So when the temps have been dropping lately in Santa Cruz down to the high 30's I started having issues charging my Roadster. I'd get the red charge port light and on the VMS (debug mode) I had the following error:
===================
BSM: Contactor power failure
ID: 271 Data:0x00004000
===================
I fixed this by removing the charger, closing the charge port door, and turning the car on, start, and then back to off. When connecting the charger back in the Roadster charged back up normally.
This occurred 3-4 more times, either when it was cold or rainy out.
I contacted Tesla and they indicated that since I had a 1.5 I may be missing a powershare adapter (that may have been added in later models) that allows the Roadster to charge in colder weather conditions. So I scheduled a time to drop by so they can inspect to take a look.
Well today I ran into more BSM and charging issues. Its been Raining out, pouring pretty hard, and when I went to charge the Roadster today in 58F degree weather it failed to charge again. I had two more BSM error messages, and finally a message appeared on the VMS indicating that charging was aborted and service was needed:
=====================
BSM: Isolation fault
while contactors closed
ID: 286 Data: 024000000
=====================
=====================
BSM: Isolation fault
before charge
ID: 287 Data: 0x44000000
=====================
=====================
BSM: Isolation Fault
ID:283 Data: 0x44000000
=====================
Unfortunately my workarounds no longer worked
I then sent these error messages to Tesla, and the reply was that I had water work its way between the motor body and the motor shroud and that's what this message is indicating. And that I should allow the car to dry off. I also can bring the car in for good cleaning. I don't understand how water worked its way in there, I wasn't driving it in the rain, water can from what I can see only work in from the two side cooling vents behind the doors or drip from the rain-drip that's in front of the battery pack just behind the rear window. It appears to dump water down right around where those two vents are located behind the doors. The motor to me looks pretty tucked up and away from all this. Possibly it could get in there, but from what I am looking at I just don't quite see it.
So my car is kept outside, I called Tesla before I bought it and asked what the impact would be if I kept the car outside and they said it would be ok.
However I'm getting an odd response with this. Possibly its too early, I really want to push for a "permanent" fix. If water is working its way to the motor it should be addressed and fixed. The car should be able to charge outside in the rain, wind, and snow. If not it needs to be designed so it does work.
I'm curious, has anyone come across this issue?
My biggest concern is that its going to rain on a trip and I'll be stuck, stranded, unable to charge or get my Roadster moving for who knows how long and the best advice is to allow the car to dry out.... EeeGads!
I'm sure there are other 1.5 Roadster owners who live in way more harsher environments than Santa Cruz California who keep their cars outside and not encountering this issue, right!?
Owning a garage should not be a requirement of owning a Roadster
It is in the early stages so I'll give Tesla the benefit of the doubt and I'll push for a proper diagnostic of the issue. Problem is if the problem disappears its harder for them to solve. What may happen is to try adding the powershare adapter under the dash if that's not present and allow time and rainstorms to pass. If the issue pops up again, then more diagnostic work.
===================
BSM: Contactor power failure
ID: 271 Data:0x00004000
===================
I fixed this by removing the charger, closing the charge port door, and turning the car on, start, and then back to off. When connecting the charger back in the Roadster charged back up normally.
This occurred 3-4 more times, either when it was cold or rainy out.
I contacted Tesla and they indicated that since I had a 1.5 I may be missing a powershare adapter (that may have been added in later models) that allows the Roadster to charge in colder weather conditions. So I scheduled a time to drop by so they can inspect to take a look.
Well today I ran into more BSM and charging issues. Its been Raining out, pouring pretty hard, and when I went to charge the Roadster today in 58F degree weather it failed to charge again. I had two more BSM error messages, and finally a message appeared on the VMS indicating that charging was aborted and service was needed:
=====================
BSM: Isolation fault
while contactors closed
ID: 286 Data: 024000000
=====================
=====================
BSM: Isolation fault
before charge
ID: 287 Data: 0x44000000
=====================
=====================
BSM: Isolation Fault
ID:283 Data: 0x44000000
=====================
Unfortunately my workarounds no longer worked
I then sent these error messages to Tesla, and the reply was that I had water work its way between the motor body and the motor shroud and that's what this message is indicating. And that I should allow the car to dry off. I also can bring the car in for good cleaning. I don't understand how water worked its way in there, I wasn't driving it in the rain, water can from what I can see only work in from the two side cooling vents behind the doors or drip from the rain-drip that's in front of the battery pack just behind the rear window. It appears to dump water down right around where those two vents are located behind the doors. The motor to me looks pretty tucked up and away from all this. Possibly it could get in there, but from what I am looking at I just don't quite see it.
So my car is kept outside, I called Tesla before I bought it and asked what the impact would be if I kept the car outside and they said it would be ok.
However I'm getting an odd response with this. Possibly its too early, I really want to push for a "permanent" fix. If water is working its way to the motor it should be addressed and fixed. The car should be able to charge outside in the rain, wind, and snow. If not it needs to be designed so it does work.
I'm curious, has anyone come across this issue?
My biggest concern is that its going to rain on a trip and I'll be stuck, stranded, unable to charge or get my Roadster moving for who knows how long and the best advice is to allow the car to dry out.... EeeGads!
I'm sure there are other 1.5 Roadster owners who live in way more harsher environments than Santa Cruz California who keep their cars outside and not encountering this issue, right!?
Owning a garage should not be a requirement of owning a Roadster
It is in the early stages so I'll give Tesla the benefit of the doubt and I'll push for a proper diagnostic of the issue. Problem is if the problem disappears its harder for them to solve. What may happen is to try adding the powershare adapter under the dash if that's not present and allow time and rainstorms to pass. If the issue pops up again, then more diagnostic work.
Last edited: