When you’re contemplating buying a brand new or used Hyundai Ioniq 5, one acronym you could have encountered is ICCU, which could deliver with it some apprehension. ICCU stands for Built-in Charging Management Unit, an integral part that consolidates varied charging controllers and energy conversion components into one unit.
Whereas the ICCU is a classy piece of expertise, it isn’t proof against failure, notably within the part that prices the 12V battery. This is not an unusual challenge, as low-voltage batteries can fail in any automobile if the alternator is not functioning accurately. For Hyundai Ioniq 5 drivers and people of different E-GMP-based electrical automobiles (EVs), a “Energy Restricted” warning will seem on the digital dashboard, indicating that the automotive is shedding energy progressively till it turns into motionless, necessitating a tow.
The ICCU is located on high of the battery pack and beneath the rear seats. Though failures of this unit seem like comparatively uncommon given the rising gross sales of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis E-GMP automobiles, a handful of great incidents have left many homeowners feeling anxious. Recollects have been initiated to rectify these issues, however some drivers have reported experiencing ICCU failures even after repairs.
In accordance with information from the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA), drivers ought to nonetheless have the ability to function their automobiles for about 45 minutes after the warning seems. Nonetheless, it will get difficult. Hyundai has issued two recollects in the USA, the most recent occurring in November, affecting 145,351 EVs, together with fashions from the Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia lineups. Related recollects have taken place in different elements of the world.
The ICCU manages not solely DC quick charging and AC charging but additionally ensures the 12V battery is functioning accurately. Moreover, it oversees the vehicle-to-load function, which permits customers to attract energy from the high-voltage battery for instruments, home equipment, and even houses by way of an adapter.
The recall report identifies two principal causes for ICCU failure: overvoltage firstly and finish of the 12V battery charging cycle and thermal loading throughout charging or driving. A transistor inside the ICCU can fail, resulting in a blown fuse that gives energy to the 12V battery.
To handle the problem, technicians will first test for a selected diagnostic hassle code (DTC) within the automobile’s system. If no code is current, they are going to replace the ICCU’s software program. If a code is discovered, each the ICCU and the fuse should be changed, together with flushing the low-conductivity coolant. Moreover, the software program will bear an replace.
The software program modification alters how the ICCU makes use of the high-voltage battery for charging the 12V battery and mandates a “mushy begin” for the low-voltage DC-to-DC converter throughout charging. Hyundai asserts that this method reduces the overvoltage linked to failure causes. Moreover, changes to the operation of followers and water pumps will assist regulate temperatures inside the ICCU.
Statistically, solely about 1% of the 200,000 automobiles concerned within the recall could expertise ICCU failure, translating to roughly 2,000 automobiles. By January 22, round 41,137 Hyundai and Genesis automobiles had already acquired the repair, together with 14,828 Kia EV6s. Trade studies point out that whereas the problem is important, it’s statistically unlikely that particular person E-GMP homeowners will encounter it.
Though many automobiles have been mounted, it doesn’t imply that each one have had their ICCUs changed; some merely required a software program replace. Nonetheless, homeowners who’ve skilled automobile failures on the highway share issues that the repairs could not totally resolve the issue.
Testimonials from affected people spotlight ongoing frustrations, with some reporting a number of failures even after replacements had been made. Delays in receiving mandatory repairs have additionally been reported, resulting in deeper dissatisfaction with Hyundai’s dealing with of those points.
In response to inquiries about preventative measures for the ICCU, a consultant from Hyundai instructed that homeowners ought to have the treatment carried out. Nonetheless, this advice is troublesome for many who have confronted the identical malfunction repeatedly, elevating doubts in regards to the effectiveness of the recall and the reliability of the claimed 1% failure fee.
Makes an attempt to acquire particular statistics on post-recall failures of the ICCU had been met with no response from Hyundai. Consequently, homeowners are left to depend on the printed info from the NHTSA, which asserts that the majority affected automobiles ought to stay operational.
It’s value noting that dissatisfied clients usually voice their experiences extra loudly than happy ones. Many specific a insecurity in each their automobiles and Hyundai’s skill to deal with the scenario, prompting additional discussions on platforms like Reddit.
You probably have encountered issues with the ICCU in your Hyundai, Kia, or Genesis EV, be at liberty to share your expertise.
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