There is a major challenge in designing the door handles of some electric cars. If the door handles electronically go out, a dead battery could leave you locked out and unable to open the hood. Without access to the hood, you probably won’t know how to start a flat low-voltage battery, leaving you locked out.
Here’s how to fix this problem, at least if you own a Rivian R1T or R1S. the The latest video from Out Of Spec Bits It breaks down the process, which is similar to that of most EVs with pop-up door handles.
In the video, Kyle and Scott from Out Of Spec start with 2026 Rivian R1S This is completely dead. Both low- and high-voltage batteries are dead, which is the worst-case scenario for electric cars. Without an efficient 12V battery, you often cannot run the charging system on the higher voltage battery. That’s why starting your 12 volt battery is the first step.
For most electric vehicles, there is a manual way to access the cabin or hood. On Gen 2 Rivian R1s, there is no manual way to get in, but there are a pair of wires in the trailer wiring harness that can be used as jumpers. By connecting a jump box or other vehicle battery to these cables, you can power the vehicle’s low-voltage power system and turn on high-voltage charging.
Unfortunately, the video shows that this is easier said than done. The Rivian requires a constant 12-volt signal to operate the door handles and displays, and a portable roadside jump box isn’t quite enough. Even the larger lead-acid model is not enough to make the on-board charger accept an AC connection and start charging.
This is where you connect the jump box to your Rivian R1S or R1T.
Photo by: Off-Spec Reviews (YouTube)
To solve this problem, Out Of Spec hops on Rivian the old-fashioned way, using a pair of jumper cables and a gas-powered car. The Rivian handles so much load that you can hear the Ford Crown Victoria’s engine revving, but that’s enough to charge it. From there, a DC-to-DC converter handles the rest of the low-voltage charging, while a wall plug and on-board charger charge the traction battery.
For most EVs, it won’t be that difficult. Modern electric car battery systems are designed to keep 12-volt batteries topped up, and most are easy to jumpstart when they inevitably expire. However, if you want to avoid dealing with this, the advice is the same. Always replace your 12-volt car battery every three to five years, or at least have it tested to make sure it’s still going strong. You’d hate to walk up one day and find your power door handles folded up and unable to open.
Contact the author: Mack.Hogan@insideevs.com
