rhuber
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2021
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- Location
- Peoria, IL
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- Model S Plaid, 64 Mustang
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- #1
Two days ago, I approached my R1S, but it didn't unlock because the 12v battery was dead.
Important note: this was entirely my fault and not Rivian's. This is not the same bug from a few months ago. This is not an issue you will have with your vehicle.
I followed the procedures in the tow guide to recover, and gained access to the front trunk area, so that I could attach a battery charger directly to each 12v battery. I was able to charge the primary (driver's side), but the secondary refused to take a charge. I spent a good amount of time trying to get it to work, but the vehicle was actually functioning normally. I put in a request for a second battery and indicated some urgency, as I thought I might end up killing the primary again if the secondary battery was completely dead.
Rivian service was very helpful over the phone and I actually got a call back from a tech in the local service center. They asked me some questions and then asked if I had been trying to charge the left side and had removed the red lead. I had. The tech then informed me that the left side, which is the same form factor as a battery, is actually a capacitor in the new builds.
So, it is confirmed that Rivian has moved to a single battery up front. The vehicle is working fine after being charged up. My only note to rivian would be a suggestion that they update their towing guide to reflect this change. It specifically says that the rear (hitch area) leads are for the primary battery, and to charge the secondary battery directly. There is no longer a second battery, so the leads near the hitch receiver can actually be used to fully charge a dead 12v system, without ever opening the front trunk.
Hope this is useful to someone. I like that Rivian is making changes on the fly to refine the platform in real time. Optimizations like this are important for their long term success, and I commend them for working toward lower costs, especially in cases like this, where the customer impact is nil.
P.s. - someone should let ohmmu and the like know that their aftermarket battery solution should be reevaluated on newer vehicles.
Important note: this was entirely my fault and not Rivian's. This is not the same bug from a few months ago. This is not an issue you will have with your vehicle.
I followed the procedures in the tow guide to recover, and gained access to the front trunk area, so that I could attach a battery charger directly to each 12v battery. I was able to charge the primary (driver's side), but the secondary refused to take a charge. I spent a good amount of time trying to get it to work, but the vehicle was actually functioning normally. I put in a request for a second battery and indicated some urgency, as I thought I might end up killing the primary again if the secondary battery was completely dead.
Rivian service was very helpful over the phone and I actually got a call back from a tech in the local service center. They asked me some questions and then asked if I had been trying to charge the left side and had removed the red lead. I had. The tech then informed me that the left side, which is the same form factor as a battery, is actually a capacitor in the new builds.
So, it is confirmed that Rivian has moved to a single battery up front. The vehicle is working fine after being charged up. My only note to rivian would be a suggestion that they update their towing guide to reflect this change. It specifically says that the rear (hitch area) leads are for the primary battery, and to charge the secondary battery directly. There is no longer a second battery, so the leads near the hitch receiver can actually be used to fully charge a dead 12v system, without ever opening the front trunk.
Hope this is useful to someone. I like that Rivian is making changes on the fly to refine the platform in real time. Optimizations like this are important for their long term success, and I commend them for working toward lower costs, especially in cases like this, where the customer impact is nil.
P.s. - someone should let ohmmu and the like know that their aftermarket battery solution should be reevaluated on newer vehicles.
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