Model S jumps into Neutral while driving

[NewbyMaybe]

A bad cell could result in a fire resulting in tragedy, bad press that nobody wants, especially shareholders, insurers, etc.

Your car will always be safer statistically but ironically that doesn't count.

I'm blessed with the funds to replace my pack if necessary, looking forward to the peace of mind.

But I'd rather have the cash for a CT.

 

[kiermarl]

I think that you're drunk on the Tesla cool aid, MP3Mike. I mean, the software was good enough for the car to drive 143K miles and it identified a lot of batteries that needed to be replaced (not mine, luckily, but lots of others), and then Tesla conveniently tweeks it to identify more batteries that need to be replaced/repaired, a service that is only conveniently provided by Tesla Service Centers? Even more suspect, the SC can't repair your battery, only replace it and charge you for a complete battery, while they keep the core--possibly to fix the one wire that's corroded and sell to the next guy with the recently tweeked software? It's all too convenient. I suspect that Tesla's view is that they will ween the inventory of the older Teslas--the ones that they promised life-time supercharging to--by creating software to disable their batteries, so that they can increase the profitability of their supercharger network. Which do you really feel is the view of a major player in corporate America?

 

[MP3Mike]

a service that is only conveniently provided by Tesla Service Centers?

There are at least three third parties that provide pack repair/replace services. (Though I wouldn't trust one of them.)

by creating software to disable their batteries, so that they can increase the profitability of their supercharger network.

@wk057 has confirmed that the issues Tesla reports are real, and will cause battery failures. Even if the person owning the Tesla can't afford to replace the battery, it is likely someone will buy it and replace the battery, the FUSC doesn't go away just because a battery is replaced.

 

[kiermarl]

So, lest you all think I gave up on my Tesla....I wound up trailering my car to Sacramento and took it to EV's Republic. Those guys are awesome. They traced the neutral problem to a faulty $32 relay. After testing the battery they determined that two cells were defective and replaced the cells. I was back up and running, the car charged back up to 280 miles, and the neutral problem completely resolved. They had their technician drive the car for two weeks to make sure everything was fixed and gave me a 12 month warranty on the battery. While they had the car they fixed a few other things that didn't even show up on the invoice (door handles that wouldn't present, the clear lense missing from my tail light, one of the segments not illuminating in my charge ring). I flew up to Sacramento and drove my car home to San Diego. Less than a month later the battery gave up completely. EVs Republic arranged a pick-up from my house and brought the car back to Sacramento. They replaced the battery entirely and shipped the car back to me at no cost. The car has been flawless since--they must have used a bigger battery as it now charges to over 290 miles. 6 visits to the two TSCs here in San Diego with nothing but frustrating results and probably needless replacement of parts while the TSC "technicians" guessed at what was causing my problems. One trip to EVs (a very long one!) and the elusive problem was found and resolved. I'm not sure why they didn't recognize that the battery was about to fail completely, but they stood behind their warranty unquestioningly and paid to ship the car both ways, which kind of surprised me (I figured I would have to get it back to them as I'm the one who took my car 700 miles to get it fixed!). Anyway, I'm looking forward to the day when more independent shops open up to service these cars as they truly are phenomenal machines and the TSCs are just not well equipped to take care of them.

 

[NewbyMaybe]

Wow! Really hope they can stay in business.

 

[MP3Mike]

After testing the battery they determined that two cells were defective and replaced the cells.

How much did they charge for that?

Less than a month later the battery gave up completely.

How not surprising... But I'm glad they stood behind their warranty.

 

[kiermarl]

I believe it was $1250 per brick plus $200 installation, plus $200 for the initial diagnosis.

 

[kiermarl]

I don't see them not staying it business. I can't be alone in my frustration with the TSC and EV's seemed to not be hurting in terms of demand for their services. As warranties expire, and TSC's proclivity to just replace things until they find the problem costs owners ridiculous money and repeated inconvenience, non Tesla repair outfits that are capable and honest will only thrive.

 

[NewbyMaybe]

Where was the relay?

 

[kiermarl]

I believe it was in the ABS system somewhere, but honestly I was just so excited that they found something to fix rather than replace I didn't question them....

 

[NewbyMaybe]

Relay details on the invoice?