This information is already out there somewhere, and I get enough questions about it that I figured I may as well make it public here, too.
The Think service manuals, owner manuals, circuit diagrams and lots of other stuff are available for download from this ftp site:
Username: Think!
Password: 1serviceinfo
If you have the misfortune of needing to replace an RLEC, you will get the RLECs ID from the diagnostic software. But you have to know where that ID is physically located in the pack. Here is a photo with all of the RLECs/modules labeled:
I’m not surprised anymore when a Think arrives at the shop and the rear liftgate is released. Often the latch position switch (that should turn on the “Door Ajar” light on the center console) is not adjusted correctly. And I’ve seen plenty of liftgate latches slowly get further and further out of adjustment until you really have to slam it to get it to shut. So here’s what you can do about it: Continue reading That Pesky Rear Liftgate Latch…
It has finally arrived! Or at least it is finally ready to be delivered!
The Think Traveling Diagnostic Kit is on its maiden voyage to southern California as of December 24, 2015. It will cost $150 per week plus shipping to rent the kit. Continue reading The Traveling Diagnostic Kit
CommTool is Enerdel’s proprietary software for communicating with the traction battery.
Think’s TechCentre diagnostic software will retrieve diagnostic trouble codes and display them in a format that is much easier to interpret than CommTool. However, TechCentre’s interface will tell you that you can clear those battery DTCs; then it will tell you that the codes cleared but that they already reset, but that’s a big fat lie!
And that is the Number One reason that CommTool is essential for Think Technicians: Some DTCs that are set by the battery are stored in non-voltile memory (which means they can’t be cleared just by disconnecting the 12V battery) and will inhibit any further battery operation until they are cleared.
Continue reading Using CommTool
There have been several revisions to the program running in the Think Power Conversion Unit (PCU). Most of these changes fixed bugs or accommodated the retrofit to a PTC heater. In this post I might throw around various terms that all essentially mean the same thing: firmware/software, release/version, update/flash/re-flash.
The latest firmware release changed the driving characteristics of the car quite significantly. Continue reading Updating PCU firmware
The headliners, that is, the interior roof linings of Thinks have been know to sag. I am thrillingly close to having a retrofit designed to fix this defect properly. Some of my previous attempts at reinforcing the headliner failed in precisely the same was as they did without the reinforcement. Once I verify that my new design is reliable, my boss and I will decide how much it will cost to do the retrofit and publish that cost. I’ll also publish the design and instructions for doing the retrofit yourself if you are so inclined or you can try to get someone else to do it for you. This post will be the first and last parts of the instructions: removing and re-installing the headliner.
The rear sidemarkers over the rear wheels are identical to the turn signals over the front wheels except for their color.
The turn signals are fairly simple to access with the same-side headlight assembly removed. They are also easier to photograph in situ, so here they are:
To start a Think you need two things (assuming everything is working properly): a key that is cut to match the key cylinder installed in the car, and a radio frequency transponder that is programmed (learned) to the computers in the car. Continue reading Transponder Relearning
First, the things you never do: Continue reading Think Technician ESSENTIALS