2013 Tesla Model S Cabin Heater PTC Fuse Replacement in DC DC Converter

Important safety mistake - I used a voltage detector that only detects AC, and this area of the vehicle is all DC! Use a different method to check for voltage.

The cabin heater on my January 2013 Tesla Model S suddenly stopped working a week or so ago, in the cold New England Winter. When that happens, Tesla usually wants to replace the cabin heater core (PTC), the DC/DC Converter (where the fuse to the heater is located), or both. After speaking with many people who have had the same issue, it sounds like the fuse often blows for no clear reason and replacing it can usually get the heater working again.

After watching some very helpful other videos here on the topic, such as:

Electrified Garage:    • Electrified Garage: 2012 to 2014 MS R...  
and
Greg Furstenwerth:    • DC to DC Converter  

and talking to some experienced owners at teslamotorsclub forums, I decided to go for it. For $17 for the fuse on Amazon, $30 for the tube of liquid gasket, and a few hours of work, I was able to get my heater working again. Temporarily? We will see.

I am certainly an Unqualified Mechanic, so please do what the internet is good at, and use the comment section to let me know all of the things I said or did that were wrong.

Important safety mistake - I used a voltage detector that only detects AC, and this area of the vehicle is all DC! Use a different method to check for voltage.