Can someone help diagnose this noise?

[mrpseudonym]

Hi all.. just in the last week my 2016 Model X has started making a weird noise like repeated dying gasps.. it seems to be coming from behind the dash on the passenger side. It kind of sounds like the aircon, except it happens with the aircon off, and no air is coming through the vents. When you put the aircon on that motor start up and works fine, so like this is a different motor somewhere..sound is quite distinct in the video.

Aside from the sound there are no obvious negative effects, everything is still working, but I feel I have a trip to the service centre in my future.

Tesla noise

If anyone has experienced similar that would be good to know.

 

[paulp]

Sounds like your car has a small petrol engine revving in the frunk!

 

[mrpseudonym]

Sounds like your car has a small petrol engine revving in the frunk!

I know right! Weird

 

[paulp]

I wonder if a cooling fan or something for the battery or invertor has failed? Aircon is off, car isnt moving. Only other motor I can think of is windscreen washers/wipers, but clearly not moving so not wipers but could be the pump. Have you lifted the frunk to see if its inside or outside the cabin?

 

[paulp]

I know right! Weird

Air suspension pump?

 

[Quickst]

that sound sounds like a air fan of some description. Possibly the radiator fans?

 

[Power Hungry]

Possibly the radiator fans?

Radiator

 

[Quickst]

Radiator

you surprised the X has a radiator?

 

[mrpseudonym]

Yes it does seem like a fan of some description, more than a pump. which may mean its part of the battery heating/cooling system.

 

[paulp]

Radiator

There is a radiator for the battery coolant

 

[paulp]

Yes it does seem like a fan of some description, more than a pump. which may mean its part of the battery heating/cooling system.

If that is the case you probably should prioritise it being looked at, as an overheating battery is not a good thing to have

 

[Quickst]

which may mean its part of the battery heating/cooling system.

As your X is prior to the heat pump, coolant circulates between battery, inverters, drive motors to the radiator. But as far as I know only 2 fan locations - the radiator fans and cabin climate fan

 

[Power Hungry]

you surprised the X has a radiator?

Wasn't having a go at you, I thought you were joking. Just found the idea amusing. Funny!

 

[Quickst]

I thought you were joking

all good, I knew you were joking

 

[mrpseudonym]

If that is the case you probably should prioritise it being looked at, as an overheating battery is not a good thing to have

Agreed. It has the sound of a small problem right before it becomes a big one

 

[paulp]

Agreed. It has the sound of a small problem right before it becomes a big one

Have you noticed any unusual colour fluid under the car? If so that is battery coolant.

 

[mrpseudonym]

..and the answer is.. it is the fan on the autopilot computer. Board is being replaced.

Tesla is getting grief these days for its customer service. the fact that you can’t call and talk to someone is often a pain, but we need to remember that is being driven by head office. I have worked for US multinationals for a large part of my career, while being based in australia and I know US corporate policies and procedures don’t always go down well outside of the US.. anyway, long winded way of saying Ben and the team in Alexandria (sydney) are pretty amazing, and will always get 5 stars from me.

 

[Hairyman]

Agree, Ben is very good at his job

 

[meloccom]

I got a survey after my recent battery service and I gave it 5 stars, mainly because of how well Ben handled the process.