Model S Cabin Heater Stopped Working

[Snowstorm]

2017 Model S here

Everything had been well for almost 5 years, on my last drive today, it felt suspiciously cold and realized that no warm air is coming out from the vents despite setting of 18C (it was -12C outside). The dash energy graph also did not show the slight consumption when car is stopped from the heater either. It was cold outside today, but not the coldest ever. The car was parked in a garage with temp around 2C inside. Teslafi logging showed cabin temp started at 7C at start of drive, ended up at 3C at end of drive, despite steady set point of 18C.

I set it to HI temp or max heat defrost, still nothing, no heat at all. Tried the two scroll wheel reset, no change either.

The car was totally normal earlier today, cabin heater was working just fine.

I asked for a service appointment to take a look but the next one is 2 weeks out. Kind of rough not having heat in the coldest time of the year.
Anyone has any idea what might be wrong?

 

[Tam]

...well for almost 5 years...

I suspect it's another case of routine component failures outside of the new car warranty just like when 2018 Tesla Model 3 PTC resistive heater failed.

 

[Snowstorm]

Yeah... I have never had a heater fail on me in any other car, many much older than this Model S. But I suppose ICE car heater work differently, as it basically blows air over the radiator coil taking waste heat from the engine. Still, sucks for it to be happening on some of the coldest days. As a consequence of Murphy's law, AC fails in summer, heater fails in winter.

Those Model 3 failure have a warning on their panel saying that something is wrong. Nothing is shown on my car, no error or warning messages.
Maybe I can try to give them a call and see if they can see anything wrong.

It is no as bad as walking outside, as there is no wind, and there is some slight comfort from seat heaters and such. But not cool when the water in your water bottle is frozen.

 

[Snowstorm]

I called the roadside line and they confirms that there are some error messages concerning the PTC heater, looks like it would require some fixing at the service apt in 2 weeks

 

[Deaconpdx]

Dealing with a simile issue right now. No heat and no codes saying there’s any issue with heat.
I replaced the PTC heater core and that didn’t solve it. Later tested the new and old heater core and found that they’re both working just fine.
Next thing to check is the DCDC fuse. Had an independent shop check that as Tesla was a month out. My fuses are fine so I’m waiting on the next direction the tech wants to go.
But the heater core and DCDC would be solid options to check.
Hope you can find an easier solution. Also if you need a spare PTC heater let me know. I’ve got an extra one

 

[Snowstorm]

I bought my car in for service and they replaced the PTC heater and a fuse. Cost about $1200 CAD after parts, labor and tax.

 

[Sheepdogss]

Dealing with a simile issue right now. No heat and no codes saying there’s any issue with heat.
I replaced the PTC heater core and that didn’t solve it. Later tested the new and old heater core and found that they’re both working just fine.
Next thing to check is the DCDC fuse. Had an independent shop check that as Tesla was a month out. My fuses are fine so I’m waiting on the next direction the tech wants to go.
But the heater core and DCDC would be solid options to check.
Hope you can find an easier solution. Also if you need a spare PTC heater let me know. I’ve got an extra one

I’m having a similar issue with a 2017 model X can I call you?

 

[Sheepdogss]

Dealing with a simile issue right now. No heat and no codes saying there’s any issue with heat.
I replaced the PTC heater core and that didn’t solve it. Later tested the new and old heater core and found that they’re both working just fine.
Next thing to check is the DCDC fuse. Had an independent shop check that as Tesla was a month out. My fuses are fine so I’m waiting on the next direction the tech wants to go.
But the heater core and DCDC would be solid options to check.
Hope you can find an easier solution. Also if you need a spare PTC heater let me know. I’ve got an extra one

Is there a number I can call you about your PTC heater? Thank You

 

[KArnold]

Add me to the list - same issue on my '17 MS. Anyone know specifically where these fuses are?

 

[Rajeev]

Add me to the list - same issue on my '17 MS. Anyone know specifically where these fuses are?

Hi, These are 400V DC, so the system need to be isolated before you go near this fuse box. Please check his guide -> Forward Junction Box - 2nd Generation - 40 Amp Fuse (RWD) (Remove and Replace) to see if it the junciton box location matches your car. Also the PTC Cabin heater could be faulty and may blow the fuse again. So worth checking / replacing as well.

 

[KArnold]

I have a '17 MS100D AWD - so I believe that is a gen 2 converter. I'm not finding a lot of info regarding those fuses - you have to drop the battery or remove a motor to access?

 

[Rajeev]

I have a '17 MS100D AWD - so I believe that is a gen 2 converter. I'm not finding a lot of info regarding those fuses - you have to drop the battery or remove a motor to access?

The Gen-2 Front DC Junction box should be visible if you open the bonnet and remove the plastic trims. Mine has three nuts holding, and they are quite deep. May have to drop battery to get to it. More info on the junction box here ---> Hacking the Tesla Model S Front Junction Box

 

[Rajeev]

I was able to replace the fuse with help from daughter as it was not easy to reach without dropping the battery.

 

[BrownOuttaSpec]

Looks like my PTC heater went out on my '16 MS 90D with about 65k miles. No error codes shown in the car.

What's weird, I was sitting in my car on a cool night (Car was "off", about 55° F outside) for a few minutes queuing up some music on my phone when i felt a kind of clunk/vibration like i ran over something (even though I was sitting in a parking lot) and then heard some guggle/bubbling sounds. I was confused but didnt know what to think. I started my drive home and noticed I didnt have any heat. I now have a service ticket open and waiting to hear back what they say, luckily the car is still under the used car warranty for another year.

 

[Workbirdy]

after the last update I had no heat they said over the phone they are working hard on trying to fix this issue

 

[BrownOuttaSpec]

after the last update I had no heat they said over the phone they are working hard on trying to fix this issue

I'm still on 2021.44.6

 

[Pdf11]

I bought my car in for service and they replaced the PTC heater and a fuse. Cost about $1200 CAD after parts, labor and tax.

Hello Snowstorm, my 2013 S is in right now and I was quoted $1100 just to replace the fuse? Can you tell me what they charged for the PFC heater?

 

[KArnold]

Earlier this year for my "17 MS100D.

 

[Pdf11]

Much appreciated!

 

[Gtech]

I was able to replace the fuse with help from daughter as it was not easy to reach without dropping the battery.

Consider yourself lucky not having a 2nd gen FJB with dual motor.
Did you only replace the fuse or also the PTC heater?