Tesla Codes

All cars are required to have an OBD2 port by law. Tesla vehicles have OBD2 ports for compliance, but, without an engine, most OBD2 codes are not applicable. There is data in CAN bus. Trying to get repair information from Tesla is difficult as they are not supportive of DIY repair.  There is a “right to repair” law in Massachusetts although obtaining repair information is still difficult despite the laws in place in that state and fight to open up access.  There is a website to purchase access if you live in Massachusetts or internationally, but reports have been mixed on actually receiving access. Here is the service page link: https://service.teslamotors.com/. The Tesla customer service representatives contacted by your editorial staff were not familiar with the service website and could not provide guidance.

Model S Location

The connector on Model S is above the left foot rest below the steering wheel.

Tesla Roadster VDS Trouble Codes

These codes are from the original Tesla Roadster model but should be mostly applicable to other models. The below list consists of the code, fault message that appears, a debug mode message that does not usually display, and some notes on repair. To enter debug mode, tap the visual display six times and enter your access code.

Code	Color	Fault text	Debug text	Notes
0		Battery Problem Service Required	Critical Brick Over Voltage fault
2		Battery too cold Vehicle shutting down	Critical Sheet Under Temp fault
3	blue	Maintenance Service Required		Have the car serviced or reset the service interval.
4		Battery too hot Vehicle shutting down	Critical Sheet Over Temp fault
6		Battery Problem Service Required	VMS: APS Failure
7		Battery Service Required
8		Vehicle Idle for 1 Hour Shutting Down
10		Charging Problem
13	Red	Battery Problem Service Required	Critical Brick UnderVoltage fault
14			ESS Temperature Sensor Fault
16		Battery Problem Service Required	BMB: Sheet alarm
19			Isolation resistance warning
21	Yellow	Debug-Only Msg	APS OverTemp Warning
23		SHUTTING DOWN PULL OVER SAFELY	SHUTTING DOWN PULL OVER SAFELY
25	Blue	Memory Stick transfer in progress. …	Memory stick transfer in progress. Please do not remove.	Car is downloading logs to USB memory stick. Data field shows completion percentage in hexadecimal.
27			Memory stick transfer failure. Reinsert stick to try again.
28		Transfer to memory stick has failed	Transfer to memory stick has failed
29			APS: APS power inhibited
30		Airbag System Service required	SRS: Airbag enabled in car, but disabled in VMS config
31			SRS: Airbag deployed. Contact Tesla Service Center
32			SRS: Airbag must be serviced. Contact Tesla Service Center
43	Red	Debug-Only Msg	VMS: APS Inhibited due to low brick voltage
50		Communication Problem Service Required	BMB: No data fault
51		Communication Problem Service Required	BSM: No data fault
52		Communication Problem Service Required	CSB: No data fault
53	Orange	Debug-Only Msg	GPS: No data fault
54	Orange	Coolant System Problem Charging restricted to	HVAC: No data fault
55		IP: No data fault
56		Communication Problem Power Reduced
59		Communication Problem Service Required
61		Park Lock Problem Vehicle May be Free-Rolling
90		Transmission error Service required
91		Transmission error Service required
92		Transmission error Service required
93		Transmission error Service required
94		Park Lock Problem Vehicle May be Free-Rolling
95		Park failed to disengage. Service required.
97		Park Lock Problem Vehicle May be Free-Rolling
99		Park Lock Problem Vehicle May be Free-Rolling
101		Parking System Service Required
102		Parking System Service Required
103		Parking System Service Required
105		Parking System Service Required
106		Parking System Service Required
107		Parking System Service Required
259		Charge Aborted	Battery Problem Service Required	Battery is too low to charge
260		Battery Service Required
261		Service required Charging restricted
263		Powertrain Problem Restart When Safe
264		Powertrain Problem Restart When Safe
265		Powertrain Problem Restart When Safe
269			BSM: Negative contactor/economizer stuck low
271		Battery Problem Vehicle shutting down	BSM: Contractor power failure	Has happened when starting car too soon after service plug has been inserted. Fix: Pull/insert it again and wait a few minutes before starting car.
