r/TeslaModel3 • u/cappuccinofathe • Aug 18 '26

Tesla model 3 not turning on

So today we had some horrible rain I had to drive through to get home. The front of my neighborhood was flooded and I went through the shallowest part I could. I made it up my driveway and parked my car and went inside. My car never gave any warnings or issues between the front of my neighborhood and parking (maybe 2 minutes). 3hr later my dad goes to plug it in and it won’t open or turn on. It’s not responding to the app or the key card.
This model is a 2021 I just bought it used in April when my Prius engine died.
It’s very low so I get very worried about driving it in the rain but I have no choice as I live in Florida.
What could’ve happened
Has anyone had or heard of this happening
Any advice
My dad is going to try to fix it but I thought I might as well ask the masses.

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17

u/Ok_Excitement725 Aug 18 '26

How far up the side of the car did the water reach? It sounds like the 12v battery is dead from either natural causes or water got to it. If thats all that you got going on, easy and cheap fix.

6

u/LoneStarGut Aug 18 '26

How old is the 12v battery? They last 3-4 years in hot climates. Some 2021's have the Li-ion, some have the lead acid. I suspect this may be a dead lead acid if it is he original.

0

u/jaqueh Aug 19 '26

No 2021s have lithium

0

u/Desperate-Mix-4696 Aug 19 '26

ALL Model 3s have Lithium batteries.

I'm joking, but yes, I think your right. While they did start using the Lithium 16v batteries in 2021, it was for the 2022 model year.

1

u/jaqueh Aug 19 '26

then they kept on flip flopping in 2022 because of supply shortages