what are the common reasons for model 3 drive inverter failures?

[42degreesracing]

hello, I have been looking for an 980 inverter form my car, and the only one I could find is bad. I was hoping to repair it and was wondering if anycome cuold give me any infomation on what goes out on these and if there is a way to test it. I have not problems doing the test and repairs myself, I jsut dont know where to start and what hoping someone here could speed up ,y process. any infomation would be greatly appreicated. I know that the issue is common and probably a simple fix rather then trying to get another one whoch seem nearly impossible since tesla wont sell them. I have tried that route with no success. thank you

[davefiddes]

How did you determine it was "bad"? To the best of my knowledge Tesla software lock the inverter to the cars main ECU. This makes transplants impossible unless you are Tesla. The only method of reusing the M3 drive units is provided by Ingenext who require you to send them the inverter for them to reprogram. It looks like a nice kit though.

There is work underway to adapt the M3 inverter into running Openinverter but it's a long way from being functional and will require a hot air gun, scalpel and soldering iron.

[42degreesracing]

I have access to the MCU throught a undisclosed method and I am able to send the command to redeploy the firmware, but the redeploy will replace the firmware for any replaced modules but wont work if the part is bad(I got the inverter for 300usd off ebay listed as a untested unit and it came in a factory tesla box).I even had requested the tesla service center send one over the air with a little story they accepted as true and that failed.

So I do believe the inverter is bad and just want to experiment with it, no harm if the attemp to fix doesnt work, I learn something new with every attempt I try. I am doing my research on this subject and was just hoping someone would be able to point to in the right direction or to actual know problems to speed up my progress. I hope this clears up dave's question and I could get some constructive help instead of belittlement.

[davefiddes]

I'm sorry if I upset you, I did not intend to belittle. Your question was really vague and unclear and it's difficult to share any assistance without context.

It seems that you are coming at the M3 drive unit from quite a different angle from the openinverter community. We are approaching it from a bottom up, reverse engineering point of view with the intent that all data, hardware and software are Open Source. I've summarised what we know on the wiki: https://openinverter.org/wiki/Tesla_Mod ... Drive_Unit. Some of the links there may be of assistance.

As I explained the project is not far enough along to have a fully functioning inverter yet so it's difficult to tell a working unit from a failed unit. We have two approaches to getting the M3 working: a modboard that replaces the MCU with an STM32F1, and/or a replacement C2000 firmware running on a new TMS320F28377. Both approaches are predicated on physical removal and replacement of the MCU as we have zero knowledge of how to do this any other way.

[42degreesracing]

thank you for the kind word and the information. I will look it over and if the is anything I can add Ill cantact you with any info that might benifit your project. thank you again.

[EV_Builder]

thank you for the kind word and the information. I will look it over and if the is anything I can add Ill cantact you with any info that might benifit your project. thank you again.

Hi what you need in order to run the motor is:

A) a big DBC of model 3 with alle the commands and allot of patience for sorting it out;
B) the body control unit of the car the inverter came from. Its the body control unit who has stored the answer of the IMMO in the inverter.

If you bought a new inverter you will need it to learn the IMMO key. I don't know if a reconfiguration does that but i estimate the chance as high.

If you can get access to a model 3 you might hook it up and redeploy to it. If then it works you can start from there.

All in all not an easy task.


This forum is about controlling and parametrization of the motor your self. So we 'ditch' the firmware of Tesla but keep the design.
(kinda).

P.S. If you want to sell the inverter let me know.