How to tow a Salvage R1T

[Rivianero]

@ERod818 and @Rivanero what did you guys do to clear out the codes after replacing the airbag module and fixing the damage. Did you take it to Rivian Salvage inspection?
Thanks guys! This is all very helpful! Appreciate your help!
I'm sure I'll have more questions for you in the upcoming weeks.

Got lucky that the air bag was not deployed on mine.

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[100jacks]

@ERod818 what was your experience with the codes? Did you take it to SC or an independent shop?

 

[ERod818]

@ERod818 what was your experience with the codes? Did you take it to SC or an independent shop?

I had no other option but to take it to Rivian directly. It was a nightmare. Not sure if there are independent shops now with the Rivian Ride software but from my understanding Rivian has made it a little more accessible now. I’ve read around a little and apparently even with the software you are still limited on what can be done. ultimately it’s going to come down to the extent of the damage but just be aware that if you do end up having to take it to Rivian directly the truck/suv better be put together properly. They will have to perform a salvage vehicle inspection first and if it fails you’re gonna have a bad day. The inspection is mainly for the HV battery pack, but if they find an issue with it they will give you a hard time. What I don’t understand till this day is the salvage inspection is for the HV system but if something is off visually such as damaged or missing body panels they will not inspect the car until it is repaired. At the least that’s how the service centers worked here in my area of SoCal. Hopefully your experience goes smoother than mine.

 

[100jacks]

I had no other option but to take it to Rivian directly. It was a nightmare. Not sure if there are independent shops now with the Rivian Ride software but from my understanding Rivian has made it a little more accessible now. I’ve read around a little and apparently even with the software you are still limited on what can be done. ultimately it’s going to come down to the extent of the damage but just be aware that if you do end up having to take it to Rivian directly the truck/suv better be put together properly. They will have to perform a salvage vehicle inspection first and if it fails you’re gonna have a bad day. The inspection is mainly for the HV battery pack, but if they find an issue with it they will give you a hard time. What I don’t understand till this day is the salvage inspection is for the HV system but if something is off visually such as damaged or missing body panels they will not inspect the car until it is repaired. At the least that’s how the service centers worked here in my area of SoCal. Hopefully your experience goes smoother than mine.

Thank you for sharing your experience! I called Rivian customer service and they transferred the car to my account, but I was planning to do all the possible repairs before I tow it there for the salvage inspection.
I imagine the scrutiny is hardcore there for the DIYers. We're basically fiddling with some rudimentary tools to repair their "state of the art" machines with minimal instructions available.

 

[NY_Rob]

@100jacks.. did you check with your insurance to see if they will insure a Salvage title vehicle? A relative recently had to switch insurers because his original ins co refused to insure a Salvage title vehicle he purchased.

 

[100jacks]

@100jacks.. did you check with your insurance to see if they will insure a Salvage title vehicle? A relative recently had to switch insurers because his original ins co refused to insure a Salvage title vehicle he purchased.

No. I haven't checked that yet, thanks for the heads up! I'll cross that bridge when I make sure vehicle is road worthy.

 

[NY_Rob]

No. I haven't checked that yet, thanks for the heads up! I'll cross that bridge when I make sure vehicle is road worthy.

We had one Salvage BMW 330i on our Allstate policy about 6yrs ago. One Allstate rep happened to notice it when I was speaking with them. He said it can stay on there because it was grandfathered in, but he said if I was trying to add on an additional Salvage vehicle they wouldn't accept it. Kind of ridiculous policy IMO, I mean if it passes the state DMV recertification, then what's the problem insuring it again? Anyway, good luck with the rebuild!!

 

[100jacks]

We had one Salvage BMW 330i on our Allstate policy about 6yrs ago. One Allstate rep happened to notice it when I was speaking with them. He said it can stay on there because it was grandfathered in, but he said if I was trying to add on an additional Salvage vehicle they wouldn't accept it. Kind of ridiculous policy IMO, I mean if it passes the state DMV recertification, then what's the problem insuring it again? Anyway, good luck with the rebuild!!

Thank you! I work with Statefarm and Erie, I hope one of them will accept them. I'm sure the guy I'm purchasing this through has insured his rebuilt cars with Statefarm before. I assume that the premium might be through the roof.

 

[Rivianero]

Had some challenges finding an insurer for mine as well. Finally ended up with USAA. They didn't ask and I didn't volunteer any info about it being salvaged.

When our R1T was t-boned and totalled in December, the driver who hit us was minimally ensured. USAA paid out about $8k lower than what KBB and Edmunds showed as fair market value (especially with max battery). They noted at that time that the title showed previously salvaged and I accepted their offer, which was more than I had invested but less than replacement cost. I did pay premiums for a full-value R1T. Just some info to ponder.

 

[100jacks]

Ok. I got the car and the delivery guys were amazing, but unfortunately it's worse condition than expected.
Hydraulic lines/hoses are damaged on passager side suspension both front and rear.
Replaced the pyrofuse but center console doesn't come up. It does connect to my phone and shows 96% battery charge. I don't know if this is real tho.
There's no voltage on the pyrofuse I replaced, so it could be a faulty replacement part?
And can someone help me with these wire connectors under the Passanger fusebox. I'm assuming something for the center console is disconnected.
Apparently whoever was working on it was trying to hide the damage. Looks like all 3 side airbags have deployed and tailgate doesn't open.
Besides that body damage looks repairable.

 

[Rivianero]

OK, this is weird.

I think you bought my totaled R1T, Nanuq.
VIN 7FCTGBAA5PN028668

I recognize those connectors as from the EV Play device I had installed. I pulled this before surrendering the vehicle. This explains the center console not coming up because it is not plugged in.

The round cable plugs into to connector at the left side of the passenger footwell. The multi-pin connector is a spare, normally not connected to anything. The other wires into the fuse panel are a tap and can be removed.

If it is Nanuq, let me know. I have the panel covering the fuse box. It was at home when we were hit.

 

[ERod818]

The info you’re seeing on your phone isn’t going the be current with what’s actual on the truck at the moment. That’s what it was at last time it was synced but once you get it operational and its syncs up again then it will ready what’s actual. Sucks to hear there’s more damage, that will set you back a bit but don’t get discouraged. Where are you located? As long as your pyro fuse passes a continuity test it should be good.

 

[100jacks]

Thanks @ERod818, I'm keeping my hopes up. I'm in Moco, Maryland. Pyrofuse replaced, continuity is good. I reconnected the center console screen, thanks to @Rivianero's instructions above. Next thing is to connect with someone who can erase the crash data. I got into the RIDe menu in the car, but there's not much I can do from there.
I saw that the ECUs have healthy status compared to some other screenshots on this forum. The battery BMS reports 96v left on it.
Rivian doesn't want to send out a diagnostic mobile service until I bring it to either a certified collision center or the SC for salvage inspection.

 

[100jacks]

Good news folks! I got access to RiDE and the car is back in drive mode. It's in turtle mode, and has a lot of lights on the dashboard, but I'll start to work on it and see what I can fix myself. Suspension will definitely need work, the left rear parking brakes show like needs service, but they did unlock. I think the front brakes are low on fluid too or lines are damaged because the pedal falls thru, but the max regen definitely works and slows the car down do a full stop. Next thing is to replace the 12v battery and clear DTC again and see whats the aftermath. Happy Easter everyone!

 

[Rivianero]

That's amazing news and we wish you the best of success. I know what a whack Nanuq took. Would be incredible if you could bring it back.

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