272		Powertrain Problem Restart When Safe
273		Powertrain Problem Restart When Safe
274		Powertrain Problem Restart When Safe
275		Powertrain Problem Service Required
276		Powertrain Problem Service Required
277		Powertrain Problem Service Required
278		Powertrain Problem Service Required
279		Powertrain Problem Service Required
281			BSM: Orientation fault
282			BSM: ESS OverTermp fault
283			BSM: Isolation fault
284			BSM: Voltage sensor error
285			BSM: Isolation fault before closing contactors
286			BSM: Isolation fault while contactors closed
287		Power train Problem Service Required	BSM: Isolation fault before charge
288			BSM: V_ess too low during precharge, t2
398	blue		Key must be on to select new tires
399		Cannot select new tires while moving
400	blue	Coast in a straight line at 20-60mph for 10 seconds
401		TPMS: Left front tire very soft
402		TPMS: Left front tire soft
403		TPMS: Right front tire very soft
404		TPMS: Right front tire soft
405		TPMS: Left rear tire very soft
406		TPMS: Left rear tire soft
407		TPMS: Right rear tire very soft
408		TPMS: Right rear tire soft
409		TPMS: Hardware Error		Tire pressure cannot be monitored reliably, e.g. if you just swapped your wheels. For a while, TM was selling a “TPMS Reset Tool” which seems to be no longer available (April 2014).
411		TPMS: Tire OverTerm warning
412		TPMS: Rapid tire pressure loss
413		TPMS: Check left front tire
414		TPMS: Check right front tire
415		TPMS: Check left back tire
416		TPMS: Check right back tire
420			SWP: APS off, but no pulse from BPS
428	orange	12V Battery Service Required	SWP: Aux Battery Supply Low	Turned out battery fuse was missing. Or an old Battery (0x81248884)
429			SWP: Eeprom checksum error
430			SWP: CAN Rx OverFlow
527	Yellow	Right Headlight Bulb Out	Check right front high beam bulb	Replace the right high beam headlight bulb.
528	Yellow	Left Headlight Bulb Out	Check left front high beam bulb	Replace the left high beam headlight bulb.
529	Orange	Right Headlight Bulb Out	Check right front low beam bulb	Replace the right low beam headlight bulb.
530	Orange	Left Headlight Bulb Out	Check left front low beam bulb	Replace the left low beam headlight bulb.
538	Orange		Check Left Front Turn Bulb
539	Orange		Check Right Front Turn Bulb
600			APS: Cooling issue; power limiting in effect
601			ESS: MaxT brick too hot; power limiting in effect
602		SHUTDOWN IMMINENT Power limited
603			BSM: Isolation resistance fault; power limiting in effect
604		Battery Low Power Reduced	ESS: Low State of charge: power limiting in effect	You need to recharge
605		Standard range SOC floor reached. Stop & Charge.
606	Yellow		ESS:Range Mode Remaining charge uncertain	You need to recharge
607		ESS: MaxT brick extremely hot; power limiting in effect
608		ESS: Almost empty. Car stops in 3 miles
609		ESS: BSM/CSB/BMB no data fault; power limited
610		ESS: Almost empty. Car stops in 2 miles
611		ESS: Almost empty. Car stops in 1 mile
612		Multiple Temp Sensor Faults; Vehicle entering limp mode
613		VMS: Use MC120 to avoid trickle charge
700		Brake fluid low
701		ABS: Service required
702		ABS: Service required
703		ABS: Service required
720		900A discharge limit exceeded
721		863A discharge limit esceeded
722		805A discharge limit exceeded
723		300A discharge limit exceeded
724		200A discharge limit exceeded
725		190A charge limit exceeded
726		75A charge limit exceeded
727		60A charge limit exceeded
728		Overtemp event during charge or regen
729		Undertemp event during charge or regen
730		750A discharge warning
731		450A discharge warning; power limited
732		300A discharge warning; power limited
733		200A discharge warning; power limited
734		75A charge warning
735		60A charge warning
880		While staring, keep foot off accelerator pedal
881		While starting, foot brake must be pressed
882		Before starting, charge port door must be closed
883		Before starting, exit Tow mode		The car is still in tow mode, so it cannot be started.
884		Battery empty Can’t start
885		BMB No Data fault Can’t start
886		Battery cold Can’t start
887	Red		Can’t start Version number mismatch	Paired with 1553
888	red	Disarm vehicle with key fob before starting	VMS/PEM key mismatch	Press the button on the keyfob.
