Model S Technical / Mechanical Issues

[NigelM]

I think if you leave a fob in the main cabin of the car (Trunk, passenger area, glovebox) and lock the car with the iPhone app, someone can touch the door handles and they will present themselves because it detects the keyfob in the car, even with the car locked as indicated by the iPhone app. I haven't tried it out personally, but i'm pretty sure it behaves like that.

That's correct. (I tested it)

 

[scriptacus]

My rear seatbelts have an issue that I could swear I've seen mentioned here, but I was unable to find the thread. A passenger noticed that when pulling them out at a normal angle they are scraping against something inside of the upper mechanism. I tried it myself and it seems they only extend smoothly when held at an unnatural angle that is very close to parallel to the seat. Has anyone else had this issue and if so, can it be addressed by service?

 

[znino]

My rear seatbelts have an issue that I could swear I've seen mentioned here, but I was unable to find the thread. A passenger noticed that when pulling them out at a normal angle they are scraping against something inside of the upper mechanism. I tried it myself and it seems they only extend smoothly when held at an unnatural angle that is very close to parallel to the seat. Has anyone else had this issue and if so, can it be addressed by service?

I noticed and reported this on December 21 when I got my car. I doubt it will be something they can fix. Seems to be a design issue as the roller is just placed at an angle that is not appropriate when you are sitting and try to pull the seatbelt. I'm sure if they get a lot of use the seatbelts will fray from rubbing against the edge of the plastic guide.

 

[scriptacus]

I noticed and reported this on December 21 when I got my car. I doubt it will be something they can fix. Seems to be a design issue as the roller is just placed at an angle that is not appropriate when you are sitting and try to pull the seatbelt. I'm sure if they get a lot of use the seatbelts will fray from rubbing against the edge of the plastic guide.

I also asked an owner on the teslamotors forum about this. Here's the conversation:

@nickjhowe - my rear seatbelts scrape against something inside of the upper mechanism when being pulled out at a normal angle. Is this the same issue you're having, and if so, is it fixable by service?


@scriptacus - yes. It is a known problem (has an ID in the service system) and has an orderable part to fix it. Speak to TM service. Some cars seem better than others, and even the perfect ones still seem to scrape a little when pulling across the body - but there's definitely a problem with some cars that can be fixed/improved.


So... maybe there is some hope for a fix after all.

 

[znino]

I also asked an owner on the teslamotors forum about this. Here's the conversation:

@nickjhowe - my rear seatbelts scrape against something inside of the upper mechanism when being pulled out at a normal angle. Is this the same issue you're having, and if so, is it fixable by service?


@scriptacus - yes. It is a known problem (has an ID in the service system) and has an orderable part to fix it. Speak to TM service. Some cars seem better than others, and even the perfect ones still seem to scrape a little when pulling across the body - but there's definitely a problem with some cars that can be fixed/improved.


So... maybe there is some hope for a fix after all.

That's great news. Mine is definitely one that is not aligned and scrapes against the edges of the mechanism. I will ask Tesla about this fix. You wouldn't happen to know the Service System ID in question?

 

[Seegem]

Hi Friends,

P85 here (absolutely the best car I've ever owned, OMG!).

I've noticed several times that I hear this really loud scraping & grinding sound out of either of the front wheels, often when driving over pebbles/dirt on the road. Sounds like some of the stones are being pulled up by the 21" performance tires (in the grooves) but I have no idea where they're landing... Could it be the brakes? Anyone else have this too?

Thanks,

Mark


==============

So, turns out it they are rocks that can get caught in the calipers. Many cars with large breaks have this problem and while the rocks do scratch the rotors its not a huge deal (from Tesla service)

 

[scriptacus]

New annoyance: I usually leave work when it's dark out, and for some reason my display switches into day mode about 10-20 seconds after leaving the parking garage. This has happened for 3 nights in a row now. I park on the roof, which is dark, and the drive down to the exit is reasonably well lit, but not bright. I'm wondering if the light sensor sensitivity is something service can adjust. For now I just open the settings and put the car into night mode for a minute or so and then back to auto. Just switching from auto to night and back immediately still ends up going back to day mode.

Anyone else experience similar issues?

 

[mnx]

New annoyance: I usually leave work when it's dark out, and for some reason my display switches into day mode about 10-20 seconds after leaving the parking garage. This has happened for 3 nights in a row now. I park on the roof, which is dark, and the drive down to the exit is reasonably well lit, but not bright. I'm wondering if the light sensor sensitivity is something service can adjust. For now I just open the settings and put the car into night mode for a minute or so and then back to auto. Just switching from auto to night and back immediately still ends up going back to day mode.

Anyone else experience similar issues?

Why not just set it to Night and leave it there? In my S it resets to auto each time the car turns on.

 

[scriptacus]

Why not just set it to Night and leave it there? In my S it resets to auto each time the car turns on.

As a workaround? I suppose... but I'm hoping its an issue they can fix.

