Compressor and Condenser Pair (Remove and Replace)
Correction code 18203402 NOTE: Unless otherwise explicitly stated in the procedure, the above correction code and FRT reflect all of the work required to perform this procedure, including the linked procedures. Do not stack correction codes unless explicitly told to do so. NOTE: See to learn more about FRTs and how they are created. To provide feedback on FRT values, email ServiceManualFeedback@tesla.com. NOTE: See Personal Protection to make sure wearing proper PPE when performing the below procedure. See Ergonomic Precautions for safe and healthy working practices.
- 2025-04-09: Added step to perform firmware reinstall or update for vehicles built after April 10, 2016.
Removal
- Prepare the vehicle for lifting. See Raise Vehicle - 2 Post Lift.
- Loosen the LH and RH front wheel lug nuts.
- Recover the refrigerant from the vehicle. See A/C Refrigerant Recovery and Recharge (Remove and Replace).
- Remove the underhood storage unit. See Underhood Storage Unit (Remove and Install).
- Disconnect 12V power. See Disconnect 12V Power.
- Perform the vehicle HV disablement procedure. See Vehicle HV Disablement Procedure.
- Remove the LH and RH front wheels.
-
Remove LH front louver assembly
Note2x bolts, 10mm, 1x nut, 10mm, 12x push clips. Number of clips may vary. Release 2x edge clips if equipped with Continental TPMS retrofit.
-
Remove push clip from LH front wheel
liner and peel back for access
Note1x push clip, if equipped
-
Remove the RH louver assembly
Note2x bolts, 10mm, 1x nut, 10mm, 12x push clips. Number of clips may vary. Release 2x edge clips if equipped with Continental TPMS retrofit.
-
Remove the push clip from RH front
wheel liner and peel back for access.
Note1x push clip, if equipped.
- Remove the front aero shield panel. See Panel - Aero Shield - Front (Remove and Replace).
-
Remove the front bash plate
extrusion.
Note2x bolts, T30, 16 Nm.
-
Remove the bash plate lower
stamping.
Note2x bolts, 10mm, 9 Nm.
-
Remove the front four HV battery
bolts.
Note4x patch bolts, 13mm, 30 Nm. Discard after removal.
-
Remove the 21mm bolts that attach the
front of the HV battery.
Note2x bolts, 21mm, 115 Nm. Discard after removal.
-
Remove the skid plate from between the
HV Battery and the front subframe.
NoteSlowly pry bash plate out to ease removal.
-
Remove the nuts (x3) that attach the
A/C compressor assembly to the subframe.
- Lower the vehicle.
-
Release the bolt that attaches the
ground strap to the compressor.
-
Disconnect the low voltage connector
from the A/C compressor.
-
Disconnect the HV connector from the
A/C compressor.
-
Remove the bolts (x2) that attach the
A/C lines to the compressor.
NoteDiscard the O-rings.
-
Remove the A/C compressor and bracket
assembly from the vehicle.
-
Remove the bolts (x2) that attach the
A/C compressor to the inner bracket.
-
Weigh the old compressor.
- Record the weight of the old compressor.
-
Weigh the new compressor.
- Record the weight of the new compressor.
-
Add or drain oil to/from the new
compressor so that it matches the weight of the old compressor.
NoteTurn the new compressor upside down to drain a small amount of oil from the suction port (large port) into a clean, dry container, and then re-weigh the new compressor. Repeat this process until the new compressor weighs the same as the old one.
-
Install the bolts that attach the A/C
compressor to the inner bracket (torque 24 Nm).
-
Place A/C compressor and bracket
assembly into the vehicle
-
Install the bolts that attach the A/C
lines to the compressor (torque 10 Nm).
NoteInstall new O-rings and lubricate them with ND-11 oil.
-
Connect the HV connector to the A/C
compressor.
-
Connect the low voltage connector to
the A/C compressor.
-
Attach the bolt that attaches the
ground strap to the A/C compressor (torque 9 Nm).
-
Disconnect the LH condenser fan motor
connector.
-
Remove the nuts (x2) that attach the
A/C lines to the LH condenser.
NoteDiscard the O-rings
-
Remove the screws (x4) that attach the
LH condenser assembly
-
Remove the LH condenser assembly from
the vehicle.
NotePull the bottom to the rear, release condenser from upper support brackets, and the slide condenser assembly down.
-
Remove the bolts (x4) that attach the
LH condenser to the fan motor assembly
-
Disconnect the RH condenser fan motor
connector.
-
Remove the nuts (x2) that attach the
A/C lines to the RH condenser.
NoteDiscard the O-rings.
-
Remove the screws (x4) that attach the
RH condenser assembly.
-
Remove the RH condenser assembly from
the vehicle.
NotePull bottom to the rear, release from upper support brackets, and then slide down condenser assembly.
-
Remove the bolts (x4) that attach the
RH condenser to the fan motor assembly.