889		Service Required. Charing restricted to storage level.
901			DMC HW: PhaseA OverCurrent Fault
902			DMC HW: PhaseB OverCurrent Fault
903			DMC HW: PhaseC OverCurrent Fault
904			DMC HW: Battery OverVoltage Fault
905			DMC HW: PhaseA Low Side Desat Fault
906			DMC HW: PhaseA High Side Desat Fault
907			DMC HW: PhaseA Bias Under Voltage Fault
908			DMC HW: PhaseA Bus Over voltage fault
909			DMC HW: PhaseB Low Side Desat Fault
910			DMC HW: PhaseB High Side Desat Fault
911			DMC HW: PhaseB Biad UnderVoltage fault
912			DMC HW: PhaseB Bus OverVoltage fault
913			DMC HW: PhaseC Low Side Desat fault
914			DMC HW: PhaseC High Side Desat fault
915			DMC HW: PhaseC Bias UnderVoltage fault
916			DMC HW: PhaseC Bus OverVoltage fault
917			DMC HW: APS UnderVoltage fault
918			DMC HW: Motor OverTerm fault
919			DMC HW: Pedal Monitor fault
920			DMC HW: Line OverCurrent fault
921			DMC HW: PhaseA OverTemp fault
922			DMC HW: PhaseB OverTemp fault
923			DMC HW: PhaseC OverTerm fault
924			DMC HW: ESS Cable Interlock fault	The dealer believes this might be caused by slight corrosion on the terminals of the safety wire.
925			DMC HW: COmmon Mode Sense fault
926			DMC HW: PDP Interrupt fault
927			DMC HW: PhaseA OverCurrent fault
928			DMC HW: PhaseB OverCurrent fault
929			DMC HW: PhaseC OverCurrent fault
930			DMC FW: PhaseA OverCurrent Peak fault
931			DMC FW: PhaseB OverCurrent Peak fault
932			DMC FW: PhaseC OverCurrent Peak fault
933			DMC FW: Line OverCurrent fault
934			DMC FW: Line OverCurrent Peak Fault
935			DMC FW: Line OverVoltage fault
936	yellow	Charging Problem	DMC FW: Line OverVoltage Peak fault
937		Charge Problem Extension Cord Detected	DMC FW: Line UnderVoltage fault
938			DMC FW: Battery OverVoltage fault
939			DMC FW: Battery UnderVoltage fault
940			DMC FW: Motor OverSpeed fault
941			DMC FW: Motor Sensor1 OverTemp fault
942			DMC FW: Motor Sensor2 OverTerm fault
943			DMC FW: Motor Sensor1 UnderTemp fault
944			DMC FW: Motor Sensor2 UnderTerm fault
945		System too hot – Vehicle shutting down	DMC FW: PhaseA OverTemp fault
946			DMC FW: PhaseA Temp Diff fault
947		System Too Hot – Vehicle Shutting Down	DMC FW: PhaseB OverTemp fault	Preceded by error message 1152. Resolution: PEM fans replaced. Likely cause – 1152 indicative of contactor(s) sticking open, but not fatal. Moisture in the open contactors may have caused rusting, resulting in this error.
948			DMC FW: PhaseB Temp Diff fault
949			DMC FW: PhaseC OverTemp fault
950			DMC FW: PhaseC Temp Diff fault
951			DMC FW: Ambient OverTemp fault
952			DMC FW: Amvient UnderTemp fault
953		Line Voltage Lost Sync	DMC FW: Line Voltage Lost Sync or OverFrequency Fault	Bad power; try lowering the current and restarting (or breaker tripped)
954		Line Voltage Lost Sync	DMC FW: Line Voltage Lost Sync or UnderFrequency Fault	Bad power; try lowering the current and restarting (or breaker tripped)
955			DMC FW: Line Sync Loss fault
956			DMC FW: HCS Faulted
957			DMC FW: PEM Vbat diff from BSM Vbat fault
958			DMC FW: HCS Invalid Pilot Signal fault
959			DMC FW: Line Current or Voltage Offset Too Large fault
960			DMC FW: VBrickMax versus VBattery Error fault	You don’t want to know.
961			DMC FW: VBrickMax or VBrickLimit is invalid
962			DMC FW: Line Current Error fault
963			DMC FW: Line Current Not Equal Request fault	Check the 150A line fuse(s) in the PEM service window and replace as needed.
