MG MG5 Charging at BP Pulse

MG MG5 Charger Won't Start? Step-by-Step Help

You have plugged in your MG MG5 and the charging session refuses to start. The charger might be blinking, showing an error, or doing nothing at all. This is a common problem across all EVs, and the MG5 is no exception. Most causes are easy to diagnose and fix on the spot.

Symptoms

• Charger display shows an error or stays on the start screen
• CCS2 connector plugs in but charging does not initiate
• MG5 charge port light does not turn on or stays amber
• App shows the charger as available but the session does not begin
• AC Type 2 cable locks in but no power flows

What to Do

1. 1

   Read the charger screen

   Check for error messages, authentication prompts, or status indicators. If it says 'waiting for vehicle' the problem is on the car side. If it says 'error' or 'out of service,' the charger is the issue.

2. 2

   Unplug, wait, and replug

   Remove the connector completely, wait 15 seconds, and reinsert it firmly. Listen for the locking click on the MG5's charge port. This resets the communication handshake.

3. 3

   Complete authentication

   Tap your RFID card, open the network app and start the session, or use contactless payment. Some chargers need you to authenticate before plugging in, others after.

4. 4

   Check for scheduled charging

   Go to the MG5's charging settings on the infotainment screen. If a charging schedule is active, disable it to allow immediate charging.

5. 5

   Restart the car's systems

   Turn the MG5 off using the start button, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. This can clear temporary software glitches that prevent the charge port from communicating.

6. 6

   Move to another stall or station

   If the charger is at fault, try another stall. If no stalls work, the station may have a site-wide issue. Find an alternative station using your charging app.

MG MG5 Charging Payment Failed? How to Fix It

You are standing at a charger with your MG MG5 and the payment will not work. Card declined, app throwing errors, or no idea how to pay at all. This is one of the most frustrating parts of public charging, and it happens to everyone. Here is how to get past it.

Symptoms

• RFID card not recognized when tapped on the charger
• Charging app shows payment error or transaction declined
• Contactless card payment rejected at the terminal
• Charger starts authentication but then returns an error
• Session begins but ends immediately due to payment failure

What to Do

1. 1

   Identify accepted payment methods

   Look at the charger for payment logos and instructions. Note whether it accepts RFID cards, specific apps, contactless cards, or QR code payments. Each charger may support different methods.

2. 2

   Try the network's own app

   Download the charger network's app, create an account, and add a payment method. Then start the session through the app. This bypasses RFID and contactless issues.

3. 3

   Switch to an alternative payment method

   If your primary RFID card fails, try contactless with your bank card. If that fails, try a roaming provider like Plugsurfing, Shell Recharge, or Chargemap.

4. 4

   Check your bank for blocked transactions

   Open your banking app and look for declined or pending transactions. If the pre-authorization was blocked, call your bank or temporarily increase your card limit.

5. 5

   Try a different stall

   If the card reader on one stall is broken, another stall at the same station may have a working reader. Try the next one before giving up on the location.

6. 6

   Find an alternative station

   Use your charging app to find a nearby station from a network where your payment methods are confirmed to work. Filter by your preferred payment method if the app supports it.

MG MG5 Charging Slowly? Why and How to Fix It

Your MG MG5 is charging slower than you expected. With a maximum DC speed of 87kW, the MG5 is not the fastest charger in its class, but it should still deliver reasonable speeds. If you are seeing numbers well below that, something else is going on. Here is what to check.

Symptoms

• DC charging power showing well below 87kW on the charger display
• AC charging stuck below 11kW on a capable wallbox
• Estimated charging time significantly longer than expected
• Charging speed drops sharply above 50-60% SOC
• Very slow charging in cold weather conditions

What to Do

1. 1

   Check the charger's maximum power output

   Verify the charger is rated above 87kW. If it is a 50kW charger, the MG5 is getting the maximum available. Look at the charger label or check in the network app.

2. 2

   Use preconditioning in cold weather

   Set the fast charger as your destination in the MG5's navigation system. This activates battery preconditioning, which warms the battery before you arrive and improves initial charging speed.

3. 3

   Check your state of charge

   If you are above 60% SOC, the MG5's charging taper is expected. For the fastest session, arrive at the charger between 10-20% SOC and charge to 70-80%.

4. 4

   Try a different stall to avoid power sharing

   If the station shares power between stalls, wait for other cars to finish or move to a stall that is not paired with another active charger. Some stations label which stalls share power.

5. 5

   For AC, verify your cable and charger

   Make sure you are using a 3-phase Type 2 cable on an 11kW or higher AC charger. A single-phase connection limits you to about 3.6kW, which adds many hours to a full charge.

6. 6

   Check car settings for charging limits

   In the MG5's settings, look for any AC current limit or maximum charge level that might be capping your speed.

Contactless reader not responding

You tap your bank card or phone and nothing happens. The screen does not acknowledge the tap at all, or it briefly flashes and returns to the start screen.

Symptoms

• No beep or screen change after tapping your card
• Screen flashes 'Card read error' then resets
• Apple Pay or Google Pay shows 'Done' on your phone but the charger does not start
• Reader works on one unit but not the adjacent one

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Try a physical bank card instead of your phone

   Contactless phone payments sometimes fail on BP Pulse readers even when a physical card works fine. Hold the card flat against the reader for 2-3 seconds.

