SB-18-44-010

R2

Tesla, Inc.

January 25, 2019

Service Bulletin

Replace Charge Port Pin Deadfronts
Classification

Campaign Bulletin

Section/Group

44 - High
Voltage System

Country/Region

United States,
Canada

Year

All

Model

Model 3

Version

All

Bulletin Classification: This campaign bulletin addresses a known non-safety-related condition and provides
recommended technical diagnosis and repair procedures. Apply this procedure to all vehicles in the affected VIN range
listed. These instructions assume knowledge of motor vehicle and high voltage electrical component repairs, and should
only be executed by trained professionals. Tesla assumes no liability for injury or property damage due to a failure to
properly follow these instructions or repairs attempted by unqualified individuals.
This Service Document supersedes SB-18-44-010 R1, dated 23-Jan-2019. Each content change is marked by a vertical
line in the left margin. Discard the previous version and replace it with this one.

Condition
On certain Model 3 vehicles, the charge port power terminals have pin deadfronts that might become dislodged from the
terminals, causing the charge handle to not fully connect to the vehicle and therefore preventing the High Voltage (HV)
battery from charging.

Correction
Replace the charge port pin deadfronts with updated parts.

Correction Description

Correction

Time

SB-18-44-010 Not Applicable

S011844010

0.00

Replace Charge Port Pin Deadfronts With Updated Parts

S021844010

0.20

Required Part(s): Part Number
1470434-00-C

Description
DEADFRONT,PIN,CP,M3,SERVICE

Quantity
2

Shop supplies:
HV insulating gloves and leather protectors
Safety glasses
These part numbers were current at the time of publication. Use the revisions listed or later,
unless otherwise specified in the Parts Manual.
Special Tool(s):

SB-18-44-010

1076921-00-A
1130480-00-A

Insulation Multimeter, Fluke 1507
Test Probes, Slim, Fluke TP38

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WARNING: Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and HV insulating gloves with a minimum rating of class 0
(1000V) must be worn any time high voltage might be present. Refer to TN-15-92-003, “High Voltage Awareness Care
Points” for additional safety information.
WARNING: Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is required to perform this procedure:
•
•
•
•
•

High voltage insulating gloves
Leather glove protectors
High voltage glove tester
Safety glasses
Electrical hazard rated safety shoes

WARNING: Make sure that the HV gloves are not expired. HV gloves can be used up to 12 months after the testing
date printed on the glove, but only 6 months after first use even if the gloves are still within the 12-month period.
WARNING: A glove inflator is the only recommended way to test HV gloves. Both HV gloves must pass testing before
beginning this procedure. If either glove does not pass the air check, discard the pair.

Procedure
1. Open the charge port door.
2. Disconnect 12V power (refer to Service Manual procedure 17010200).
3. Put on the safety glasses, HV insulating gloves, and leather glove protectors.

SB-18-44-010

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4. Use a multimeter with slim test probes to check voltages at the charge port terminals:
•
•
•

Charge port terminals B+ and B- (Figure 1)
Charge port terminal B+ and ground (Figure 2)
Charge port terminal B- and ground (Figure 3)

NOTE: Clip the multimeter ground connector to the LH rear door latch striker when checking for voltage at the charge port
terminals and ground (Figure 4).
WARNING: If the voltage reading is greater than 10V, the HV battery contactors are closed or welded. Stop this
procedure and escalate a Toolbox session, as appropriate.

SB-18-44-010

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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5. Inspect the charge port for any broken or dislodged pin deadfronts and remove them with needle nose pliers (Figure
5).

Figure 5 (Dislodged pin deadfront at lower right)
6. Remove the front and rear charge port pin deadfronts from the charge port assembly by carefully grabbing each
deadfront with needle nose pliers, and then pull each deadfront to remove it from the charge port assembly (Figure 6).

Figure 6
7. Clean any leftover pin deadfront debris from the charge port assembly with an ESD-safe vacuum.

SB-18-44-010

Page 4 of 5

8. Insert a new charge port pin deadfront onto a 3 mm hex bit socket, and then use a socket extension to push the
deadfront into a charge port assembly power terminal until it is fully seated (Figure 7).
CAUTION: Make sure that the pin deadfront is fully seated in the terminal.

Figure 7
9. Repeat step 8 for the other pin deadfront and power terminal.
10. Reconnect 12V power (refer to Service Manual procedure 17010200).
11. Verify that the vehicle charges normally.

Affected VIN(s)

Affected Model 3 vehicles built before approximately November 6, 2018.
NOTE: This is a simplified summary of the affected VIN list. Refer to the VIN/Bulletin Tracker or
Customer/Vehicle profile to determine applicability of this bulletin for a particular vehicle.

For feedback on the accuracy of this document, email ServiceBulletinFeedback@tesla.com.

SB-18-44-010

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