Welcome to Tesla Motors Club
Discuss Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, Roadster and More.
Register

Bad UMC: Model S not charging

This site may earn commission on affiliate links.
After commenting just 20 min ago how much I enjoy the Model S, I came home this evening, plugged in Model S and then:

1) Model S locked the charging cable to the car and wouldn't release and wasn't charging
2) Somehow, I got it to release the charging cable (via Open Charge Port, pushing the charging cable button, something like that I'm not sure)
3) I re-plugged in charging cable and the color of the charging lights around the charging port stays either white or blue. I repeated this several times with the same result even after resetting the 17" screen and the driving screen and pressing Reset button on the charger. The light is green on the little charging box close to the wall outlet (but it doesn't show flashing green LEDs when plugged into the car)
4) What do I do? I have 138 miles left.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
Can you verify if the cable is getting pushed *all* the way in? I've seen/heard where this can happen when not fully engaged.

I've removed and re-inserted the charging cable excessively in frustration already (about 20x in rapid succession).

- - - Updated - - -

I'd also try another charging source. A few owners have had faulty UMCs. Are there any J1772s near you?

I tried at a regular 120v outlet with same result. I've also flipped the breakers on/off on my 240v outlet (they were not originally tripped).

Hmmm.... just guessing ...maybe the fuse for the twin chargers in the vehicle are broken or need to be replaced. I didn't have a Delivery Specialist here in TX, so I don't know where the fuse box is. Need to learn.
 
Well, it depends on how quickly you need to get back charging... I would say call Tesla service and ask them to look at logs to figure out why.

But if I had to get charging *now*... I would consider pulling and re-inserting fuse #44 (charger / charge port), #53 (battery mgmt), and #51 (touchscreen) just to start with a fresh boot and see if that fixes it. I really hate solutions like this, but if you need to be online -- well, you do what you can.
 
Well, it depends on how quickly you need to get back charging... I would say call Tesla service and ask them to look at logs to figure out why.

But if I had to get charging *now*... I would consider pulling and re-inserting fuse #44 (charger / charge port), #53 (battery mgmt), and #51 (touchscreen) just to start with a fresh boot and see if that fixes it. I really hate solutions like this, but if you need to be online -- well, you do what you can.

Thanks for mentioning the fuse numbers. This helps a lot. However, I will call Tesla service first and follow up with the results in this forum.
 
Well, it depends on how quickly you need to get back charging... I would say call Tesla service and ask them to look at logs to figure out why.

But if I had to get charging *now*... I would consider pulling and re-inserting fuse #44 (charger / charge port), #53 (battery mgmt), and #51 (touchscreen) just to start with a fresh boot and see if that fixes it. I really hate solutions like this, but if you need to be online -- well, you do what you can.

Sounds like he needs to know where the fuse box itself is located.
 
Coincidentally, now my car won't charge either! I've had the car for about 3 weeks now, and neither charging at home with the UMC connected to a NEMA 14-50, nor at work with the J1772 adapter seems to work. It registers the correct voltage and amperage rating, then shuts off when it can't draw the amps. Error message indicates something might be wrong with the connector.

I called the roadside assistance number, they recommended me bringing it to the local service center. I'd just brought it in earlier today to have them take a look at some wind noise and also update the car picture in the dash with the wheels that I'd gotten (was displaying the 19" and I have the 21" greys).
 
pguerra, Just call Tesla 24/7 Roadside Assistance number and let them do remote diagnostics.

mrbry, I had the wrong wheels in my pic too. The tech looked and the config was properly set to 21 Silver's but 19's were displayed. He finally fixed it by setting the config to 21 greys and then back to 21 silvers and viola! So in case yours is the same way, tell them to try changing to the wrong wheel and then back.
 
My UMC went bad and did would not charge. I tested by using a J1772 charging station and that worked normally. It happened on the weekend, so I charged at the local Nissan dealership. Very nice dealership. Tesla sent a new one next day air which corrected the problem.
 
pguerra, Just call Tesla 24/7 Roadside Assistance number and let them do remote diagnostics.

mrbry, I had the wrong wheels in my pic too. The tech looked and the config was properly set to 21 Silver's but 19's were displayed. He finally fixed it by setting the config to 21 greys and then back to 21 silvers and viola! So in case yours is the same way, tell them to try changing to the wrong wheel and then back.

Yeah, I don't think they had any problems fixing that, it's fixed now though. Although it's left at the service center this morning for them to check out now due to the issue with the chargeport now. They tried their charger and it failed also. So something serious is up with my chargeport. I've had my car for about 3 weeks now no problem and have charged it at home and at various J1772 lvl2 chargers as well as the superchargers.
 
So here's what happened:

After leaving to work yesterday in AM, I look at the color around the charge port. It is white with the charging cable plugged in. I go to remove the charging cable. Upon touching it or pressing the button (I can't remember which), I hear the locking sound and the charge port turns green. NOW it decides to charge...too bad I have to leave for work. So I take the car to work and when I get back I eagerly await full charging functionality and ease of use just like it worked before up until these past 2 days.

When I plug in the charger. Again, nothing. Just white.

I remove and plug in very, very slowly (I've also done this before and the chargeport color remained white upon insertion). This time, the chargeport color turns yellow. I insert it a little bit further...and green and charging! Ahh, tomorrow (today) I will have a charged car and a great ride!

Of course, unreliable charging is completely unacceptable on an electric vehicle. So, now I'm going to check how well or not Tesla service works. Will post diagnosis and treatment as soon as Tesla Service lets me know.
 
Another one for this thread. My Model S decided to not charge 2 nights ago...insert UMC and light stays WHITE. Tried 110 instead of my NEMA 14-50, nothing. Tried all the resetting suggested by 24-hour Tesla service! Gave up and went to bed expecting a call from Fremont Service Center at 9am next day! Came out to check and charging "worked" for both 110 and 240! According to service rep - "it was just a glitch and it's a known problem with V4.1 SW release (which I have)" - I should call back if the "glitch" comes back!

Went home early last night so I could try charging and call while service center was still open - wouldn't charge...grrrr! BUT...

If I squeezed the UMC handle (by pure luck), lights went from white to blue to flashing green and charging! Until I let go of the handle! Hmmm..

Turns out my problem is my UMC which will be replaced tomorrow when I visit Freemont Service center. So I charged last night just fine by using one of my shop clamps to act like I was squeezing the UMC handle! Upon inspection, it appears that the manufacturing process for the handle might leave something to be desired! It is obviously manufactured as two separate units that are press-fitted together (or something like that).

Morale of the story: If you are having trouble with your UMC properly engaging and charging, try a little squeeze of the handle!

cheers