2. 2

   Check for a second tap point

   Some BP Pulse units have the contactless reader on the side panel rather than below the screen. Look for a card symbol printed on the housing.

3. 3

   Clean the reader surface

   Wipe dirt, rain, or condensation off the contactless reader area with your sleeve. Moisture on the sensor can prevent a clean read.

4. 4

   Start the session via the BP Pulse app instead

   Open the app, find the charger on the map, select the connector, and tap 'Start Charging.' This bypasses the physical reader entirely.

5. 5

   Try the other connector or an adjacent unit

   If the charger has two connectors, the other side may have a working reader. Or walk to the next unit. Contactless reader failures are often limited to one specific unit.

BP Pulse app crashing on Android

The app closes unexpectedly when you try to start a session, view the map, or enter payment details. This is more common on older Android versions and after recent app updates.

Symptoms

• App closes immediately after opening
• App freezes on the map screen then crashes
• Crash when tapping 'Start Charging' after selecting a connector
• 'App keeps stopping' notification from Android

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Force close and reopen the app

   Go to Android Settings, then Apps, then BP Pulse. Tap 'Force Stop,' wait a few seconds, then open the app again.

2. 2

   Clear the app cache

   In Settings, go to Apps, then BP Pulse, then Storage, then 'Clear Cache.' This removes temporary data without deleting your account. You will not need to log in again.

3. 3

   Check for an app update

   Open the Google Play Store, search for BP Pulse, and tap 'Update' if available. Crashes often follow a buggy release that gets patched within days.

4. 4

   Use contactless payment as a backup

   If the app will not cooperate, tap your bank card on the charger's contactless reader to start a session without the app.

5. 5

   Reinstall the app if crashes persist

   Uninstall BP Pulse, restart your phone, then reinstall from the Play Store. You will need to log in again, so make sure you know your BP Pulse account email.

Charger shows 'Out of Service' with no visible damage

The screen displays 'Out of Service' or 'Unavailable,' but the charger looks perfectly fine. No broken cables, no barrier tape, no obvious reason it should be offline.

Symptoms

• Screen stuck on 'Out of Service' message
• Charger appears available in the app but shows error on arrival
• Status light is red or off entirely
• Other chargers at the same location work fine

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check the BP Pulse app for real-time status

   Open the app and look at this specific charger. If it shows as unavailable there too, the network has flagged it remotely. A maintenance team likely already knows.

2. 2

   Look for a reset button or power switch

   Some older BP Pulse units (especially former Chargemaster ones) have a small reset button behind a panel or near the base. Pressing it can sometimes clear a stuck error state.

3. 3

   Report it in the app

   Use the 'Report a problem' option on the charger's detail page in the BP Pulse app. This helps BP Pulse prioritize repairs and updates the status for other drivers.

4. 4

   Move to another charger

   An 'Out of Service' state usually means a backend fault, a communication issue with the network, or a pending software update. You cannot fix these yourself. Use another unit or location.

Charging session drops after 5-10 minutes

Charging starts normally, but the session ends on its own after a few minutes. Your car shows it is no longer receiving power, and the charger returns to the welcome screen.

Symptoms

• Car dashboard shows charging stopped unexpectedly
• Charger screen returns to 'Plug in to start' after a few minutes
• You receive a session-ended notification in the app with a very short session
• This happens repeatedly at the same charger

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check the connector is fully seated

   Unplug the cable, inspect the connector pins for dirt or debris, and plug it back in firmly until you hear a click. A loose connection can cause the charger to drop the session.

2. 2

   Check your car's charge limit

   If your car's charge limit is set very close to the current battery level, some vehicles will stop charging almost immediately. Set the limit to 80% or higher and try again.

3. 3

   Try the other connector type

   If the charger offers both CCS2 and CHAdeMO and your car supports CCS2, make sure you are using CCS2. Using the wrong connector obviously will not fit, but a worn CCS2 connector on one side may work better on the other unit.

4. 4

   Start a new session at a different unit

   Repeated drops at the same charger point to a hardware fault on that unit. Move to another charger and try again.

5. 5

   Report the faulty unit

   Note the charger ID (printed on the unit) and report it via the BP Pulse app or call the BP Pulse support number shown on the charger. This helps get the unit serviced.

Subscription vs pay-as-you-go pricing confusion

BP Pulse offers a subscription plan with lower per-kWh rates and a pay-as-you-go option with higher rates. It is not always clear which pricing you are on, or whether the subscription is worth it for your usage.

Symptoms

• Charged a higher rate than expected on your receipt
• Unsure whether your subscription is active
• Signed up for subscription but still seeing non-member prices
• Cannot figure out how to switch between plans

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check your plan status in the app

   Open the BP Pulse app, go to your account settings, and look for your subscription status. If it says 'Active,' you should be getting the lower rate automatically.

2. 2

   Make sure you are starting sessions through the app

   Subscription pricing only applies when you start the session via the BP Pulse app or RFID card linked to your account. Tapping a contactless bank card will charge you the standard pay-as-you-go rate.

3. 3

   Review your charging history for rate discrepancies

   In the app, go to Charging History and check the per-kWh rate on recent sessions. Compare this to the subscription rate listed on the BP Pulse pricing page.

4. 4

   Cancel or change your plan if needed

   You can manage your subscription in the app under Account, then Subscription. If you charge infrequently, pay-as-you-go may actually cost less overall despite the higher per-kWh rate.