-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
Model S Technical / Mechanical Issues
- Thread starter DrComputer
- Start date
JRP3
Hyperactive Member
Had a major issue with my S60 today that required towing. Problems started after I approached the driver door and the handles did not auto-present as usual. No problem, it sometimes happens. I unlocked the car with my fob and got into the driver's seat. I step on the brake pedal, nothing. I hit the brakes several times again and start seeing an error on the dash stating "Car needs service, may not be able to drive". I hit the brake pedal again and able to shift the car into reverse and am on my way home. No errors on the way home. I approach my home and decide to drive to the community mailbox to pick up the mail. As I slow to a stop, the car needs service message pops up again. I hesistantly put the car into park, get out of the get, get the mail.
I get back in the car, step on the brake again, getting the same error "Car needs service, may not be able to drive". Additionally, it states something to the effect of "12V battery low, car my power down unexpectedly". I cannot shift out of park this time and am essentially stuck half a block from him. I contact the local Tesla service center, they say that they sees the errors from my car and think there may be a problem with the battery coolant. They instruct me to call Tesla Roadside Assistance to have my car towed and delivered to the service center tomorrow morning. While on the phone with roadside assistance, I am able to get my car moving again and park it in my driveway. Less than an hour later, the tow service takes it away. The tow guy says he's tows a few Teslas recently for a similar issue of not being able to start, "must be the cold weather" he adds.
I'm expecting a call from the service center in the morning to see if they can fix it or may have give me a loaner, or which they are short on at the moment and may need to get me an Enterprise rental car instead. What do you guys think? It is a simple as the 12V battery going back or something else?
I get back in the car, step on the brake again, getting the same error "Car needs service, may not be able to drive". Additionally, it states something to the effect of "12V battery low, car my power down unexpectedly". I cannot shift out of park this time and am essentially stuck half a block from him. I contact the local Tesla service center, they say that they sees the errors from my car and think there may be a problem with the battery coolant. They instruct me to call Tesla Roadside Assistance to have my car towed and delivered to the service center tomorrow morning. While on the phone with roadside assistance, I am able to get my car moving again and park it in my driveway. Less than an hour later, the tow service takes it away. The tow guy says he's tows a few Teslas recently for a similar issue of not being able to start, "must be the cold weather" he adds.
I'm expecting a call from the service center in the morning to see if they can fix it or may have give me a loaner, or which they are short on at the moment and may need to get me an Enterprise rental car instead. What do you guys think? It is a simple as the 12V battery going back or something else?
Pilot_51
Member
Cold weather? In Florida? Pssh.
If it weren't for the comment from service on the battery coolant, I'd say it sounds like you may have a bad 12V battery. There was a bad batch I think in late 2013 or early 2014 that, to my understanding, Tesla replaced for everyone on an opportunity basis (TSB) if not by necessity. What VIN sequence or build date?
Mine has been going great for 17 months, through one moderately frigid winter (~2 weeks with negative lows, as low as -15F), so I would think my car is pretty solid in that regard. (knock on wood)
If the coolant gets low it will let you know, if some component overheats because of insufficient cooling, you will first see a power limit, much like the regen limit or a low battery limit, that manifests as the dashed yellow line. If the temperature continues to rise, it will then do a "Car shutting down, please pull over safely" and then "Call Tesla service".
The 12v battery error happens anytime the car is awake for a few minutes without the DC-DC converter enabled. This means it detects a low voltage. The main contactors probably opened due to the fault and then began pulling down the 12v battery until you got the error. Even with a brand new 12v battery, that will happen in only a few minutes if for some reason the car doesn't close it's contactors and begin supplying power to the 12v rail.
So whatever it was, doesn't sound like a coolant issue. Please let us know what they find!
The 12v battery error happens anytime the car is awake for a few minutes without the DC-DC converter enabled. This means it detects a low voltage. The main contactors probably opened due to the fault and then began pulling down the 12v battery until you got the error. Even with a brand new 12v battery, that will happen in only a few minutes if for some reason the car doesn't close it's contactors and begin supplying power to the 12v rail.
So whatever it was, doesn't sound like a coolant issue. Please let us know what they find!
Cold weather? In Florida? Pssh.
If it weren't for the comment from service on the battery coolant, I'd say it sounds like you may have a bad 12V battery. There was a bad batch I think in late 2013 or early 2014 that, to my understanding, Tesla replaced for everyone on an opportunity basis (TSB) if not by necessity. What VIN sequence or build date?
Mine has been going great for 17 months, through one moderately frigid winter (~2 weeks with negative lows, as low as -15F), so I would think my car is pretty solid in that regard. (knock on wood)
Oops, forgot to change my location. I live in the Pacific Northwest now.
They didn't tell me much today, only that they needed to order some parts. I'll have to ask for specifics when I pick it up.
I finally received my S60 back four days after having it towed. They had to replace the battery coolant heater. Took a while to get the part. Just did a range change for my trip to Whistler this weekend but noticed the max charge is only 185 miles of range. I guess it must be due to the cold weather, 30s outside, slightly warmer in my garage. I'm not sure I've seen the full charge range this low though.