964			DMC FW: Pilot Signal Present in Drive Mode fault
965			DMC FW: Gear Selector Comms fault
966			DMC FW: Invalid Shift Request Fault
967			DMC FW: Press brake before shifting fault
968			DMC FW: Lost VMS Comms fault
969			DMC FW: Lost DFC Comms fault
970			DMC FW: Lost ABS Comms (and TC) fault
971			DMC FW: CAN Comms Error fault
972			DMC FW: Accelerator Erorr fault
973			DMC FW: Motor Encoder Error fault
974			DMC FW: Pole Current Error Fault
975			DMC FW: ABS Error fault
976			DMC FW: Invalid State fault
977		Car moved while charging – charge stopped.	DMC FW: Moving during charge fault	Got this for trying to change the wheels while charging the car! Spinning front right wheel by hand (after jacking up car) triggered the message.
978			DMC FW: Invalid State request fault
979			DMC FW: Invalid Mode request fault
980			DMC FW: Invalid Charge Request fault
981			DMC FW: Bad State Transition Fault	Dog tripped over charging cable. Discuss. Charger seems to be having troubles. A reset from the chargepoint fixed it.
982			DMC FW: Mode Trans Condition fault
983			DMC FW: Memory Error fault
984			DMC FW: Bad Argument fault
985			DMC FW: Interrupt Time too Long fault
986			DMC FW: MotorTemp Sensor1 fault
987			DMC FW: MotorTemp Sensor2 fault
988			DMC FW: MotorTemp Sensors differ fault
989			DMC FW: VBrickMin Not Increasing
990			DMC FW: Voltage Discharge Time fault
991			DMC FW: 5V Power
992			DMC FW: Lost TCM comms
993			DMC FW: PCS Current Offset Too Large fault
994			DMC FW: Watchdog timer reset fault
995			DMC FW: TCM Refusal fault
996			DMC FW: Unsafe gear transition fault	Press brake before shifting
997			DMC FW: CAN Rx
998			DMC FW: CAN Tx
999			DMC FW: CAN Overrun
1069	Orange		DMC FW: Motor sensor 1 OverTemp warning. Torque limited
1070	Orange		DMC FW: Motor sensor 2 OverTemp warning. Torque limited
1073			DMC FW: PhaseA OverTemp warning. Torque limited
1074			DMC FW: PhaseA Temp Diff warning
1075			DMC FW: PhaseB OverTemp warning. Torque limited
1076			DMC FW: PhaseB Temp Diff warning
1077			DMC FW: PhaseC OverTemp warning. Torque limited
1078			DMC FW: PhaseC Temp Diff warning
1084		External Charger Problem
1087			DMC FW: Line Current or Voltage Offset Too Large warning	PEM fuse(s) blown, needs to be replaced. Can show up incidentally without meaning any trouble.
1092		Do not plug in charge cable while driving		Key left in ignition while trying to plug in?
1095		Press brake pedal before shift.	DMC FW: Press brake before shift.	Press brake pedal and then select a gear.
1103		ABS & Traction Control Problems. Service Required.	?	Pulling out ignition key and waiting until car shutdown (15 minutes) cleared it. Tesla couldn’t find issue.
1121	Orange	Debug-Only Msg	DMC FW: PCS Current Offset Too Large warning
1124		Unsafe Gear Shift Transition Denied		Car moving too fast for gear change drive/reverse
1121	Yellow	Debug-Only Msg	DMC FW: CAN Overrun
1138			Voltage on Charge Port Line2 during drive with charge door open
1144		Powertrain Problem Service Required	DMC PEM Fan Problem	Call your Tesla Shop! Alt: Check your Battery Coolant level (I got this error constantly after over-filling the coolant, once I siphoned a little off the error went away) Probably the PEM/Motor fan needs to be replaced. Also check the connectors or wiring between the fans and the PEM. Could just be a bad contact
1146			DMC Motor Fan Problem	Low fan speed. Only appears in debug mode? Probably the PEM/Motor fan needs to be replaced. Also check the connectors or wiring between the fans and the PEM. Could just be a bad contact [1].
