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Why is it that, typically whenever you attain a milestone and you might be actually pleased about it, issues go unhealthy afterwards? I not too long ago wrote a evaluate of my Tesla Mannequin 3 reaching 100,000 miles, with detailed TCO (Complete Price of Possession), and I stick by the conclusion that this automotive is superb. Nevertheless, what I assumed was outdated worn out 12-volt battery subject (leading to my automotive having to be towed to the service heart and keep there for a number of days) was really one thing completely completely different.
Since I so not too long ago wrote in regards to the automotive, I owe you this little story of what occurred subsequent. I by no means heard of this fault earlier than, so it’s in everybody’s curiosity to know it could occur — to any EV actually. I can’t blame Tesla for being a bit gradual on the service aspect when it clearly prioritizes scheduled service. I get that. Communication by way of the app was efficient, however per week continues to be a very long time to attend. You actually know what you have got whenever you don’t have it. Which really simply tells you what an incredible product we’re coping with right here.
Journey to Copenhagen for a gathering. 330 km (205 miles). Chilly climate 3°C (37°F). Begin out with a recent nightly cost to 100% indicating a spread of 460 km (286 miles). Actual vary on motorway the entire journey at speeds between 100–130 km/h (62–81 mph) and at this low temperature is about 350 km (217 miles).
First cease at 230 km (143 miles) at V2 Supercharger for quarter-hour, leading to an emptied bladder and loads of vary to achieve the vacation spot and again to this specific spot. Upon reaching my vacation spot, the navigation was solely off by 3 minutes.
Going again within the afternoon, I made a decision to achieve a V3 Supercharge nearer to dwelling. Vary was all the way down to 14 km (7 miles) at arrival, and the automotive charged actually quick. Began out at 254 kW, and after a rest room and occasional cease within the mall on the website of no more that 20 minutes, I used to be good to go together with 80% SOC (State Of Cost). However then…
I used to be unable to launch the cost plug and the cost indicator went purple. The show stated “Unable to cost, launch plug and check out once more. (BMS_a174)” (My translation from Danish). OK, so I needed to do the handbook launch positioned up on the left by means of the trunk opening. Now, with the plug out, a brand new error appeared: “Charging is deactivated by handbook launch, shut cost port and check out once more (CP_a035).” However the cost port had closed, so we the place now in a state of affairs the place the automotive had misplaced the notion of its personal elements.
At this level I attempted to drive, however was informed “Cost port needs to be closed to drive (BMS_a167),” which it was, after which a extra cryptic “Cost port can’t open with activated brake, launch brake pedal and check out once more (VCFRONT_a563).” Solely after a few restarts (maintain each scroll buttons on steering wheel for a couple of seconds to make automotive restart itself), was I capable of drive, however with the messages of cost port being open (BMS_a167 and CP_a035) preventing for display screen actual property the remainder of the best way dwelling.
Arriving dwelling, the automotive wouldn’t take cost from my Tesla wall charger, it had a purple cost mild on the port with “Can’t cost (BMS_a063)” on the touchscreen, and it included some extra messages like “Management unit for local weather management wants service (VCFRONT_a447)” and “Electrical system unable to help all capabilities (VCFRONT_a192).”
I googled a bit, and I attempted to show off the automotive for a couple of minutes from the service menu after which wake it by urgent the brake pedal. No distinction. One suggestion was to depart the automotive in a single day with the cost plug in and hope it’d magically have come to its senses within the morning.
Properly, the following morning I discovered a message on my telephone despatched from the automotive at 4:00 am: “12 volt battery wants substitute, schedule service now.” Okay, that explains the automotive being confused, however too late — I discovered the automotive lifeless in my driveway, unresponsive to something, cost plug caught within the automotive. I used to be not even capable of open any doorways.
Now, be warned, the web is a blessing, as a result of you’ll find options to nearly something, and I did. I discovered all of the directions on the right way to open the frunk to get to the battery, however I did nothing. Why? As a result of at this level, if I made a single mistake and destroyed something, I’m certain my insurance coverage wouldn’t be pleased, particularly understanding that I’ve roadside help. So, I saved my fingers behind my again and watched the good man with the tow truck do his factor.
Spoiler alert: It turned on the market was nothing mistaken with the 12V battery. Good factor I didn’t attempt to change it myself….
Responding to my enquiry about this, I’m informed by Tesla service that they can’t promise the automotive will probably be prepared this week, however they’ll do what they will and let me know Friday. That is the purpose at which I really feel it has been some time with no progress and little data on the explanation for the breakdown.
8:30 am I get a message on the app that the automotive is prepared for pickup. The hooked up bill states {that a} Quick Cost Contactor meeting for the Excessive Voltage Battery has been changed. I paid DKK 3,480 ($504) for the restore and picked up the automotive — after opening hours, so I didn’t get the possibility to speak to anybody.
This raises the query: Why did I get the “12 volt battery wants substitute, schedule service now” message? I’ve requested this query within the publish service suggestions kind to Tesla, however I don’t count on a solution apart from within the line of: Prognosis was carried out, faulty elements changed (which means the 12-volt battery continues to be fantastic).
My idea is that, as I had the automotive plugged within the night time it died, it might repeatedly attempt to provoke cost in useless because of the seized up quick cost contactor, thus draining the 12-volt battery to the purpose the place it might warn me it wanted changed. And because it was a freezing chilly night time, the voltage dropped so low the automotive finally shut down. Any concepts? And most significantly, can I depend on the automotive giving me the 12-volt lead-acid battery warning in due time, or ought to or not it’s changed preemptively each, say, 5 years?
Keep in mind, Mannequin 3s manufactured at Giga Shanghai earlier than roughly October 2021, and within the Fremont manufacturing facility earlier than roughly December 2021, are geared up with a lead-acid 12-volt battery (nominal voltage is definitely nearer to 14 volts). Since then, they’re geared up with a small lithium-ion battery (with a nominal voltage nearer to 16 volts), which supposedly lasts loads longer. Goes for Mannequin Y too I suppose.
However why would a contactor seize up within the first place? Properly, I’m no professional, however quite a few causes come to thoughts: Common put on, in order that the surfaces within the contactor supplies can’t attain one another. Moisture, making shifting elements erode and get caught. Small sparks finally welding contactor surfaces collectively. Low voltage coils failure. I imply, I’ve seen many 12-volt contactors on my outdated vehicles and motorbikes fail over time, so it’s not like a very new subject. It’s simply actually annoying when it occurs.
Since a variety of used Teslas are operating up large mileage around the globe, I simply thought this specific incidence could possibly be of curiosity — to any EV proprietor, really. It additionally goes to indicate that error messages typically are a results of one thing completely completely different failing. So, sure, EVs break down too, however I nonetheless consider ICEVs are extra fragile attributable to many extra potential factors of failure.
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