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2018 Model 3 Long Range charging slowly or not starting at all at home

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Chris P. · rep 0 · May 22, 5:25 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range

Hey everyone, I'm having a persistent issue with my 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range. For the past few weeks, charging at home has been really inconsistent. Sometimes it charges super slowly, like 5-10 miles per hour, even on my Wall Connector that used to give me 30+ mph. Other times, I plug it in, and it just doesn't start charging at all. I get a 'Charging Interrupted' message on the screen or in the app.

I've tried restarting the car (scroll wheels) and checking the Wall Connector for any obvious damage, but everything seems fine. It charges okay at Superchargers, so I'm thinking it's not the car's charging port itself. Could this be a battery management system (BMS) issue, or something with the onboard charger? It's getting pretty frustrating not knowing if I'll wake up to a full charge.

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 5:25 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

Inconsistent home charging for your 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range can stem from several electrical and electronic components. Since Supercharging works, it points towards your home setup or the car's AC charging system.

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Inspect Wall Connector & Cable: Carefully examine your Tesla Wall Connector and the charging cable for any signs of physical damage, fraying, or corrosion on the pins. A damaged cable or connector can lead to poor conductivity and charging interruptions.
  2. Check Breaker: Ensure the circuit breaker for your Wall Connector hasn't tripped or isn't faulty. A weak breaker can sometimes cause intermittent power delivery.
  3. Software Update: Verify your vehicle's software is up to date. Tesla frequently releases updates that include improvements to charging algorithms and battery management.
  4. Charging Schedule/Amperage: Double-check your in-car charging settings and the Tesla app. Make sure there isn't a low amperage limit set or a charging schedule interfering with your desired charge times.
  5. Battery Preconditioning: For optimal charging, especially in colder weather, ensure your battery is preconditioned. If the battery is too cold, the car will limit charging speed to protect the battery.

Potential Causes:

  • Faulty Wall Connector: The Wall Connector itself might be failing internally.
  • Onboard Charger (OBC) Issue: While less common if DC Supercharging works, the AC onboard charger could be malfunctioning, leading to slow or no AC charging.
  • Battery Management System (BMS) Glitch: A software or hardware issue with the BMS could incorrectly report battery status or limit charging.
  • Service Port Communication: Issues with the communication between the car and the Wall Connector.

When to See a Shop:

If after performing the above steps the issue persists, it's time to schedule a service appointment with Tesla. They have proprietary diagnostic tools to pinpoint issues with the onboard charger, BMS, or charging port communication. Mention that Supercharging works fine, as this helps narrow down their diagnostic focus to AC charging components. They can check for specific internal diagnostic codes related to charging system faults.

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