Instrument cluster fan replacement

[132]

I suspected that the fan that cools the chip on the instrument cluster was making a large amount of noise.
When I the car in for a separate minor issue and air bag recall I had them check it out.

Yes it's the fan, but they only will replace the entire module...at $1000.

I know from experience that processor fans are inexpensive and ridiculously easy to swap.

Having to replace the entire cluster is simply excessively wasteful.

Anyone here have experience pulling the cluster.

 

[Tam]

...a large amount of noise....

If the fan is noisy, does that mean it is still running and not dead just yet?

Why pay $1,000 to replace a running fan?

 

[132]

If the fan is noisy, does that mean it is still running and not dead just yet?

Why pay $1,000 to replace a running fan?

Yes it is still running, but when fans get progressively more noisy it is a sign of imminent failure. Then I will definitely have to replace the entire cluster as the chip it's cooling could fry.

Yes it is really really noisy. So noisy sometimes you can hear it over the sound system playing at a high level. It's also a bit embarrassing, even more so for Tesla. " Yes Jim, I know it's a $110k car, but what's the big deal about having to talk really loudly?"

Yes why pay $1000 for an entire cluster. It's not just expensive, it's not necessary when the part costs a few dollars. I have no problem with paying the labor costs to tesla service to replace a fan. It's like having to buy new wheels if a tire goes flat

 

[132]

Bump

Would really love help on this.

 

[demundus]

So you're out of warranty I take it? When you say cluster you mean IC, meaning where the speedometer shows? Take it out, measure the fan, try to find a replacement in china, wire it in. Alternatively find someone with a smashed IC and buy their fan.

If I'm not mistaken (i replaced my IC from 2013 with one from 2015), the newer ICs dont even have a fan, they are heatsink driven... But my memory escapes me on what the back of my IC looked like before I swapped it.

 

[132]

So you're out of warranty I take it? When you say cluster you mean IC, meaning where the speedometer shows? Take it out, measure the fan, try to find a replacement in china, wire it in. Alternatively find someone with a smashed IC and buy their fan.

If I'm not mistaken (i replaced my IC from 2013 with one from 2015), the newer ICs dont even have a fan, they are heatsink driven... But my memory escapes me on what the back of my IC looked like before I swapped it.

Thanks for the response. I'm not sure how to get to the ic. Do I need any special tools to pull it, any tricks, what not to do...

Fans of all sizes are available at Fry's or online. I'm not worried about getting a replacement. There is a real possibility that it's simply a dust bunny has rapped itself around the spindle part of the fan.
Ive worked on enough PC's to know this is common.

Would be really interested to know if the chip is the same and they simply put on a heat sink in newer version.

 

[demundus]

You need to remove the entire dash trim, its held in by 4 screws.

su - tesla: Hack the S

 

[Btr_ftw]

Checkout my most recent videos. Should take about 30mins. Pull up on dash on the drivers side and you can sneak it out.

 

[Naonak]

I believe the fan is going out on my Instrument Cluster as well. I would like to replace the fan as well... Does anyone have further info on this?

Also, can I use a cluster from any year? If so, does it need to be married to the car or is it just a plug and play replacement?

 

[demundus]

The new ICs dont have fans I dont think... so that should tip you off as to the design

I dont know the size offhand, and I don't have my old IC to measure. You should ask the service center, but my memory tells me it was a pin plugnplay like a CPU fan

 

[Naonak]

The new ICs dont have fans I dont think... so that should tip you off as to the design

I dont know the size offhand, and I don't have my old IC to measure. You should ask the service center, but my memory tells me it was a pin plugnplay like a CPU fan

Yeah, I did some research. The new ICs definitely only have a heatsink, the old ones have a squirrel cage fan.

I'd like to order the fan before I remove the cluster, obviously... a direct fit part would be great.

However, I'm considering replacing the whole IC with a newer, higher-resolution one (which would give the added bonus of eliminating a fan)... are they just plug and play and don't require a pairing with the car? The newer ones should work fine in an older car, from my understanding, correct?

 

[demundus]

they are, however without root you'll be bound by an interesting little timing issue... you'll need to install the new IC before a software update.

 

[JPP]

FWIW about 1 year in on my 2013 S85, my instrument panel fan (...not the MCU) began to make intermittent noises (...trying to die). Got it replaced under warranty. All good since.

