FYI: Tesla is physically disconnecting radar from 2021-2022 Plaid

[razh]

Moderator note: Edited thread title to reflect the radar units in question are being disconnected, instead of removed.

I had mobile service visit me to fix the trunk lunch on my 2022 Model S Plaid.

As part of the service bulletin, an entry said, "Disable and remove front radar." I asked the tech about it, and he explained it was a service bulletin that was added by the Tesla mothership. The directions were to open the frunk, lift the liner, remove the radar, and install a cap on the connector.

The tech checked my software version and confirmed my car software hadn't used radar for over 3 months.

 

[saj070]

Make sure your homelink is working because they need to attach a new wire next to the radar sensor

I had same think radar disable and homelink stop working

 

[razh]

Thanks, I found another thread on this topic: Tesla wants to physically disable Front Radar in my 2022 Model S for Tesla Vision

I can confirm home link still works.

 

[beatle]

Why physically remove? That seems like unnecessary work for something that can otherwise just be ignored in software. And why only remove it on the refresh cars? I have (now) useless radar in my 2019 as well.

Are they repurposing the radar sensors for some other project? Maybe they're selling them to a manufacturer that still believes radar works? Such as all of them?

 

[uscbucsfan]

Why physically remove? That seems like unnecessary work for something that can otherwise just be ignored in software. And why only remove it on the refresh cars? I have (now) useless radar in my 2019 as well.

Are they repurposing the radar sensors for some other project? Maybe they're selling them to a manufacturer that still believes radar works? Such as all of them?

A mobile tech told me that the software that disabled the radar didn't cut power and it's still using power, which is why they are recommending to disconnect it.

Not sure how true that is, but that's what I was told.

 

[beatle]

That seems plausible, but I wonder how much power the radar sensor is really drawing, and why does Tesla care so much about that?

This page refers to an automotive radar system using at max, 20 watts:

Automotive Radar System Basics | Automotive Radar tutorial

This Automotive Radar tutorial covers Automotive Radar System basics.It mentions specifications and frequency bands used in automotive radar system.

www.rfwireless-world.com

Some of the newer ones use 1.2w. There is something very mysterious about this.

 

[GtiMart]

Ah! and everyone was laughing at me when I suggested I might remove my radar since it's not useful anymore. Even Tesla's doing it! I might do it if I can get my hands on that plug

 

[ucmndd]

That seems plausible, but I wonder how much power the radar sensor is really drawing, and why does Tesla care so much about that?

This page refers to an automotive radar system using at max, 20 watts:

Automotive Radar System Basics | Automotive Radar tutorial

This Automotive Radar tutorial covers Automotive Radar System basics.It mentions specifications and frequency bands used in automotive radar system.

www.rfwireless-world.com

Some of the newer ones use 1.2w. There is something very mysterious about this.

The Continental ARS4-B radar used in Model S draws a whopping 4 watts.

Continental ARS4-B Datasheet

 

[uscbucsfan]

The consensus elsewhere seems to be the water intrusion issue.

 

[dmurphy]

The consensus elsewhere seems to be the water intrusion issue.

Was going to suggest same. Had my radar unit replaced about a month ago for that, but honestly, they could've just as easily removed it.

 

[uscbucsfan]

Was going to suggest same. Had my radar unit replaced about a month ago for that, but honestly, they could've just as easily removed it.

Yes, on Reddit it says since they aren't using it, they are just disconnecting it.

 

[DerbyDave]

Maybe it is difficult to determine on future software that supports the new HD radar if the new HD Radar is installed, or the old unsupported radar?

 

[uscbucsfan]

Maybe it is difficult to determine on future software that supports the new HD radar if the new HD Radar is installed, or the old unsupported radar?

I doubt that because they aren't removing it from any other cars.

 

[DerbyDave]

Maybe the removal has just started, and that legacy pre 2021+ cars use different MCUs?

 

[Dan D.]

Are they physically removing the radar box or just "removing" the connection to the car? I don't know why that is unclear, either they take it out or they don't, which is it?

This article was rewritten to suggest they do not take the radar unit out of the car.

Tesla is now disabling Model S radar sensors during service visits

Tesla service technicians are now removing Model S radar sensors during routine service appointments at Tesla Service Centers.

driveteslacanada.ca

Editor’s note: this article has been a{sic} updated to clarify the radar is only being disconnected, not removed entirely.

 

[MP3Mike]

Are they physically removing the radar box or just "removing" the connection to the car? I don't know why that is unclear, either they take it out or they don't, which is it?

Yeah, the TSB only shows disconnecting it, and putting a cap on both the cable and radar unit.

 

[blkswn]

I know in the beginning when Tesla was switching FSD Beta users to Tesla Vision there was some bug Greentheonly pointed out. I wonder if it's related to that? The Tesla Vision capable software branches would prevent Radar modules from booting up in radar equipped cars, but if the radar does happen to boot it would cause some type of memory leak or error IIRC...

 

[JeffTutorialsY]

OP, did you watch the Mobile Tech disable the radar from the frunk, or did they remove the front bumper to get to it?

Personally, I'm fine with them doing it from the frunk, but I don't want them messing with the bumper.

 

[jc55]

Just for the refreshed S or is this something all S owners need to worry about?

 

[JeffTutorialsY]

Just for the refreshed S or is this something all S owners need to worry about?

2021 and 2022 Model S, as mentioned in the thread title