Multiple system errors - 2 weeks at the dealer
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Multiple system errors - 2 weeks at the dealer
I just got my 991.2 GTS back from the dealer and, hopefully, this thread will be helpful to someone in the future.
2 weeks ago my instrument cluster lit up like Christmas, every warning light came on along with multiple error messages.
- system error
- ABS error
- RAS disabled
- power steering failure
- PDCC error
- the rear spoiler went up and became inoperable
- PSM error
Interestingly, the error messages were accompanied by several messages to the effect of "okay to drive carefully" and, to paraphrase, "drive to service". It was also clear to me that the engine management system had the car in a limp mode and power steering would periodically go completely off leaving me with a very heavy stick. The dealer gets the car and keeps me updated with daily progress, and PCNA got involved too. I saw the 1" book of paper when I picked it up; they had at least 30 hours diagnosing the problem. Initially, they suspected ABS sensor but that turned out not to be the issue.
How the tech found this issue I will never fully appreciate. Based on my reading of the paperwork, every body panel and liner that could be removed was and it was after removing the interior panels and seats in the back and tracing the wiring starting with the left/right steering motors he discovered that the multiple faults in comm with the PSM control unit were due to a short to ground in the harness. A section of wiring harness that runs through the body above the right rear tire has rubbed up against the metal and shorted out. A suspected defect from the factory, this section of wiring should have been taped and secured... PCNA will make that determination but I doubt I will hear from them on the matter.
Electrical system issues in these cars terrify me, and it's one reason why I don't keep modern cars for more than a few years. I can't imagine what the bill would be for this problem were I not on warranty but I suspect the labor alone would have run $4-5k. Tesla is taking a pretty smart - very Silicon Valley - approach to vehicle electronics. Rather than a central computer that manages multiple systems, they push systems-on-a-chip as much as possible with redundant wiring systems to network everything together.
2 weeks ago my instrument cluster lit up like Christmas, every warning light came on along with multiple error messages.
- system error
- ABS error
- RAS disabled
- power steering failure
- PDCC error
- the rear spoiler went up and became inoperable
- PSM error
Interestingly, the error messages were accompanied by several messages to the effect of "okay to drive carefully" and, to paraphrase, "drive to service". It was also clear to me that the engine management system had the car in a limp mode and power steering would periodically go completely off leaving me with a very heavy stick. The dealer gets the car and keeps me updated with daily progress, and PCNA got involved too. I saw the 1" book of paper when I picked it up; they had at least 30 hours diagnosing the problem. Initially, they suspected ABS sensor but that turned out not to be the issue.
How the tech found this issue I will never fully appreciate. Based on my reading of the paperwork, every body panel and liner that could be removed was and it was after removing the interior panels and seats in the back and tracing the wiring starting with the left/right steering motors he discovered that the multiple faults in comm with the PSM control unit were due to a short to ground in the harness. A section of wiring harness that runs through the body above the right rear tire has rubbed up against the metal and shorted out. A suspected defect from the factory, this section of wiring should have been taped and secured... PCNA will make that determination but I doubt I will hear from them on the matter.
Electrical system issues in these cars terrify me, and it's one reason why I don't keep modern cars for more than a few years. I can't imagine what the bill would be for this problem were I not on warranty but I suspect the labor alone would have run $4-5k. Tesla is taking a pretty smart - very Silicon Valley - approach to vehicle electronics. Rather than a central computer that manages multiple systems, they push systems-on-a-chip as much as possible with redundant wiring systems to network everything together.
#2
Rennlist Member
Sorry to hear your problems, thanks for sharing. It does seem that electrical issues are the majority and it still amazes me that the weight of the wiring is so much. CAN bus has been around a long time and in theory has reduced the amount of wires, and Automotive Ethernet will soon dominate (maybe that's in Tesla already?) It just takes so long for the auto industry to adopt new stuff.