 

[jhs_7645]

Update on my driver's door handle issue. I could not get it repaired last week when I had the car in for service, so I figured I could wait. Over the past few days, my door has occasionally felt more difficult to open, and as of this AM it would not open at all (handle extended, but would not open the door when I pulled on it). I had to climb through the back seat and reach forward to the inside front door handle to open it. I tentatively have an appointment on Tuesday to have the new door handle installed, but i wanted to warn folks that have the 'door sometimes opens when unlock' issue to make sure to get your handle replace before it fails.

 

[pete8314]

My truck close button, after being a bit 'dodgy' for a week or so, has finally quit working completely. It's still lit, but other than that, non-functional. Closing via the fob and control panel are still fine, so it's not a big deal, but it's booked in for next week to have that looked at, and a couple of other cosmetic issues that have been there since I took delivery.

 

[scriptacus]

Update on my driver's door handle issue. I could not get it repaired last week when I had the car in for service, so I figured I could wait. Over the past few days, my door has occasionally felt more difficult to open, and as of this AM it would not open at all (handle extended, but would not open the door when I pulled on it). I had to climb through the back seat and reach forward to the inside front door handle to open it. I tentatively have an appointment on Tuesday to have the new door handle installed, but i wanted to warn folks that have the 'door sometimes opens when unlock' issue to make sure to get your handle replace before it fails.

I believe holding the top button on your fob will roll down the windows. Might make life a little easier until you get it fixed.

 

[znino]

Update on my driver's door handle issue. I could not get it repaired last week when I had the car in for service, so I figured I could wait. Over the past few days, my door has occasionally felt more difficult to open, and as of this AM it would not open at all (handle extended, but would not open the door when I pulled on it). I had to climb through the back seat and reach forward to the inside front door handle to open it. I tentatively have an appointment on Tuesday to have the new door handle installed, but i wanted to warn folks that have the 'door sometimes opens when unlock' issue to make sure to get your handle replace before it fails.

I had a similar thing a while back where one handle was extended but could not open door. They rebooted the door handle system by pulling out two fuses and it solved the issue. Have not had a problem since

 

[jhs_7645]

Thanks all for the help!

I believe holding the top button on your fob will roll down the windows. Might make life a little easier until you get it fixed.

ARGH!! duh… thank you!

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I had a similar thing a while back where one handle was extended but could not open door. They rebooted the door handle system by pulling out two fuses and it solved the issue. Have not had a problem since

Looking over the fuse layout in the manual, I see 'Rear Door Handles' and Door Controls (right and left sides). Is it the 'door controls left side' fuse?

 

[znino]

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Looking over the fuse layout in the manual, I see 'Rear Door Handles' and Door Controls (right and left sides). Is it the 'door controls left side' fuse?

He pulled two fuses which he said were related to all the door handles (I guess resetting everything doesn't hurst). If you look at the attached picture there are two 10A red fuses lined up on top of each other in the center of the fuse box. He pulled those two out, waited a minute, put them back and everything started working again. (The two two red fuses that are in the same column together)

 

[Beavis]

He pulled two fuses which he said were related to all the door handles (I guess resetting everything doesn't hurst). If you look at the attached picture there are two 10A red fuses lined up on top of each other in the center of the fuse box. He pulled those two out, waited a minute, put them back and everything started working again. (The two two red fuses that are in the same column together)
View attachment 17563

Interesting. I did it myself when the rear, driver side handle wouldn't present. I was given instruction by a service tech. The fuse I pulled was the 5 amp fuse that is between the 25 amp and 10 amp fuses, next to the empty spot. It worked. My only warning is that if you drop that fuse, you are going to lose it.

 

[jhs_7645]

Interesting. I did it myself when the rear, driver side handle wouldn't present. I was given instruction by a service tech. The fuse I pulled was the 5 amp fuse that is between the 25 amp and 10 amp fuses, next to the empty spot. It worked. My only warning is that if you drop that fuse, you are going to lose it.

Thanks guys! According to the manual, the two red ones are 'F41 (door controls left side)' and 'F32 (door controls right side)'. The five amp fuse that Beavis referred to is 'F40 (rear door handles)'. So basically, the answer is 'YES' So, those are the three I will pull.

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OK, can I just say that after spending years under the hood of my '68 mustang, leaning over the fender of the Model S and pulling fuses was the most ridiculous thing I've done to a car

And, on another note. I finally feel like the car is mine. I never feel like something is mine until I take part of it apart.

 

[Thumper]

Always carry a variety of spare fuses in the glove box!

 

[efxjim]

I wonder since the car can roll down the windows can it roll them up when setting the alarm? More than once I have walked away with a window down.

 

[MikeK]

I wonder since the car can roll down the windows can it roll them up when setting the alarm? More than once I have walked away with a window down.

I sure wish there were a way to ask the car to just "close up shop" -- windows, sunroof, etc. with one easy action.