The most common problem we are seeing with Tesla Roadster Power Electronics Modules (PEM) noted in a Tech Tip we generated and reported a year ago to forums and Tesla Service Centers, is becoming rapidly more widespread.
We even spoke with the original manufacturer of the PEMs, and advised them an insulating material between the IGBT transistors and heat sinks is deteriorating, eventually shorting the transistors, and causing inverter power train failure. We believe if these cars were still under a warranty, a recall would have been issued.
To date, we have not seen a PEM unaffected by this predictable failure, and we urge an owner initiated Roadster PEM upgrade, which requires removal of the PEM from the car, shipped to service and repair shops like ours for replacement of this insulating material.
The only solution we have seen from Tesla is a PEM replacement costing just shy of $10K. A repair and upgrade from a Roadster specialty shop like ours is far less than the Tesla PEM replacement, and a more complete upgrade, as outlined next, breathes new life into the PEM and car.
We not only recommend the PEM is upgraded replacing this failing material, but since the PEM contains other aging failure prone electronic components, and is the heart of the car, we recommend a proactive replacement of other PEM wear electronics such as relays, capacitors, fuses, and switches, comparable to an Internal Combustion Engine rebuild during this repair.
Since this insulating material PEM failure can occur at any time, sitting stationary, or while driving, shorting power transistors can cause safety issues, and more serious PEM damage upstream in the driver boards. We urge owners to take proactive measures.
We even spoke with the original manufacturer of the PEMs, and advised them an insulating material between the IGBT transistors and heat sinks is deteriorating, eventually shorting the transistors, and causing inverter power train failure. We believe if these cars were still under a warranty, a recall would have been issued.
To date, we have not seen a PEM unaffected by this predictable failure, and we urge an owner initiated Roadster PEM upgrade, which requires removal of the PEM from the car, shipped to service and repair shops like ours for replacement of this insulating material.
The only solution we have seen from Tesla is a PEM replacement costing just shy of $10K. A repair and upgrade from a Roadster specialty shop like ours is far less than the Tesla PEM replacement, and a more complete upgrade, as outlined next, breathes new life into the PEM and car.
We not only recommend the PEM is upgraded replacing this failing material, but since the PEM contains other aging failure prone electronic components, and is the heart of the car, we recommend a proactive replacement of other PEM wear electronics such as relays, capacitors, fuses, and switches, comparable to an Internal Combustion Engine rebuild during this repair.
Since this insulating material PEM failure can occur at any time, sitting stationary, or while driving, shorting power transistors can cause safety issues, and more serious PEM damage upstream in the driver boards. We urge owners to take proactive measures.