Mokka EV's Mystery: Grinding Noise & ABS Light Problems

Hey there! I've got some experience with EVs and had a similar issue with my 2023 Vauxhall Corsa-e last year. Those symptoms sound really familiar, especially that grinding noise! Took it to my local workshop and they found worn gear bits in the transfer case oil, just like you're suspecting. Cost me about 210€ to get it sorted, including the oil change and labor. The mechanic had to flush the system and replace some components. Before I share more specific details about my repair process, what's your current mileage and have you noticed any other warning lights besides the ABS? Also, did the noise start suddenly or gradually get worse? BTW, if it helps, I've got a medium level of car knowledge, enough to understand the basics but I still leave the complex stuff to the pros!

Thanks for your response! My mileage is currently at 103794 KM and I had my last service about 2 months ago. The noise actually started gradually over the past few weeks, getting more noticeable during acceleration. The ABS light is the only warning light I'm seeing right now. Would be great to hear more about your repair process, it's a bit worrying that you found worn gear bits, but at least the fix wasn't too expensive! Your experience definitely helps, especially since these electric drivetrains can be a bit tricky to diagnose.

Oh hey again! Yeah, those symptoms do sound very similar to what I experienced. When my Corsa-e started making those noises, I was at around 68,000 KM, so pretty close to where you're at now. I remember when I took it to the workshop, they did a complete diagnostic scan first because of the ABS light. In my case, the gradual noise development was exactly like yours, started subtle and got more noticeable during acceleration. The mechanic explained that the wear in the transfer case was causing metal particles to circulate in the oil, which was affecting the gear engagement. The repair process involved: 1. Draining the old transfer case oil 2. Cleaning out the metal particles 3. Inspecting the gears (they found some wear on the reduction gear) 4. Replacing the worn components 5. Filling with new oil After the repair, the whining noise completely disappeared and the ABS light went off too. Been running smooth for about 8 months now! Since you mentioned your last service was 2 months ago, did they check the transfer case oil then? Sometimes these issues can develop pretty quickly in EVs. Might be worth giving them a call to check if they noticed anything unusual during the service. Let me know if you want any more specific details about the repair, happy to share what I learned from my experience!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info about your repair experience! Actually, they didn't specifically check the transfer case oil during my last service, I just had the regular maintenance items done. I'll definitely call the workshop tomorrow and mention your experience with the Corsa-e, especially since our mileage and symptoms are so similar. It's really reassuring to hear that the repair sorted out both the noise and the ABS light in your case. And the fact that it's been running smoothly for 8 months gives me hope! I was worried this might turn into some massive repair job, but seems like it might be a relatively straightforward fix. I'll book it in for next week and make sure they check for those metal particles you mentioned. Really appreciate you taking the time to share all this, it's exactly the kind of real-world experience I was hoping to hear about!