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VW ID.4 Charging Flap Stuck? Here’s What Really Happened

By: Author Northcap Rustyautos

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By Northcap – Patrol Mechanic & New Owner of Rustyautos.com

Got called out this week to something a bit different—a fully electric VW ID.4 with a strange but urgent issue: the charging flap wouldn’t open, and the owner was low on charge.

This particular member was parked up at home, trying to juice the car up before a meeting in the city. Trouble is, the flap over the charge port was jammed shut—and that’s your lifeline in an EV.

She told me, “It just won’t open—I’ve locked and unlocked the car a dozen times.” That’s how the system works, by the way. When you unlock the car, a small solenoid behind the flap releases the latch. Then you give the flap a gentle push—it clicks, releases, and springs open.

VW-ID4

That wasn’t happening.

First Step: Listen Before You Pry

I started with something simple—listening. I locked and unlocked the car several times, putting my ear right up to the flap. Sure enough, I could hear the solenoid trying to move, which was a good sign. That ruled out a wiring issue or blown fuse.

At this stage, it appeared to be a mechanical latch issue, possibly due to dirt or grime.

The flap was just stuck.

Patience, Pressure & a Whole Lot of WD-40

Meanwhile, the member hovered nearby, clearly stressed and throwing out the classic, “Are you nearly done?”—I get it. Time pressure makes things feel ten times worse, especially when you’re watching your charging window closing.

I soaked the flap latch as best I could with WD-40 and gently pressed on the flap while locking and unlocking it repeatedly. After a few tries—click!—the latch finally released, and the flap swung open.

VW ID4

Battery on charge. Meeting back on. Member relieved.

So What Was the Fault?

Even though the latch was clean, well-lubricated, and clearly getting power, the solenoid was struggling to release the latch. My feeling? The solenoid mechanism itself was starting to fail—maybe weak, maybe binding internally.

To confirm a solenoid fault 100%, you’d ideally want to remove and bench test it, but that’s not something I can do roadside—especially not with someone pacing behind me, phone in hand, waiting for a city-bound Uber backup.

My Takeaway:

These newer EVs are loaded with clever mechanisms, but they’re not always foolproof. If your ID.4 charging flap won’t open, try this first:

  • Lock and unlock the car while listening closely
  • Spray WD-40 around the flap edges
  • Tap lightly on the flap while unlocking
  • Gently press and release the flap repeatedly

If the solenoid is failing, it may need to be replaced by a dealer, but these tricks might just buy you enough time to get back on charge and avoid a tow.