I have been having a bit of a struggle trying to correct this issue and want some opinions or anything else come with this problem. I have had the car over 3 years (got used) and this is the first summer this has happened. And, where I live, the summer has been milder than previous summers, so my first jump of "heat" isn't the whole issue as the car would have had problems the prior summers). Note, car charges in garage with another EV (Bolt). There is a bit of history, so get ready:
- First part of summer noticed car charging only @ 60 amps. A flip of the breaker and reset of the HPWC fixed the issue, but would go back once a week or so. Noticed at one point in the morning the car's fans (which are usually jet engine loud) were still running in the morning. Got a warning in car that AC cooling reduced to cool battery systems. I took the car into the shop (AC was blowing hot air) and it was determined that the active louvers were not opening, this was fixed
- While car was being repaired, loaner P85 fans in same hot garage are whisper quiet and car never charged under 80amps. I expected this to occur with my car's fix.
- Car still sounds like a jet engine much louder than the 2014 P85, 60amp reduction occurred one week after fix. Called tesla again and they thought it was the HPWC and sent mobile service. Up until then, having to reset the HPWC once every other day at least
- Tesla tech comes out and says the car is receiving an "overcurrent" communication from the HPWC so it reduces the amps to 60. He then explains that is just fine and 60 amps is good and I should live with it. I pointed out I don't want to live with something that is not performing as advertised, something is wrong. They can't fix anything because its coming before the HPWC he said (electrical work).
- Call electricians (overcurrent could create heat problems = fire, so want to make sure all is safe). Lines between the panel and HPWC seemed to be ok/working order. The main panel had some heat damage to the bus bars and electrician says if there is overcurrent, the car is probably the only smart one to detect it. Because of the damage, recommended replacing main breaker/bus bar, it wasn't a dire problem yet, but it will be eventually
- While waiting for the items, sometimes (but not all the time) the HPWC shows a blinking yellow/orange light while charging or when finished charging (still green for both so it shows both).
- Replacement for panel goes fine, but car reverts back to 60 amps (with blinking orange on HPWC) one day after.
- Contact support via email asking what the blinking orange is, and was told it is a heating issue and might have bad connections in the HPWC.
- Opened HPWC today to look at the connection bar thingie (sorry not an electrician). All wires were set in tight, no heat damage shown, reconnected wires just in case.
- Handle is very warm, almost uncomfortable to the touch, I would say equal to (and maybe more) than a supercharger when charging.
- Breaker (100amp) directly to the car gets extremely warm, breaker to subpanel does NOT get that warm (cars on on subpanel), main breakers get extremely warm (just slightly less than the 100amp for the car).