Tesla Roadster

PEM Fan Connector Upgrade

The Power Electronics Modules (PEM) in a 2.x Tesla Roadster relies on a 12 Volt DC brush motor squirrel cage fan to cool IGBT (Power Transistor) heat sinks, to maintain safe operating temperatures in the power output section of the inverter.

This SPAL brand fan assembly is a fairly low tech device, equipped with brushes that wear down, shaft bearings that wear, and no built-in tachometer often inserted in more critical cooling fans.

Roadster firmware relies on current sensing to gauge fan operation, and as this part wears, it begins to operate outside expected current thresholds, eventually throwing PEM cooling errors.

(There are other conditions that can cause PEM cooling errors – failure to perform routine PEM cleaning, failing cooling system ducting, and connector issues.)

When combined with marginal and underrated fan cable connectors, this is one of the common failure points in a Roadster.

We recommend replacement of this vital cooling portion of the Roadster drive train every 5 years, along with a connector/socket replacement.

Replacing connectors along with the fan

PEM Fan autopsy reveals common failure points

Fan Housing Brush Residue

Commutator Brush Wear

Shaft Bearings Wear Out

Tesla Service Center

Gruber Motor Company is an independent Electric Vehicle Service Center specializing in Tesla vehicles, with extensive experience in the diagnostics, repair, maintenance, and restoration of Tesla electric vehicles.

As electric vehicles continue to transform the automotive industry, servicing them requires a new kind of expertise. Today’s advanced EV service centers increasingly combine traditional automotive repair with the capabilities of an electronics and engineering laboratory. Gruber Motor Company brings decades of experience servicing critical power systems, high-voltage electronics, battery systems, and power conversion equipment—technologies that share many of the same fundamentals found in modern electric vehicles.

Operating from our 18,000-square-foot service facility in Phoenix, Arizona, our engineers and technicians provide advanced EV diagnostics and repair while maintaining the personalized customer service of a traditional specialty automotive shop. We are particularly known for our expertise with the original Tesla Roadster, including battery systems, power electronics, diagnostics, component repair, restoration, and vehicle preservation.

In addition to specialized Tesla and EV services, Gruber Motor Company provides complete automotive support, including tires, brakes, suspension service, detailing, paint correction, powder coating, paint protection film (clear bra), cosmetic restoration, and vehicle upgrades.

Whether your Tesla requires routine maintenance, advanced electrical diagnostics, battery or power-electronics repair, or a comprehensive restoration, our goal is simple: provide knowledgeable service, clear communication, and solutions that keep these pioneering electric vehicles on the road.

We are proud of our EV Service Center of the Future

Our EV Lab is where Software and Electronics repairs take place

Gruber Motor Company
203 West Lone Cactus
Phoenix, Arizona 85027
EV@GRUBER>COM

602-863-2655 X500

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