2021 model 3 LR heat blowing cold. Error

[.251]

The VCFRONT_a447 error came back (several times) on my '21 SR+ and it's now booked in for a service on Monday.

 

[Spuzzz]

The VCFRONT_a447 error came back (several times) on my '21 SR+ and it's now booked in for a service on Monday.

Isn’t it summer right now for you? Or is your Melbourne not in Australia?

 

[.251]

Isn’t it summer right now for you? Or is your Melbourne not in Australia?

Yes, I'm in Australia, it is summer, and it is warm. The symptoms for the failure here have been the climate control system blowing ambient temp air at the highest fan speed.

I made a service appointment via the app a few days ago and attached the error code. I got a call yesterday from someone at the local Tesla service centre who said they've ordered parts for the repair and rescheduled my service.

 

[SylvainG]

Got a VCFRONT_a161CompressorFault myself last December (same problem, no heat) which was fixed by replacing the compressor and supermanifold. Daughter's M3 got the dreaded VCFRONT_a447 error today. Both are SR+ 2021. She's already at 2021.44.30.7. Car was parked, plugged in, since last Thursday outside, temperature ranging from -30C to -5C. It's -16C now. Sucks

Hmm, somehow I lost the ability to edit my post... Anyway, she just got a called today. They're taking in her car tomorrow and lending her a car while it's being fixed. Only good thing to say about our service center so far

 

[Spuzzz]

Yes, I'm in Australia, it is summer, and it is warm. The symptoms for the failure here have been the climate control system blowing ambient temp air at the highest fan speed.

I made a service appointment via the app a few days ago and attached the error code. I got a call yesterday from someone at the local Tesla service centre who said they've ordered parts for the repair and rescheduled my service.

Oh I see…I thought this error was for a malfunctioning heat pump. Must be a more general climate control or sensor error

 

[.251]

Oh I see…I thought this error was for a malfunctioning heat pump. Must be a more general climate control or sensor error

Here's a description of how the heat pump provides heating the cooling: How Tesla Heat Pump Works (vs HVAC Heat Pumps) - aircondlounge

Update: Tesla has pushed back the repair/service six weeks to March. No A/C for the rest of the summer and just in time for autumn...

 

[Bosfutureowner]

Just got it this morning. Updating software to 2021.44.30.7. Will update on whether this does anything.

No issues since the update. Including a couple of 10 f degree days.

 

[mat1990dj]

No issues since the update. Including a couple of 10 f degree days.

Is your front flap open?
Edit: asking because I’m on.7 and traveling tomorrow. Early 2021 model Y parked inside the garage has open even sleeping

 

[mat1990dj]

Can confirm I have ice buildup around my radiator louver, and it was in the open position when the car was off otherwise. I'm going to try to get rid of this later today.

View attachment 754884

Adding that I just find out that my front louver is now always open after the update

 

[Spuzzz]

Here's a description of how the heat pump provides heating the cooling: How Tesla Heat Pump Works (vs HVAC Heat Pumps) - aircondlounge

Update: Tesla has pushed back the repair/service six weeks to March. No A/C for the rest of the summer and just in time for autumn...

Thanks… I didnt realize a heat pump in a car could provide ac.

 

[Percy]

A/c IS a heat pump/
One side gets warm, the other side gets cool.
It ain't rocket science.

 

[SylvainG]

I've been dealing with HVAC issues since September. I already had one set of actuators replaced, then another set, and while they were doing that they needed to replace a temperature sensor. I had to give them exact times I was using HVAC so they could look at logs. The problem STILL isn't solved. Three appointments, and I still can't get my car to provide heat consistently.

Could 'lemon law' be used in those circumstances?

 

[bkokes]

Hey. I have a S Plaid. I first had this same error January 14. After 5 weeks tesla finally completed a full replacement of the climate system. Yesterday (2/24), not even a week after getting the car back, my car is now back to square 1. Same exact error. I brought it directly to Tesla and they assured me that there was no hardware issue, it was firmware. It’s absurd that after over a month of not having my car, waiting for parts, and not even having the car back for a week it’s already broken again. I’m honestly just ready to lemon law this car…

 

[rk242]

Hey. I have a S Plaid. I first had this same error January 14. After 5 weeks tesla finally completed a full replacement of the climate system. Yesterday (2/24), not even a week after getting the car back, my car is now back to square 1. Same exact error. I brought it directly to Tesla and they assured me that there was no hardware issue, it was firmware. It’s absurd that after over a month of not having my car, waiting for parts, and not even having the car back for a week it’s already broken again. I’m honestly just ready to lemon law this car…

I also have a Model S Plaid, and this morning (Feb 26 2022) the heater stopped working with an error code VCFRONT_a447. The car was making some strange fart-like noises to go with that.

Scheduled an appointment with the app for the earliest possible date (March 21 2022).

 

[.251]

The cause for my VCFRONT_a447 error turned out to be a split o-ring/seal between the octovalve and one of the A/C lines, which resulted in a loss of refrigerant. So, definitely a hardware fault in my case.

 

[dorsai]

I've been dealing with HVAC issues since September. I already had one set of actuators replaced, then another set, and while they were doing that they needed to replace a temperature sensor. I had to give them exact times I was using HVAC so they could look at logs. The problem STILL isn't solved. Three appointments, and I still can't get my car to provide heat consistently.

I had the same struggle after receiving my early heat pump car (Dec 2020 delivery). It went in to the shop 5 times before they sorted it (well, hopefully, haven't had the issue in a few months) and I think they replaced: high & low side evap pressure/temp sensors, the evaporator, and the compressor.

It's an odd intermittent issue, but I think it might be due to a marginally functioning compressor that occasionally trips in just the right conditions, but can reset after enough time or a full power cycle. One odd thing I had was that when it would go bad, occasionally it would pump full heat until you change the temperature at all, then it would cut off entirely. That one might have been due to faulty P/T sensors though.