eMMC Repair Model S or X (for MCU1)

Repair for the central computer (MCU1) of Tesla Model S and X

Your Tesla Model S or X built before February 2018 has a first-generation computer (called MCU1) behind the center screen. This computer contains an 8GB memory chip. The complete software of the computer is on this chip, and all kinds of data is read from and written to it. This is the eMMC chip. This chip can be compared to the memory chips on USB drives and SD cards. However, if you write a lot of data to and from these chips, they will eventually break. The question is not whether they will break, but when they will break. Unfortunately, that will also happen with your Tesla Model S or X.

When will that happen? That depends on the amount of data that is written back and forth. In most cars, the problems start after about 4 years and above 150,000 km. The problems that can arise are:

• Spontaneous reboots
• System crashes during Spotify
• Frequent "waiting for systems to start"
• Strange behavior of the central screen
• Black screen
• kmh/ mph mix up
• etc. etc.

If you have one of these problems, there is a good chance that your eMMC is already partially broken. The problem is that the memory chip is dropping stitches, and bits are no longer being stored here and there. Gaps appear in the software, causing these problems. In this case, it is wise to have a repair (eMMC replacement) carried out by us quickly. Why quickly? Because if you wait, the gaps in the software will become larger, or the chip will stop working altogether. In that case, there is a chance that we will no longer be able to read some of the necessary data. (read more below)

Repair by Tesla?

If your Model S or X is not yet 4 years old and you have driven less than 80,000 km, your car still has a factory warranty from Tesla, and they will repair your car free of charge. At Tesla, they will replace your complete MCU with a new, or refurbished, one of the same type, with the same eMMC chip. This means that in a few years you will have a very high chance of the same problems again.

If your car is no longer under warranty because it is older than 4 years or because you have driven more than 80,000 km, you will pay between €2000 and €2500 at Tesla for this repair. Therefore, outside the warranty, it is best to contact us to avoid these high costs.

At the moment, it is not yet possible to have the MCU1 replaced with an MCU2 in Europe. If you have any questions about this, it is best to ask the service department at Tesla.

Repair at Tesland

In this case, we remove your central computer, and then read the software on the workbench. The software is then restored and placed back on a brand new chip with much more memory. Because the software is restored, these gaps are closed again, and the problem is solved. Because our chip has much more memory, it will also last 7 to 10 times longer than the chip we replace.

When reading, there are a few files that are important. These are to ensure that you have access to your car with the app, and the other file is to ensure that the car can receive updates from Tesla again. It is therefore very important to read your eMMC chip quickly at the first complaints in order to safeguard these files.

In some cases, the chip is so broken that it can no longer be read, and therefore the above-mentioned few files are no longer available, there are then 2 options:

1. a) We repair the software without these 2 files. You can then just drive and do everything with the car. However, you will no longer have app access and the car will not receive updates. Or,
2. b) We send the defective chip to a data recovery company. In 90% of cases, they can retrieve the important data. However, their rate is €350, - and that is in addition to our rate.

We will find out fairly quickly what the state of your eMMC chip is. You always have the option to cancel the repair, and in that case we will put everything back, and you will get the car back in the same condition as it was brought in. You only pay the costs for removing and installing the MCU. That is €225,-

We always do this in consultation with you.