Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

17-NA-341
March, 2020

TECHNICAL
Subject:

120V Portable Charge Cord is Inoperative or Charges Vehicle Intermittently

Brand:

Models:

Model Year:

VIN:

from

to

Cadillac

CT6 Plug-In

2017

2018

Chevrolet

Volt

2016

2019

Chevrolet

Bolt EV

2017

2020

from

to

All

All

Propulsion:

Transmission:

Hybrid Electric
Hybrid Electric
Electric Vehicle

Involved Region or Country

United States and Canada

Condition

Some customers may comment that the 120V portable charge cord does not work or that
the vehicle does not charge completely or may charge intermittently.

Cause

The cause of the condition may be that the customer’s power outlet is faulty.

Correction

Test the 120V Portable Charge Cord.

Service Procedure
Danger: Improper use of portable electric vehicle
charge cords may cause a fire, electrical shock, or
burns, and may result in damage to property,
serious injury, or death.
• Do not use extension cords, multi-outlet power
strips, splitters, grounding adaptors, surge
protectors, or similar devices.
• Do not use an electrical outlet that is worn or
damaged, or will not hold the plug firmly in place.
• Do not use an electrical outlet that is not properly
grounded.
• Do not use an electrical outlet that is on a circuit
with other electrical loads.
Warning: When using electric products, basic
precautions should always be followed, including
the following:
•

•
•
•

Read all the safety warnings and instructions
before using this product. Failure to follow the
warnings and the instructions may result in electric
shock, fire, and/or serious injury.
Never leave children unattended near the vehicle
while the vehicle is charging and never allow
children to play with the charge cord.
If the plug provided does not fit the electrical outlet,
do not modify the plug. Arrange for a qualified
electrician to inspect the electrical outlet.
Do not put fingers into the electric vehicle
connector.

Copyright 2020 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

It is imperative that when the Service Technician
attempts to verify the customer concern, it is done so
using a known good dedicated power outlet at their
facility. This is critical in order to determine if the issue
is with the 120V portable charge cord, the vehicle, or it
is within the charging infrastructure (power outlet) that
the Customer uses.
1. Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle
prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
⇒ If any DTCs are set, go to Diagnostic Trouble
Code (DTC) List - Vehicle in SI.
⇒ If no DTCs are set, go to Step 2.
2. Visually inspect the 120V portable charge cord for
any damage, overheating at the power outlet plug
terminals/prongs, a defect in workmanship or
possible customer abuse.
Possible abuse issues to inspect for would be
trapping and crimping the 120V portable charge
cord in a car door, a damaged cord power outlet
plug such as missing or bent terminals/prongs or
driving over the body of the cord set. If any
damage is noted, attempt to determine if the
damage is from customer abuse or a defect in
workmanship.
⇒ If damage is determined to be from abuse,
advise the Customer that it is not covered by
warranty.
⇒ If damage is from workmanship, replace the
120V Portable Charge Cord.
⇒ If there is no damage, go to Step 3.

Page 2

March, 2020

Bulletin No.: 17-NA-341

4883463

4882890

Bulletin No.: 17-NA-341

March, 2020

3. Using a known good quality dedicated power outlet
with nothing else on the circuit, plug in the 120V
portable charge cord. Plug in the 120V portable
charge cord to the Vehicle Receptacle in the
Customer’s vehicle. After plugging in the charge
cord, it will perform a quick self test. Compare the
120V portable charge cord status lights to the
status lights on the Table.
⇒ If the status lights indicate ready to charge, go
to Step 4.
⇒ If a vehicle fault is detected, refer to SI.
⇒ If a charge cord fault is detected, replace the
120V Portable Charge Cord. Record the light
status and red blink pattern on the repair order.
4. Charge the vehicle for 5 minutes.
⇒ If the vehicle charges for 5 minutes without
interruption, return the 120V portable charge
cord and vehicle to the customer. Ask the
Customer if they can provide a short video of
the 120V portable charge cord status lights and
the dash charging status light when the problem
occurs.
Notice: It is suspected that a majority of no-charge
events will be due to the electrical outlet/plug being
overheated which is the responsibility of the owner.
If the customer states that the charging starts fine
and over the period of the charging cycle it stops
charging, it may be due to the wall outlet
overheating as shown by a flashing green light with
a solid red light. Please refer to all cautions and
warnings on the charge cord. If the charge cord is
suspected to be faulting due to temperature, the

Page 3

customer’s wall power outlet must be inspected
and replaced by a qualified licensed electrical
technician.

Battery Charging
Caution: Do not use portable or stationary backup
generating equipment to charge the vehicle. This
may cause damage to the vehicle's charging
system. Only charge the vehicle from utility
supplied power.
The 120V portable charge cord requires a minimum
circuit capacity of 120 volts and 15 amps.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under the Bumper-to-Bumper
coverage (Canada Base Warranty coverage), use the
following labor operation. Reference the Applicable
Warranties section of Investigate Vehicle History (IVH)
for coverage information.
Labor
Operation

Description

Labor Time

5080198*

Charge Cord Replacement
Avoidance Due to Customer
Power Outlet Problem

0.3 hr

5040230

Drive Motor Battery Charger
Cable Replacement

Use
Published
Labor
Operation
Time

*This is a unique Labor Operation for bulletin use only.

Version

3

Modified

Released October 27, 2017
October 05, 2018 – Added the 2019 Model Year to the Bolt EV and Volt.
March 02, 2020 – Added the 2020 Model Year to the Bolt EV.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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