Tesla now repairing MCU1 with a new Tegra card for less than $500

[GoBlue88]

This is a much better solution vs full MCU replacement. Yes, having a larger eMMC would be the perfect solution, but unless the orig Tegra board had an option for a larger part, there’s no easy path for mass volume rework without taking time to put in quality/validation checks.
I’m assuming Tesla is making a last buy of the Tegra boards or asking for another build run.
I only have a little bit of warranty time left so will most likely we paying out of pocket when my MCU dies. I’ll gladly take $500 for another 4-5yrs vs $2K.

My first MCU1 was replaced under warranty due to the screen delamination issue. The replacement was a brand new one manufactured in 2018. That eMMC lasted only 2 years, and I've heard of some that have lasted only 1 year, so I'd be cautious about that 4-5 year estimate if they replace it wish another 8GB chip.

Still better to get a 3rd party to put in a bigger chip, IMO. Mine was replaced 3rd party with a 32GB chip a couple of months ago for around $800. It is estimated to last a minimum of 14 years.

 

[cy2k]

I've been having constant bluetooth issues, navigation failures, and restarts. After a log review my mobile service got cancelled in favor of a SC visit. I also got a notice that parts were ordered for my car:

MSX MCU PC TEGRA DAUGHTERBOARD-PROVISIONED
Part #: 2728211-S0-A

I assume this is one of the refurbished Tegra cards mentioned above.

My touchscreen has been going blank periodically, I had a mobile service appointment setup, and just like you said, they cancelled it and changed it to a service center appointment... They haven't said why yet, I'm but I'm REALLY hoping it'll come back saying the same thing as yours did! My 2016 S is still under warranty for another year, so I'm really hoping I can get this taken care of before then.

 

[nasapilot94]

Come to find out that because my car doesn’t have a power lift gate that the infotainment upgrade is not an option as of now.

I'm curious about this. I'm set this week at my SC to do the infotainment upgrade (after a painful number of SC rescheduled for mis-orders). I've got a '17 MS P90 and no power liftgate. What does that have to do with the upgrade? Curious if they feed me that line as well.

 

[blackhawk]

My first MCU1 was replaced under warranty due to the screen delamination issue. The replacement was a brand new one manufactured in 2018. That eMMC lasted only 2 years, and I've heard of some that have lasted only 1 year, so I'd be cautious about that 4-5 year estimate if they replace it wish another 8GB chip.

Agreed. The MCU in my low mileage 2017 S90D that lives most of it's life in a garage in temperate Seattle barely lasted three years.

 

[Jimali]

My car is out of warrantee and MCU failed, black screen and car would not drive. I had PIN to drive set so it may have driven if that were not the case. Roadside assistance towed it to Watertown MA service center and they did not charge me for the tow, it was over 2 hours for the truck to arrive due to having to send a second truck. The replacement part was going to be a $1200 refurbished part. Then they called and said Tesla engineering has a new technical procedure they would try. It worked. Total charge was $195 for labor and diagnostic. They said the MCU was 100% working and should be good for another 2 years. But I should be prepared to upgrade at a future date. This was about 3 weeks ago. Hopefully this technical procedure works for some of the soft failures. Seems like it could be a scheduled service to avoid the tow and loss of my car for a week.

 

[Mikeman1]

I've been having constant bluetooth issues, navigation failures, and restarts. After a log review my mobile service got cancelled in favor of a SC visit. I also got a notice that parts were ordered for my car:

MSX MCU PC TEGRA DAUGHTERBOARD-PROVISIONED
Part #: 2728211-S0-A

I assume this is one of the refurbished Tegra cards mentioned above.

Approximately how long was your car in the Service Center? Mine went in Friday, 8/7 an not a word from them since.

 

[Lisajet_SJC]

My car is out of warrantee and MCU failed, black screen and car would not drive. I had PIN to drive set so it may have driven if that were not the case. Roadside assistance towed it to Watertown MA service center and they did not charge me for the tow, it was over 2 hours for the truck to arrive due to having to send a second truck. The replacement part was going to be a $1200 refurbished part. Then they called and said Tesla engineering has a new technical procedure they would try. It worked. Total charge was $195 for labor and diagnostic. They said the MCU was 100% working and should be good for another 2 years. But I should be prepared to upgrade at a future date. This was about 3 weeks ago. Hopefully this technical procedure works for some of the soft failures. Seems like it could be a scheduled service to avoid the tow and loss of my car for a week.