 

[Lukez]

Just posting a follow up to the fan. I removed mine and took a picture of the fan. It's an off the shelf fan. Removal and replacement is pretty simple.
Here is the fan part number:

 

[rooter]

Yes the IC from Oct 2014 forward is higher rez and no fan. BUT it has the same Tegra VCM as the MCU, which had better be at exactly the same software rev as the rest of the car, or you'd better have the ability to make it so.

 

[Gixx1300R]

Can you post a link where your purchased the fan? Mine is making noise and I would like to replace it. I searched the internet and could not find a place that had it in stock

Just posting a follow up to the fan. I removed mine and took a picture of the fan. It's an off the shelf fan. Removal and replacement is pretty simple.
Here is the fan part number:
View attachment 299664

 

[Lukez]

Can you post a link where your purchased the fan? Mine is making noise and I would like to replace it. I searched the internet and could not find a place that had it in stock

Yes I got it on Alibaba. It was $16 shipped and a perfect fit! Super easy to take out the cluster and install this fan. About a 2 hour job if doing for the first time.
HZDO 5CM MF50151VX C000 G99 5015 12V 2.35W MF50151V2 C01A G99 MF50151V2 C00A G99 EF50151B1 C02C A99 GB1205PHV1 8AY Blower fan-in Fans & Cooling from Computer & Office on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Order Blade Color: MF50151V2 C01A G99

They asked for the connector type so I sent them these photos, I would send them with your order as well. You can reference my order number 91937353091187 to make sure they get it right.
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/UTB8dRJjeVPJXKJkSahVq6xyzFXaD.jpg
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/UTB8zdtbe0nJXKJkSaiyq6AhwXXa6.jpg
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/UTB8tsbZzhHEXKJk43Jeq6yeeXXao.jpg

 

[Gixx1300R]

Yes I got it on Alibaba. It was $16 shipped and a perfect fit! Super easy to take out the cluster and install this fan. About a 2 hour job if doing for the first time.
HZDO 5CM MF50151VX C000 G99 5015 12V 2.35W MF50151V2 C01A G99 MF50151V2 C00A G99 EF50151B1 C02C A99 GB1205PHV1 8AY Blower fan-in Fans & Cooling from Computer & Office on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Order Blade Color: MF50151V2 C01A G99

They asked for the connector type so I sent them these photos, I would send them with your order as well. You can reference my order number 91937353091187 to make sure they get it right.
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/UTB8dRJjeVPJXKJkSahVq6xyzFXaD.jpg
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/UTB8zdtbe0nJXKJkSaiyq6AhwXXa6.jpg
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/UTB8tsbZzhHEXKJk43Jeq6yeeXXao.jpg

awesome, thanks

 

[ak555]

Yes I got it on Alibaba. It was $16 shipped and a perfect fit! Super easy to take out the cluster and install this fan. About a 2 hour job if doing for the first time.
HZDO 5CM MF50151VX C000 G99 5015 12V 2.35W MF50151V2 C01A G99 MF50151V2 C00A G99 EF50151B1 C02C A99 GB1205PHV1 8AY Blower fan-in Fans & Cooling from Computer & Office on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Order Blade Color: MF50151V2 C01A G99

They asked for the connector type so I sent them these photos, I would send them with your order as well. You can reference my order number 91937353091187 to make sure they get it right.
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/UTB8dRJjeVPJXKJkSahVq6xyzFXaD.jpg
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/UTB8zdtbe0nJXKJkSaiyq6AhwXXa6.jpg
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/UTB8tsbZzhHEXKJk43Jeq6yeeXXao.jpg

@Lukez Thank you very much for this information. I am about to dive into the replacement of the fan and was able to order the fan from Alibaba using your specs. I understand you need to have the SC reprogram the cluster if it is disconnected. Can you share with us your approach? Keep cluster connected? Wait for software update? Take to SC for programming?

Many thanks!

 

[Lukez]

@Lukez Thank you very much for this information. I am about to dive into the replacement of the fan and was able to order the fan from Alibaba using your specs. I understand you need to have the SC reprogram the cluster if it is disconnected. Can you share with us your approach? Keep cluster connected? Wait for software update? Take to SC for programming?

Many thanks!

Hello, I believe it only needs to be programmed if you are putting a new cluster in. Simply powering off your car, disconnecting 12v, removing your cluster, replacing the fan and reinstalling the same cluster, reconnecting 12v should not need any reprogramming!