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2021 Model Y Long Range - Slow charging and 'Drivetrain Malfunction' alert

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Mike T. · rep 0 · May 25, 4:00 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range

Hey everyone,

I'm facing a weird issue with my 2021 Model Y Long Range. For the past week, charging has been incredibly slow, both at home on my Wall Connector and at Superchargers. It's taking much longer than usual to add range. To make matters worse, yesterday I got a 'Drivetrain Malfunction' alert pop up on the screen, although the car seems to drive fine for now.

The car has about 35,000 miles on it. I've tried rebooting the screen and the full power cycle, but the slow charging persists, and the drivetrain alert keeps reappearing intermittently. Are these issues related? Has anyone experienced something similar?

Any thoughts on what might be going on would be really helpful. Thanks!

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 25, 4:00 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

The combination of slow charging and a 'Drivetrain Malfunction' alert on your 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range suggests an interconnected issue within the high-voltage system or power electronics. While seemingly disparate, charging and drivetrain functions rely on many of the same core components.

Here's what could be happening and what to do:

  1. Interconnected Systems: The onboard charger, inverter (part of the drivetrain), and battery management system (BMS) all work in concert for both driving and charging. A fault in one of these critical components can affect both functions.

  2. Potential Causes:

    • Onboard Charger (OBC) Fault: The OBC is responsible for converting AC power from your home or public chargers into DC power for the battery. A malfunction here would directly explain slow or failed charging. Sometimes, a partial failure can also trigger broader system alerts like a 'Drivetrain Malfunction' due to communication errors or shared components.
    • HV Battery Contactor Issues: Similar to the previous thread, issues with the high-voltage contactors can impede both power delivery for driving and power acceptance for charging.
    • Drive Unit Inverter/Rectifier Issues: The inverter is crucial for driving, but parts of its circuitry also play a role in the charging process, especially when converting power. A fault here could trigger the drivetrain alert and impact charging efficiency.
    • BMS Communication Errors: If the Battery Management System is having trouble communicating or reporting accurate data, the vehicle might limit charging rates and trigger general fault codes to prevent damage.
    • Internal Diagnostic Codes: Expect codes such as CHG_f001 (Onboard Charger Fault), DRV_INV_005 (Inverter Malfunction), or BMS_COM_002 (BMS Communication Error) to be present.

  3. When to See a Shop:

    • Promptly: While the car might still drive, the 'Drivetrain Malfunction' alert is a warning that a critical system is not operating correctly. Continuing to drive or charge with these issues could potentially lead to further damage or leave you stranded.
    • Schedule Service: Contact Tesla Service immediately. They will perform a comprehensive diagnostic check, which is essential to identify the precise component causing both the charging and drivetrain issues. This is not a problem that can be resolved with a simple reset.

Do not ignore these warnings, as they point to a fundamental issue with your vehicle's power delivery and management systems.

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