Drive Inverter — Power Converter Irrational Reading
The TESLA-DI_A116 (Tesla DI (Drive Inverter) Controller) EV fault code means: Drive Inverter — Power Converter Irrational Reading. This is a serious severity code.
- Keep driving?
- Short distances only
- DIY difficulty
- moderate
- Estimated cost
- $0-$150 DIY for coolant flush and refill or hose replacement. Pro diagnosis at an independent EV shop runs $100-$200 for a coolant system inspection. Drive unit replacement if internals are damaged runs $3,000-$8,000 depending on model and whether the unit is remanufactured.
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Common Symptoms
- Alert DI_A116 shown on the touchscreen
- The vehicle may log the alert without any change the driver notices
Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)
- The vehicle reported DI_A116. Tesla's firmware identifies this alert as "DI_a116_powerConvIrrational" — the drive inverter reporting an implausible value from the power converter. High
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DI_A116 mean?
Drive Inverter — Power Converter Irrational Reading. Tesla's firmware identifies it as "DI_a116_powerConvIrrational".
Can a generic OBD2 scanner read this?
No. Tesla alerts are a manufacturer-specific system and appear in no SAE standard, so a generic OBD-II scan tool cannot read or clear them. The alert text on the touchscreen and the Tesla app are the authoritative sources.
Mechanics Guide Step-by-step diagnosis
Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure
Read the alert text on the touchscreen exactly as shown — Tesla's own wording is more specific than any third-party list, this page included.
Check for a Tesla service bulletin or a pending software update; a number of alerts clear on their own after an over-the-air update.
If the alert persists, request service through the Tesla app. Tesla alerts are not standard OBD-II codes and a generic scan tool will not read or clear them.
Sources 1
This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.
- Tesla alert dictionary (canonical firmware alert identifiers)community-maintained dictionary, not an official manufacturer document
Commonly Affected Vehicles
- Tesla Model 3 (Performance) -- highest occurrence due to frequent track and launch use
- Tesla Model S (Plaid) -- tri-motor thermal load during sustained high output
- Tesla Model Y (LR AWD) -- appears during repeated mountain passes and towing in heat
- Tesla Model X (LR, Plaid) -- heavier vehicle mass increases sustained load thermal stress
- Tesla Model 3 (Long Range AWD) -- common on older builds with higher mileage coolant
- Tesla Cybertruck (AWD, Cyberbeast) -- early reports during towing in high ambient temperatures
- Tesla Model S (LR) -- less frequent but seen after sustained highway passes in summer
Related Codes
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