1.5 Series Cooling Fans

Tesla Roadster (1.5) — PEM & Drive Motor Coolant Fan Pair

Keep your Roadster’s power electronics and motor in their safe operating window with a matched pair of 12 V DC squirrel-cage cooling fans—one for the PEM (inverter/IGBT heat-sink) and one for the drive motor (underbody mount).
This is the correct configuration for Roadster 1.5 vehicles, which use brush-type SPAL fans and current-sensing firmware (no tach feedback) to confirm operation.

Why replace these fans

• Brush & bearing wear — SPAL brush motors are consumable; as brushes/shafts wear, current draw drifts and airflow falls.
• PEM firmware monitoring — The PEM watches current to infer fan health. Worn fans can exceed thresholds and trigger PEM cooling errors before failure.
• Thermal safety — Proper airflow is critical for the IGBT heat sinks in the PEM and for the drive motor, especially in hot climates or spirited use.

Recommended service interval

• Every 5 years (earlier in hot/dusty environments or high-duty use).
• Replace both fans together to restore balanced airflow and consistent current signatures.

What’s included

• (1) PEM cooling fan assembly — direct fit for Roadster 1.5 PEM.
• (1) Drive motor cooling fan assembly — underbody mount, plug-compatible.
• New mounting hardware/connectors as required (when applicable).

Key details

Symptoms of fans due for replacement

• Intermittent PEM cooling errors / “PEM Fan” alerts
• Audible bearing noise, scraping, or startup hesitation
• Elevated PEM or motor temps under normal driving
• Visible brush dust or reduced airflow

Installation notes

• PEM fan is inside the inverter housing — observe ESD and HV safety; clean the PEM before reassembly.
• Motor fan is chassis-mounted below the PEM — verify shroud alignment and connector seating.
• After install, check current draw and perform a short thermal/airflow verification drive.