Having both LTE connectivity and GPS issues suggests some kind of problem with the antenna or signal pathways common to the radios, or something interfering with normal radio function. Or, it could be an LTE radio issue alone, as internet problems could adversely affect GPS (not necessarily, and I don't know what Tesla has or hasn't done, but it is a possible side-effect on some systems).
The other symptoms (slacker cutting out, time being off, app can't connect) would occur if you had a poor/unreliable internet.
Having wifi would temporarily cure these issues, of course.
Last edited:
Driver's side door handle
Sadly, just a couple months into ownership, the first door handle failure has already occurred, on the driver's side door.
First sign something was wrong: I noticed that the door handle was sometimes trying to close on my hand, after I stepped out and was using it to close the door. Sounds worse than it was - the mechanism feels "proofed" against pinching, and would just softly press against your hand. But it was clearly not right. Then within a few days the handle was stuck closed.
This many years into production, for a brand new car to have one fail this quickly, when the door handles have always been a well-known, nay, notorious reliability problem from the beginning, makes me feel like they have an even bigger problem with failing to iterate/improve their way out of a design flaw.
I feel like my experience eerily mirrors Consumer Reports feedback overall. They describe a superlative car. Also they ding it for reliability issues (and Consumer Reports' own car was reported to have had a door handle issue - heh). They also note its great support organization and 97% happy/would-by-again owners. Sure enough, I was dreading a few weeks of back and forth with service centers, but instead, Tesla did a valet swap for a loaner within 24 hours, and had a cleaned, totally fixed car back to me 24 hours after that. Awesome. They went absoultely above and beyond to meet me at a convenient time and place both times. It's an impressive service organization, and it shows how customer service can trump many other things. The whole experience was so surprisingly good, it actually left me happier than I started.
Sadly, just a couple months into ownership, the first door handle failure has already occurred, on the driver's side door.
First sign something was wrong: I noticed that the door handle was sometimes trying to close on my hand, after I stepped out and was using it to close the door. Sounds worse than it was - the mechanism feels "proofed" against pinching, and would just softly press against your hand. But it was clearly not right. Then within a few days the handle was stuck closed.
This many years into production, for a brand new car to have one fail this quickly, when the door handles have always been a well-known, nay, notorious reliability problem from the beginning, makes me feel like they have an even bigger problem with failing to iterate/improve their way out of a design flaw.
I feel like my experience eerily mirrors Consumer Reports feedback overall. They describe a superlative car. Also they ding it for reliability issues (and Consumer Reports' own car was reported to have had a door handle issue - heh). They also note its great support organization and 97% happy/would-by-again owners. Sure enough, I was dreading a few weeks of back and forth with service centers, but instead, Tesla did a valet swap for a loaner within 24 hours, and had a cleaned, totally fixed car back to me 24 hours after that. Awesome. They went absoultely above and beyond to meet me at a convenient time and place both times. It's an impressive service organization, and it shows how customer service can trump many other things. The whole experience was so surprisingly good, it actually left me happier than I started.
Picked up my Model S yesterday afternoon. As soon as I got it home, the passenger door started to pop open when the car unlocks. Called Tesla and I have an appointment for Friday AM. They sounded really concerned and wanted to get it fixed ASAP. I still freaking love the car, so it's hard to be upset.
JRP3
Hyperactive Member
mknox
Well-Known Member
This was common with early cars and the Gen 1 door handles. I had the problem myself. Tesla replaced all 4 handles with the new style and my problem is gone. Surprised to see it still cropping up on newer cars.
Even if you get the failure rate down to .1%, that's still 1 car out of 1000 that will have the issue, so I'm not too worried....
I did take a friend for a ride in the car and she thought that the door popping open was one of the coolest features. She was pretty deflated when I told her it was actually a bug
.
Pilot_51
Member
That explains where Tesla got the idea for the Model X's auto-presenting door. :wink:I did take a friend for a ride in the car and she thought that the door popping open was one of the coolest features. She was pretty deflated when I told her it was actually a bug
pdxgibby
Software Engineer
As I was driving tonight, each time I reached a complete stop at a stop light / stop sign, I got a beeping and visual feedback telling me to stop. Seems like a false park assist warning. Sensors were perfectly clear. People have mentioned rebooting the instrument cluster as a possible fix? Any other ideas?
pdxgibby
Software Engineer
I was able to capture a video of what I'm calling a malfunctioning parking sensor tonight -- and there is a possibility that it was causing false lane departure warnings as well.
Anyway, I have an email out to the local service center to see if they can schedule me for a fix. Again, the sensor is completely free and clear from any debris.
Anyway, I have an email out to the local service center to see if they can schedule me for a fix. Again, the sensor is completely free and clear from any debris.
Last edited by a moderator:
Forty Creek
Member
Two days ago, my driver's door spontaneously opened. Yesterday, it happened again. When I got out and closed the door, the handle stayed out. It is now stuck in presented position and I'm unable open the door from the outside. I entered from the passenger side and the door opens normally using the interior handle but locks shut with the handle sticking out when closed again. I have a call into the service centre. Unnerving to think the door might pop open while driving.
By "opened" do you mean that it unlocked while moving and actually moved out and away from the door frame? If so, by how much?
Similar threads
