General Motors Handshake Failure Without Displayed Code

GM charger powers on and shows ready, but when plugged into the GM EV, the vehicle does not start charging and shows ‘Check Charger’ with no code on the charger.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Marginal pilot signal amplitude, Slightly bent J1772 pins, Dirty contacts in vehicle charge port, Early‑stage failure of GM control pilot driver

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Turn OFF the charger breaker before physically manipulating the connector pins.

Steps:

  • Inspect vehicle port: Use a flashlight to look into the GM vehicle’s charge port. Remove any debris with a dry, soft brush.
  • Inspect connector: Check the J1772 handle pins for slight bending or misalignment. Do not force pins back; if they are visibly bent, the cable assembly should be replaced.
  • Try another charger: If the vehicle charges normally on a public or other home charger, the GM home charger is likely at fault.
  • Power cycle: Turn the breaker OFF for 2 minutes, then ON, and retry.

If the issue persists only with this charger and multiple vehicles, the pilot driver on the GM control board may be degrading. Professional service or replacement is recommended.

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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

GM Pilot Driver Circuit / J1772 Connector
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