Need a battery for a 2008 1.5, any sellers? :)

[toutizes]

Just in case someone has some ideas.

My #190 died 2 weeks ago with "Powertrain failure."

I did not think of writing the error code number.

This was the 3rd time I had the failure, this time luckily just in front of the Palo Alto Tesla store.

It rebooted and I could drive to the service area.

After a few weeks, they tell me the battery needs to be replaced but...there are no batteries available.
Waiting time for the improved battery ($30k) is 1 year. Same time for a remanufactured one ($14k).

Oh my.

The person on the phone (Ken) mentioned that there may be donor cars with usable batteries? Totaled ones maybe (sad).

I thought I would ask here if someone had better ideas.
thanks!

 

[Roadster]

Totaled ones maybe (sad).

Actually, it's even sadder

Some are/were perfectly running and complete Roadsters that Tesla purchased as part of their recently initiated trade-in program. My understanding is they're being used to stockpile parts and components needed to help satisfy remaining warranties and provide the Roadster community "better service" by offering parts that are NLA. Pretty sad fate to have to cannibalize living cars but #190 will be the beneficiary of a (hopefully) factory refurbished ESS.

You can also consider Gruber Motors. They may be able to save your pack or sell you a refurb.

 

[X.l.r.8]

Seriously, it’s a thing, I was hoping that was me just being cynical.

 

[hcsharp]

Actually, it's even sadder

Some are/were perfectly running and complete Roadsters that Tesla purchased as part of their recently initiated trade-in program. My understanding is they're being used to stockpile parts and components needed to help satisfy remaining warranties and provide the Roadster community "better service" by offering parts that are NLA. Pretty sad fate to have to cannibalize living cars but #190 will be the beneficiary of a (hopefully) factory refurbished ESS.

You can also consider Gruber Motors. They may be able to save your pack or sell you a refurb.

Do you have evidence that Tesla is not reselling the Roadsters they're taking in trade? I don't think they're just using them for parts.

 

[Roadster]

I got the info from a fellow TMCr who recently took advantage of the trade in and confirmed this to be the case. According to the SC rep that processed his car, Tesla was in fact purchasing them for parts and not for resale.

 

[im4uttx]

Not surprised, really...it's one less they have to repair/replace battery, etc, and in reality, will eventually, make the rest of them worth that much more...

I can't blame Tesla for doing this...just have to be on the watch for "refurbished" parts when repair work is being done...especially at Tesla SC.

 

[toutizes]

It makes sense that they would buy for parts, I guess. They are really out of them.

They indicated that they'll make an offer as follows: estimated street value of the car as if running minus price of a refurb'ed battery ($14k).

I haven't received a number yet though. And it would be a trade-in offer, so would have to get a 3 or Y for example.

But that still is a respectable concept.

 

[gregd]

Sorry, but "trading in" a perfectly good Roadster, knowing it will be sent off to be slaughtered, is just, well, wrong. Buying up wrecked ones, ok. But cars that are running, or nearly so? Absolutely not.

These cars are each unique museum pieces that we have the privilege of driving, maintaining, and enjoying. They are not fodder.

 

[toutizes]

@gregd You have a very valid point, and I agree with you.

Thanks @Roadster for the Gruber recommendation. I contacted them and was immediately contacted back by Pete Gruber. He is impressively knowledgeable about roadsters in general and battery issues in particular.

==> #190 is going on "repair vacations" in Arizona next week!

I'll let you'all know how this all ends up

 

[eHorses]

@gregd You have a very valid point, and I agree with you.

Thanks @Roadster for the Gruber recommendation. I contacted them and was immediately contacted back by Pete Gruber. He is impressively knowledgeable about roadsters in general and battery issues in particular.

==> #190 is going on "repair vacations" in Arizona next week!

I'll let you'all know how this all ends up

Great call to have it repair and Good luck!

 

[CAR3NUT]

@gregd You have a very valid point, and I agree with you.

Thanks @Roadster for the Gruber recommendation. I contacted them and was immediately contacted back by Pete Gruber. He is impressively knowledgeable about roadsters in general and battery issues in particular.

==> #190 is going on "repair vacations" in Arizona next week!

I'll let you'all know how this all ends up

You will not be disappointed with the work by Gruber Motors, I have toured their shop w/ Pete Gruber and he is very knowledgeable on the batteries and PEM. They have several cars they are always working on to bring back to life, some don't take very long, others take a while longer.

 

[hanknum]

Just in case someone has some ideas.

My #190 died 2 weeks ago with "Powertrain failure."

I did not think of writing the error code number.

This was the 3rd time I had the failure, this time luckily just in front of the Palo Alto Tesla store.

It rebooted and I could drive to the service area.

After a few weeks, they tell me the battery needs to be replaced but...there are no batteries available.
Waiting time for the improved battery ($30k) is 1 year. Same time for a remanufactured one ($14k).

Oh my.

The person on the phone (Ken) mentioned that there may be donor cars with usable batteries? Totaled ones maybe (sad).

I thought I would ask here if someone had better ideas.
thanks!

Just out of curiosity, how many miles do you have on it? I've got a vested interest as I have #187.

Thanks and good luck.

Henry

 

[toutizes]

Just out of curiosity, how many miles do you have on it? I've got a vested interest as I have #187.

Thanks and good luck.

Henry

Hi Henry, about 40k miles. I don't remember the exact number and the car is still at Tesla.
Gruber picks it up on Monday, Yay!

How's #187 doing?
Matthieu

 

[hanknum]

Hi Henry, about 40k miles. I don't remember the exact number and the car is still at Tesla.
Gruber picks it up on Monday, Yay!

How's #187 doing?
Matthieu

#187 is doing fine. I've only had it for about a year. Currently, I get 193 miles on a range charge and 150 on standard with about 54k miles.

Good luck and let us know how it goes with Gruber.

Henry

 

[wycolo]

Gruber presumably will 'massage' your existing battery by disconnecting dead cells and recharging salvageable cells etc to allow partial pack operation, something TM does not have the time or staff to do.

> Waiting time for the improved battery ($30k) is 1 year. Same time for a remanufactured one ($14k).

That was the company line one year ago; keeps going around and around again on the guitar.
--

 

[toutizes]

Some update, Gruber found bad connections (rivets) on 3 battery sheets. They will rebuild connections to all sheets while it's in AZ.
Interestingly they also offer additional fixes, even including the peeling headlights 8-D So I'm pampering #190 and fixing/maintaining small things too.
Looking forward to having it back on the road in CA!

 

[M3BlueGeorgia]

There's a Roadster sitting inside the Marietta SC waiting for some parts, which apparently have to be custom made. Didn't occur to ask which parts.
But it surely is nice to check out when waiting for your car to be fixed. (Its in the waiting area)

 

[ra88it]

There's a Roadster sitting inside the Marietta SC waiting for some parts, which apparently have to be custom made. Didn't occur to ask which parts.
But it surely is nice to check out when waiting for your car to be fixed. (Its in the waiting area)

Is this the white one recently seen traveling on an open deck car hauler through CA?

 

[M3BlueGeorgia]

Is this the white one recently seen traveling on an open deck car hauler through CA?

Nah
1) It's Georgia
2) it's red

 

[hanknum]

Any updates Toutizes?