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S100D Air Conditioner Cuts out on Humid Days?
- Thread starter andrewortman
- Start date
Similar graph on my Dec. 17 S:
Brought it in for service a few weeks ago and they found faults and replaced some AC valves, but didn't actually fix it.
Got 2018.26 installed this morning, and coincidentally had an appointment at the service center. They say that they found the faults again (post-service, pre-.26) but got on the phone with "engineering" and were assured that .26 contains a fix.
Service folks seemed excited about it and claimed they were "meeting" about it. In Florida, so will know in a day or two if it's a real fix.
Brought it in for service a few weeks ago and they found faults and replaced some AC valves, but didn't actually fix it.
Got 2018.26 installed this morning, and coincidentally had an appointment at the service center. They say that they found the faults again (post-service, pre-.26) but got on the phone with "engineering" and were assured that .26 contains a fix.
Service folks seemed excited about it and claimed they were "meeting" about it. In Florida, so will know in a day or two if it's a real fix.
Earlier this week it hit 109 in my car while I was driving before the A/C came back online.
Also, I should point out this almost always happens in the first 5 min of a drive after pre-cooling the car. It is not the same as when the car diverts A/C to cool the battery on long trip.
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I had this exact same issue with a non-Tesla car (Subaru). When it was really humid out, especially raining, the AC compressor would cut out and be intermittent. I'd toggle the AC button a bunch and it would eventually come back on for a bit before cutting out again.
The dealer said it was the AC compressor clutch but I had my doubts.
I had them replace the AC relay for $10 since it was in the shop anyway and the problem was 100% fixed. It never re-emerged.
Try toggling the AC compressor button to see if you can get the compressor to turn on when decides to click off. If you can, it may be a sticky relay which you can replace yourself in 5 minutes for about $10 or less.
The dealer said it was the AC compressor clutch but I had my doubts.
I had them replace the AC relay for $10 since it was in the shop anyway and the problem was 100% fixed. It never re-emerged.
Try toggling the AC compressor button to see if you can get the compressor to turn on when decides to click off. If you can, it may be a sticky relay which you can replace yourself in 5 minutes for about $10 or less.
Highly doubt it's just a relay. If the AC compressor would completely cut out the car would throw a bunch of error messages out. In an old ICE car the AC is non critical. The car runs fine with or without it. In a Tesla it is crucial to cool the battery and other parts. A non working AC compressor on a Tesla has serious consequences and the car will tell you.
I don't think there is a "relay" for the AC in a Tesla. There might be a contactor to control the ~350-400v that goes to the compressor, but they normally cost much more than a normal 12v relay.
SucreTease
Teslarian
Been a couple 90+ and humid days with 2018.26 and still good, so fingers crossed it's really fixed!
Same problem after long hot day... camping mode ... the they are working on firmware fix. If it’s muffled air, it’s likely frozen.
dbldwn02
Active Member
Had this issue a couple times driving to/from California on a long road trip. Having the A/C go out, in Nevada, in July is no-beuno. It would randomly go out for a few minutes and then kick back in. Before reading this I thought maybe the compressor was starting to go out but it seems like a louver issue. I'll ask about it when it goes it for its annual. I don't like the "Cool the battery before the passengers" mentality. This should not happen, especially when it's 108 degrees out. Car heats up like an oven with the glass roof.
mknox
Well-Known Member
I traded in my Model S for an X earlier this year, but last summer, I noticed the louvers were not opening on my S like they used to. When I took it in to Service, they said that they had updated the software such that the louvers hardly ever open any more. The Tech said it seems counter-intuitive, but somehow the condensers are supposed to get a more optimal airflow somehow like this. I left skeptical, but the guy was pretty adamant and seemed to know what he was talking about.
That's right but when it does that, it throws up a warning message to tell you it's doing so.
mknox
Well-Known Member
FWIW, I never had the issue ever. Model S 2013 to 2018 and Model X 2018 to present. I've used both these cars in really stinking hot conditions too. Might be more than firmware...
Good point. The relay in the ICE is to engage/disengage the compressor clutch which is needed because the engine is always turning. Obviously not needed in a Tesla but the compressor does cycle on and off normally.
Yes, but in a Tesla it is a variable speed compressor controlled by a motor controller. (Essentially the same as the drive unit, just on a much smaller scale.)
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