1152		Charge time increased due to high temperatures.	DMC WARNING Charge Thermal Limit	(bonnie) Caused car charging rate to intermittently drop from 70amp to as low as 19amp, did not correlate to outside temp or motor temp – PEM & fans cleaned, believed to be result of massive cloud of insulation on freeway that I drove thru – if you see error, check that out first PEM fans replaced after error 947 received. No further issues.
1153			DMC Wear Factor Warning
1160		Drivers door ajar		Close the door.
1161		Passenger door ajar		Close the door.
1162		Trunk ajar		Close the trunk.
1165		Key in Key Switch Door Ajar		Driver door opened while car is on
1166		Release Parking Brake		Car is driven while parking brake (partially) engaged
1167	blue	Headlights still on
1169		Charge port open		Charge port opened when car is on
1170		Tow Mode is not available while car is on
1174		Fasten Seatbelt		Fasten your seatbelt.
1416		Low Power System Service Required
1426		HVAC: High current pump failure
1452	orange		HVAC: Low pressure
1453		Coolant System Problem Service Required	HVAC: Refrigerant High Pressure
1463		HVAC: overheat warning	HVAC: Compressor OverTemp	HVAC system will pause ~1 minute and continue cooling. Do not charge inside hot garage with closed Garage door. Only appears in debug mode. This problem appeared to me after a yearly service because the HVAC was overfilled. Check HVAC fluid level
1465			HVAC: Low current pump fault
1469			HVAC: Compressor comms timeout
1471			HVAC: Compressor DTC comms timeout
1493	yellow		ESS: Extremely Low. Begin Charging ASAP.
1533			Software Problem Service Required
1553	Red	Software problem, Service required	VMS: VMS firmware version doesn’t match car wide release	Dump log over usb, check flash/messages, for most recent “VMS: VMS restarted” line, compare with VMS version in flash/firmware.rc file
1554	orange		VMS: Not receiving VDS version number	Car can drive but a full RESET is needed: In the front hood pull battery fuse and in the trunk pull the orange ESS Main switch. Then wait 3 minutes.
1664	yellow		PM: Lost VMS comms warning	Blue connector at VMS not plugged in
1900	orange	Communication Problem: Service Required	VMS-VDS comms fault	Happened twice while trying to download logs to USB stick. Went away on third attempt but logs were rejected by Tesla Motors Upload. The USB stick does not seem to be faulty.
1901	blue		N/A	Window with just text “N/A”
2005	yellow		No response to request to stop charging	Car can drive but a full RESET is needed: In the front hood pull battery fuse and in the trunk pull the orange ESS Main switch. Then wait 3 minutes.
2017	yellow		No response to request to change charge mode	Car can drive but a full RESET is needed: In the front hood pull battery fuse and in the trunk pull the orange ESS Main switch. Then wait 3 minutes.
2031	yellow		No response to request to save charging time	Car can drive but a full RESET is needed: In the front hood pull battery fuse and in the trunk pull the orange ESS Main switch. Then wait 3 minutes.
2033	yellow		No response to request to save charge timing	Car can drive but a full RESET is needed: In the front hood pull battery fuse and in the trunk pull the orange ESS Main switch. Then wait 3 minutes.
2035	yellow		No response to request to save current limit	Car can drive but a full RESET is needed: In the front hood pull battery fuse and in the trunk pull the orange ESS Main switch. Then wait 3 minutes./td>
2037	yellow		No response to request to save cost/kWh	Car can drive but a full RESET is needed: In the front hood pull battery fuse and in the trunk pull the orange ESS Main switch. Then wait 3 minutes.
2070	yellow		No response to request to get keyfob function	Car can drive but a full RESET is needed: In the front hood pull battery fuse and in the trunk pull the orange ESS Main switch. Then wait 3 minutes.
2078	yellow	There was a problem processing your request	No response to request to enter Tow Mode	Car can drive but a full RESET is needed: In the front hood pull battery fuse and in the trunk pull the orange ESS Main switch. Then wait 3 minutes.
2096	yellow		No response to Pin submission	Car can drive but a full RESET is needed: In the front hood pull battery fuse and in the trunk pull the orange ESS Main switch. Then wait 3 minutes.
3001			SHFT: APS Voltage	?
3011		Drive Button Failure Vehicle May not be Able to Enter Drive
3021			SHFT: Neutral switch Stuck Down
3022			SHFT: DRIVE switch Stuck Down