one in detail (yet) but it does sound like plastic fan blades hitting something.

How do the Zoes produce cabin heat ? If they have a coolant heater it could be the electric coolant pump failing so you get no coolant flow through the heater matrix (hence no heat).

[IN51GHT]

Jimmyarm said:

I haven't looked over one in detail (yet) but it does sound like plastic fan blades hitting something.

How do the Zoes produce cabin heat ? If they have a coolant heater it could be the electric coolant pump failing so you get no coolant flow through the heater matrix (hence no heat).

It was producing a small amount of heat whilst the noise persisted, than came the clunk/bang & nothing. It was a guttural noise, deep in the heater assy, like a knackered bearing. Definitely was not a sound of a fan hitting a shroud. The garage can't see anything externally.

[Jimmyarm]

IN51GHT said:

It was producing a small amount of heat whilst the noise persisted, than came the clunk/bang & nothing. It was a guttural noise, deep in the heater assy, like a knackered bearing. Definitely was not a sound of a fan hitting a shroud. The garage can't see anything externally.

Was there still air being blown out of the vents after the noise stopped ?

If so I reckon circulation pump failure of some sort, the noise is the impellor coming off or the shaft bearings collapsing allowing the impellor to hit the casing.

I'd hazard a guess that there is some sort of heating element & pump inside the car to provide heat until 'engine' heat is available, no doubt inside some unopenable lump that requires the dash to come out to access !

Will be interesting to have a poke around when my GF picks hers up and see how they have designed it all.

Wonder how long it is going to take Snap on etc to get the diagnostic licences for this stuff, I am half tempted to try getting a job at a main dealer and get a couple of years EV experience then go it solo...

Sorry for wittering on, appreciate you are probably a bit pee'd off with Zoe at present !

Edited by Jimmyarm on Thursday 15th January 14:59

[LordFlathead]

Terrible hearing that two new vehicles have failed so soon. If I were in your shoes I would be expressing no faith in that model and push for a Leaf at no extra cost (yeah doubtful but worth a conversation). Hope you get it sorted, let us know the outcome.

[IN51GHT]

A/C compressor FUBAR, no UK stock. On back order from France, minimum of 2week lead time.

Pissed off.

[appletonn]

Can they not take one off the vehicle you rejected?

Not ideal, but would have you mobile while awaiting the new part?

[IN51GHT]

Just got off the phone to customer care, basically got told I should think myself lucky they are delivering a hire car (24hrs after the car went wrong).

[IN51GHT]

an email has just been sent to the Renault UK managing director.

[hornetrider]

I hope it's sternly worded.

[IN51GHT]

It's very polite, at this stage, stating the facts & saying IMO the only option is for Renault to replace.

[IN51GHT]

Also starting to use the power of social media. It does have it's uses when certain high profile motoring journalists follow you on twitter.....

[c2mike]

IN51GHT said:

Just got off the phone to customer care, basically got told I should think myself lucky they are delivering a hire car (24hrs after the car went wrong).

So you are getting a hire car. Why so much anger?

[balls-out]

IN51GHT said:

Well then.

Just called City Motors for an update.......

The diagnostic laptop has broken, waiting on the replacement to be upfated.

Brilliant.

This sounds like a poor excuse? Doesn't sound like the sort of fault you fix with a PC?

[IN51GHT]

c2mike said:

IN51GHT said:

Just got off the phone to customer care, basically got told I should think myself lucky they are delivering a hire car (24hrs after the car went wrong).

So you are getting a hire car. Why so much anger?

Jesus.

Zoe 1 died after 150miles & 4 days, Renault replaced the vehicle, that car died after 1mile. You wonder why I'm cross.