Hi Jimali - My 2016 MS 90D had the same issue a couple weeks ago. Completely black center screen and drained battery so I had to have it towed to the Service Center. The new part was ordered and while at the SC, the Tesla engineers magically found a cure for it and "repaired" my existing MCU1. I had the car back for a week before the center screen went black again. Keep an eye on strange sounds, charging issues, etc and be prepared to send it back in. The car came back online after sitting at home overnight, but I'm back on the list for a replacement. Fingers are crossed your "repair" experience isn't like mine!

 

[JPP]

My touchscreen has been going blank periodically, I had a mobile service appointment setup, and just like you said, they cancelled it and changed it to a service center appointment... They haven't said why yet, I'm but I'm REALLY hoping it'll come back saying the same thing as yours did! My 2016 S is still under warranty for another year, so I'm really hoping I can get this taken care of before then.

They don't want to do Tegra/MCU swaps as Mobile Service as there is a lot of 'down time' waiting for certs to be copied over and firmware to be updated. Wastes a mobile tech time. Service Center tech can go on to another car/job while waiting.

 

[Doanster1]

My first MCU1 was replaced under warranty due to the screen delamination issue. The replacement was a brand new one manufactured in 2018. That eMMC lasted only 2 years, and I've heard of some that have lasted only 1 year, so I'd be cautious about that 4-5 year estimate if they replace it wish another 8GB chip.

Still better to get a 3rd party to put in a bigger chip, IMO. Mine was replaced 3rd party with a 32GB chip a couple of months ago for around $800. It is estimated to last a minimum of 14 years.

I know it can run the gamut. Mine so far is 5yrs+.
Based on subsequent posts about a magical technical cure, I’ll bet they were able to safely release some previously private/keep out space, which is still a small band aid at best. Sounds like more data will be rolling in on this thread the next few weeks.

 

[Trebek1762]

Considering the $2000 fix was just an entire new (old) MCU, how is this much different other than being a fraction of the price?

It's not.

 

[Staceych]

This is exactly what is happening to my MS right now. I thought they were replacing my MCU1 for an MCU2 and I was so happy. I am almost out of warranty. Just got word they are only replacing the chip. I sure hope its not to just buy some time until I have to pay for it

 

[Valkyrieyf19]

Hi All,
It's most likely the board is being sent to an 3rd party as the chip is surface mount soldered to the board and you need specific tools to remove and replace. Some one in Canada was doing it by using specialist software to read the info on the dead chip and replacing it with removable sd card with the same data loaded onto it.

 

[SoCal Buzz]

I'm curious about this. I'm set this week at my SC to do the infotainment upgrade (after a painful number of SC rescheduled for mis-orders). I've got a '17 MS P90 and no power liftgate. What does that have to do with the upgrade? Curious if they feed me that line as well.

I did not realize Tesla still sold cars in 2017 without a power lift-gate. Was it part of some option package at the time? Back in 2013, the power lift-gate was included in Tech Package (Navigation, etc.).

 

[whitex]

Hi All,
It's most likely the board is being sent to an 3rd party as the chip is surface mount soldered to the board and you need specific tools to remove and replace. Some one in Canada was doing it by using specialist software to read the info on the dead chip and replacing it with removable sd card with the same data loaded onto it.

It may be possible to wire it for a removable SD/MMC card, but not a great idea, primarily because it will be slower (max 4 bit vs 8 bit bus width), but also because less robust mechanically, especially is soldered onto an BGA pad meant for a chip. Electronics in cars experience a lot of G's.

 

[RedOctober]

It's anyway kind of good news for us Europeans that cannot get a MCU2 upgrade, provided it reaches the continent, of course.

It’s the same thing here in Canada. The SC email informed me there is part restraint on MCU2’s and may be two months before they will have any available for upgrades.

 

[markwong]

Got email that state they are shipping me this “MCU,MDLSX,NA PREMIUM,REMAN
Part #: 1098010-99-H”. Is this new? They told me they have to build one.

 

[reddy]

Got email that state they are shipping me this “MCU,MDLSX,NA PREMIUM,REMAN
Part #: 1098010-99-H”. Is this new? They told me they have to build one.

That's the full MCU, remanufactured.

 

[reddy]

I've been waiting almost 7 weeks for my dead MCU replacement. The first 5 weeks they were waiting on the remanufactured MCU. Last Friday I got a new proposed invoice :

It looks like the new plan is to only replace the daughterboard. I have a early 2013 Model S.

 

[markwong]

That's the full MCU, remanufactured.

Why am I getting a full MCU?

 

[JPP]

I've been waiting almost 7 weeks for my dead MCU replacement. The first 5 weeks they were waiting on the remanufactured MCU. Last Friday I got a new proposed invoice :View attachment 575632

It looks like the new plan is to only replace the daughterboard. I have a early 2013 Model S.

I trust your touchscreen is OK (no leaks, yellowing)...