Installation
-
Install the bolts (x4) that attach the
RH condenser to the fan motor assembly (torque 6 Nm).
-
Position the condenser assembly onto
the upper and lower support brackets on the vehicle.
-
Install the screws (x4) that attach
the RH condenser assembly (torque 3 Nm).
-
Install the nuts (x2) that attach the
A/C lines to the RH condenser (8 Nm).
NoteInstall new O-rings and lubricate them with ND-11 oil.
-
Connect the RH condenser fan motor
connector.
-
Install the bolts (x4) that attach the
LH condenser to the fan motor assembly (torque 6 Nm).
-
Position the condenser assembly onto
the upper and lower support brackets on the vehicle.
-
Install the screws (x4) that attach
the LH condenser assembly (torque 3 Nm).
-
Install the nuts (x2) that attach the
A/C lines to the LH condenser (torque 8 Nm).
NoteInstall new O-rings and lubricate them with ND-11 oil.
-
Connect the LH condenser fan motor
connector.
-
Install the bolts (x2, torque 3 Nm),
nut (x1, torque 4 Nm) and push clips (x12) that attach the LH front louver
assembly.
NoteNumber of clips may vary. Also attach the 2 edge clips if the vehicle is equipped with Continental TPMS retrofit.
-
Position the LH front wheel liner and
install the push clip, if equipped.
- Install the LH front wheel.
-
Install the bolts (x2, torque 3 Nm), nut (x1, torque 4 Nm) and push clips (x12) that
attach the LH front louver assembly.
NoteNumber of push clips may vary. Attach the 2 edge clips if the vehicle is equipped with Continental TPMS retrofit.
-
Position the RH front wheel liner and
install the push clip, if equipped.
- Install the LH and RH front wheels.
-
Install the nuts (x4) that attach the
A/C compressor to the subframe (torque 10 Nm).
-
Install the skid plate between HV
Battery and the front subframe.
-
Install the 21mm bolts (x2) at the
front of the HV battery (torque 115 Nm).
-
Install new bolts (x4) that attach the
HV battery to the skid plate and front subframe (torque 30 Nm).
-
Install the bolts (x2) that attach the
bash plate stamping and skid plate to the front subframe (torque 9 Nm).
-
Install the bolts (x2) that attach the
front bash plate extrusion (torque 16 Nm).
- Install the front aero shield panel. See Panel - Aero Shield - Front (Remove and Replace).
- Lower the vehicle until the tires are touching the floor.
- Torque the LH and RH front wheel lug nuts to 175 Nm.
- Connect 12V power. See Disconnect 12V Power.
-
Reinstall the latest
vehicle firmware, or update the firmware if not the latest. See Firmware Reinstall - Touchscreen or Firmware Update.
NoteThis step is only required for vehicles built after April 10, 2016.
- Perform an A/C system vacuum test and recharge the A/C refrigerant. See A/C Refrigerant Recovery and Recharge (Remove and Replace)
-
Install the front HVAC filter
housing.
Note2x tabs
-
Install the bolts (x2) that attach the
front HVAC filter housing (torque 1.5 Nm).
-
Attach the RH side of the cowl screen
panel and cabin filter cover.
Note2xx tabs, 2x push clips. Release cowl from the strut.
- Install the underhood storage unit. See Underhood Storage Unit (Remove and Install).
- Install the underhood aprons.
-
Perform the following
routine using Service Mode or Toolbox (see 0005 - Service Modes):
PROC_VCFRONT_X_STOP-THERMAL-FILL-DRAINvia Toolbox: (link)via Service Mode:
- Thermal ➜ Actions ➜ Stop Thermal Fill/Drain
- Thermal ➜ Coolant System ➜ Stop Coolant Fill/Drain
- Thermal ➜ Refrigerant System ➜ Stop Refrigerant Fill/Drain
- Drive Inverter ➜ Front Drive Inverter Replacement ➜ Stop Fluid Fill/Drain
- Drive Inverter ➜ Rear Drive Inverter Replacement ➜ Stop Fluid Fill/Drain
- Drive Inverter ➜ Rear Left Drive Inverter Replacement ➜ Stop Fluid Fill/Drain
- Drive Inverter ➜ Rear Right Drive Inverter Replacement ➜ Stop Fluid Fill/Drain
- Drive Unit ➜ Front Drive Unit Replacement ➜ Stop Coolant Fill/Drain
- Drive Unit ➜ Rear Drive Unit Replacement ➜ Stop Coolant Fill/Drain
- Perform the following routine using Service Mode or Toolbox (see 0005 - Service Modes): PROC_THC_X_THERMAL-TESTvia Toolbox: (link)
- Perform the following routine using Service Mode or Toolbox (see 0005 - Service Modes): PROC_ICE_X_EXIT-SERVICE-MODEvia Toolbox: (link).
- Test the A/C functions in the vehicle to ensure that the cabin cooling system functions as designed.