Powertrain Problem: Restart When Safe (Error 909)

So, I had a very nice morning out tooling around with the Roadster. Came home, put it on the charger and, after 30 minutes of charging, got error 909 "DMC HW: PhaseB Low Side Desat Fault"

Car won't charge, car won't drive. It's a paperweight. A really expensive, really cool-looking paperweight but, none the less, a paperweight.

Called Tyco Rd. TSC. They're going to get a flatbed over here this afternoon to take it away.

*sigh. This ain't gonna be cheap, I'm sure of it.

More details on the driving problem (if anyone cares). I get into the car, stick in the key and turn it, car powers up normally. Release the parking brake, put the car in "D". Every thing is hunky and/or dory at this point. Take my foot off the brake...and that's where it fails. I get a red "FAULT" light on the dash, and the "Powertrain Problem: Restart when safe" error on the VDS (and the car goes nowhere). Turn key off, take key out, put key back in, repeat...same problem.

Over the past few months, I've been getting an #1076: "DMC FW: PhaseB Temp Diff Warning". It was doing this before my annual service (which I just had done like two months ago (5 Jan 16)). I mentioned it to the TSC when they had it in and they said those errors were no big deal; related to outside temperature.

Now I'm not so sure (especially considering that this "dead" error is also referencing PhaseB (whatever that is)).

spaceballs said:

All PEM related so guessing SC will recommend swap in another PEM.

Click to expand...

Good guess.

TSC called...car needs a new PEM. Bad news, they don't have any...new or remanufactured. If it ends up being a new one, they're talking $8,000 to replace it.

I explained to them that they replaced it just last year, and that I've been complaining to them about PEM temperature problems, PEM-related error messages, overheating problems, etc. since they replaced it. Clearly, it didn't "just die"...it has had issues for a while and has finally given up the ghost.

They're trying to work with me on the pricing; which is fair.

But they did say that it's going to be "a while" before I get the car back...since they don't have any PEMs, nor any idea when they're going to have one available for my car.

- - - Updated - - -

spaceballs said:

What error do you see when you try to charge your car?

Click to expand...

For the record, spaceballs, it was throwing out several faults upon charge failure.

- Vehicle Alert Code: TR2N/1023 (06000000)
- Vehicle Alert #933: DMC FW: Line OverCurrent Fault
and the Vehicle Alert #909: DMC HW: PhaseB Low Side Desat Fault

ElectricLove said:

I hate to say it but, there is another option and if Tesla is out of PEM's it may be the only option... Repair instead of Replace...

Click to expand...

If Tesla can't come through...and you guys become a Sponsored Vendor...I'm willing to have a serious conversation about that.

sethr said:

Sorry to hear this. I do hope they are only temporarily out of PEMs due to using them for 3.0's, and that this is not a warning sign that Roadsters won't be supported in the future.

Click to expand...

The lack of PEMs is a big concern for me, too (considering I've gone through 2 in 14 months) but, it was my understanding that the 3.0 upgrade doesn't require a new PEM...just a firmware update to the existing PEM, so I don't think the shortage would be caused by that.

It might be indirectly caused by the 3.0 upgrade, because I don't imagine Tesla has limitless human resources to put on the Roadster. So, the few Roadster folks at the factory are probably busy building 3.0 batteries, not making replacement parts (like PEMs).