Headlights flickering, cause?

[kaoru]

Here in Ottawa it’s been really cold. My Model 3 is my daily which I park at work 9-5. Of course, since update 2018.50 I’ve enjoyed leaving work at 5 in warm car thanks to the “keep climate on”. However, yesterday I got into the car and noticed that the headlights flickered momentarily. I thought it was weird but it went away. Today I got into my car and each headlight did it individually at different times (a few secs apart). They just flickered a few times then acted like normal. I’m guessing that it’s not a headlight module issue since my driver side was replaced by service. It may be the cold as it was < -18 today/yesterday. Anybody else notice this?

 

[richyrich]

I don't think it's the cold, I think it's something in 2018.50. It's happened to me a few times since I got the update, mostly when starting up and about the leave my garage but a couple of times out on the road. Temperature was nothing special.

 

[pcons]

There's a thread in the main model 3 page started about this. I noticed it this morning too and didn't think much of it until I saw others posting about it too.

 

[niker23]

Yes. I noticed this as well after 2018.50. Generally it flickers at startup but have noticed that it also happens after 10-15 mins into my commute.

 

[1Step2NoGas]

I've also had this happen twice. Both times it was cold, less than -10ºC. I noticed only at night as the M3 sits outside all the time.

 

[Claytron]

I've also had this happen to me a couple times. Lights flicker after starting the car, but seemed fine shortly after. It was cold, but it's always cold these days, so can't specifically attribute it to the weather. I had never seen it prior to 2018.50.

 

[Darthbenji]

Happened to me tonight in the first five minutes of my drive and then not again

 

[Bushcaddy]

Same with me on 2018.50.

 

[Techniques]

Sucks you guys are experiencing this. Looks like i’ll hold off on 2018.50 for time being. Hopefully a patch will be pushed soon.

 

[ewoodrick]

I'd suggest not keeping the climate control on all day, just turn on minutes before you leave.
Keeping it on all day is going to cause some premature failures, that may be expensive to fix

 

[Zirak]

Ok, I thought it was just me with defective headlights... at least I feel a bit better knowing its happening to a bunch of you folks. Seems like a software defect.

 

[FatLam]

Just noticed the same thing last night ! On 2018.50 too ...

 

[jjtsl]

On 2018.50 too and noticed this a few days ago, but it is only upon starting and doesn't seem to be a problem after that.

 

[kaoru]

Well, when my driver side headlight module was replaced, Phil (the Tesla ranger) explained that the module has to be "paired" with the car in order to work. Initially the headlight didn't want to turn on and the firmware (on the headlight module; they have their own CU) had to be authorized to the car's MCU requiring tweaking via his Tesla laptop. This means that any part can't just be replaced without said knowledge or connection tools. I would not be surprised if the flickering is caused by 2018.50 "polling" the headlight modules for authorization/testing and that's what we're seeing. I know that 2018.50 has more security features... Tesla is offering a free Model 3 to any hacker who can hack into the car (I assume software only or through accessible hardware, aka the USB port).

 

[Techniques]

Has the flickering gotten better, or gone away for anyone? I have an update pending but will probably hold off. Also have seen there is a 2018.50.5 floating around.

 

[Blu-Ion]

Just got 2018.50... And flicker!

 

[Funkmobile]

Has the flickering gotten better, or gone away for anyone? I have an update pending but will probably hold off. Also have seen there is a 2018.50.5 floating around.

2018.50.5 does not solve the flickering.

2018.50 was the "testing" release
2018.50.5 is the "general/validated" release of 2018.50

 

[richyrich]

Talked to Service today and they told me it's a known issue and a fix is in the works.

 

[Darthbenji]

Haven’t had it since the first night with 50

 

[iMoe]

Haven’t had it since the first night with 50

Sounds exciting (sorry couldn't resist )