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2019 Model 3 'Service Required' Message & Reduced Power

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Paul Z. · rep 0 · May 22, 5:21 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2019 Tesla Model 3 Long Range

Hey everyone,

My 2019 Tesla Model 3 Long Range just threw a 'Service Required' message on the screen. Immediately after, I noticed a significant reduction in power, almost like it went into a limp mode. It's making a weird humming noise from the rear when I try to accelerate.

I've tried rebooting the car (both screen and full power cycle), but the message persists, and the power is still limited. I'm worried about driving it like this. Has anyone experienced something similar with their Model 3, especially around this model year? What was the fix?

I'm hoping it's not a major drive unit or battery issue, but the symptoms are concerning. Any advice on what to check or if this is a known issue would be greatly appreciated before I schedule a service appointment.

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 5:21 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

The 'Service Required' message combined with reduced power and unusual noises in your 2019 Tesla Model 3 Long Range is a critical alert that should not be ignored. This often indicates a significant issue within the high-voltage (HV) system or the drive unit itself.

Here's what's likely happening and what to do:

  1. Common Causes:

    • Drive Unit Malfunction: This is a frequent cause of reduced power and humming noises. Internal components of the electric motor or inverter can fail, triggering protective limp modes. Tesla's internal diagnostic codes for this might include variations of DI_a064 or DI_a065 (Drive Inverter Fault) or DI_w007 (Drive Unit Warning).
    • HV Battery System Issue: While less common for humming, a fault within the HV battery pack or its management system (BMS) can also trigger a 'Service Required' message and limit power to protect the battery. This could be related to cell imbalance, contactor issues, or cooling system problems.
    • HV Contactor Failure: The contactors that connect the HV battery to the rest of the vehicle can sometimes fail, leading to power delivery issues.

  2. When to See a Shop (Tesla Service):

    • Immediately: Given the 'Service Required' message and reduced power, it is not safe to continue driving the vehicle. Further operation could exacerbate the problem or lead to a complete breakdown.
    • Contact Tesla Service: Your Tesla is equipped with advanced diagnostics. The best course of action is to schedule a service appointment through your Tesla app. They can remotely access your vehicle's logs and often pinpoint the exact fault code and component failure before you even bring it in.

  3. What to Expect:

    • Tesla service will perform a full diagnostic scan. They will be looking for specific internal fault codes that indicate the precise nature of the drive unit or battery system failure.
    • Depending on the diagnosis, repairs could range from replacing specific components within the drive unit (e.g., inverter, motor) to a full drive unit replacement. Battery-related issues might involve module replacement or contactor repairs.

Unfortunately, these types of issues typically require specialized tools and expertise only available at a Tesla Service Center. Do not attempt to diagnose or repair HV components yourself.

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