The TCAM (Telematics and Connectivity Antenna Module) is the single component responsible for all cellular connectivity in the Polestar 2. It handles the car's connection to the Polestar app, remote commands (lock/unlock, preconditioning), OTA software update downloads, the in-car WiFi hotspot, Google services connectivity, and Digital Key (Phone As Key) pairing. When the TCAM has problems, a surprising number of seemingly unrelated features stop working.
Where Is the TCAM Located?
The TCAM is mounted to the roof panel, behind the headliner, roughly above the rear seats. According to VIDA operation 39744-2, accessing it requires lowering the headliner — but the headliner does not need to be fully removed from the vehicle. The module is a flat rectangular metal box bolted to the roof structure with four connectors (antenna cables and data/power harness).
To remove the TCAM, you lower the headliner to a suitable height, disconnect the four connectors, release the locking mechanism (using a flat-blade tool to push in the lock tab), and slide the module out. Installation is the reverse. If installing a new TCAM, the module must be flashed with the latest software via VIDA.
The TCAM Backup Battery
The TCAM has its own dedicated backup battery, separate from the car's 12V battery. This allows the TCAM to maintain connectivity and respond to remote commands even when the main 12V system is in a deep sleep state — it's what allows the Polestar app to wake the car.
The backup battery is located in the rear of the car, behind the left (driver's side) C-pillar trim panel in the cargo area. To access it:
- 1.Remove the rear cargo shelf panel
- 2.Fold down or remove the rear seat backs
- 3.Remove the left C-pillar trim panel (one screw at 4.5 Nm torque, plus retaining clips — note the graphic in the VIDA procedure shows the back of the panel before removal, with 4 clip locations)
- 4.Remove the inner trim piece to expose the backup battery area
- 5.Fold the carpet aside
- 6.Loosen the battery retainer, disconnect the connector, and remove the battery
To install, reverse the removal procedure. This backup battery can degrade over time and is a potential root cause for intermittent connectivity issues that don't respond to TCAM resets.
Common Symptoms
- Polestar app shows car as "offline" or "unavailable"
- Remote commands (lock, climate) fail or take minutes to execute
- OTA updates fail to download
- Google services in the car intermittently disconnect
- WiFi hotspot does not work
- Digital Key (Phone As Key) won't pair or stops working
- Signal indicator at the top left of the center display shows a blank "x"
The Reboot Loop Defect (TJ 36260)
This is the most serious known TCAM issue. Polestar documented it in Technical Journal TJ 36260.1.2, issued May 2022.
Affected vehicles: Only cars with TCAM hardware part number 32364074, specifically 2022 model year cars built during weeks 202149 through 202212 (roughly December 2021 to March 2022).
What happens: The TCAM enters a state where it continuously reboots itself in a loop. Symptoms include VIDA cycling between connected (green) and disconnected (red) every 40-60 seconds, the vehicle/VIN not appearing in VIDA, the TCAM appearing stuck in Programming Mode, and no internet connectivity for the customer.
Critical warning: Do NOT perform any type of factory reset once this state occurs. Specifically, avoid the in-car Settings menu Factory Reset, the VIDA "TCAM Reset" diagnostic sequence, and the TCAM Backup Battery charging sequence (which prompts to reset the TCAM). Any of these will make recovery impossible.
The fix: Preventive software was released in Total Upgrade, PDS Upgrade, and Service 2.0 packages as of May 17, 2022, with an OTA push starting May 25, 2022. However, once a TCAM enters the reboot loop state, it cannot be recovered — the module must be physically replaced. Replacement TCAMs receive the updated software during the reload procedure. The repair is VST Operation 39744-2 (1.9 hours labor).
How to check your hardware part number: You can find it in VIDA under Diagnostics > Components > TCAM > ECU Identification tab. If you can't connect, check the most recent vehicle readout under Vehicle Details > Hardware and Software, and look for the TCAM row.
Never Swap TCAMs Between Vehicles (TJ 35866)
Polestar Technical Journal TJ 35866.2.0 makes this explicit: swapping TCAMs between cars for diagnostic purposes is strictly forbidden unless instructed and guided by the Polestar Technical Operations team.
The reason is that each TCAM is paired to its vehicle's identity and connectivity certificates. Swapping TCAMs between cars can result in a permanent loss of connectivity functions for one or both vehicles. Even worse, installing and then removing a new TCAM can permanently damage that module's ability to function in any car it's subsequently installed in.
If a service center proposes swapping your TCAM with another vehicle's to diagnose an issue, refuse — this is against Polestar's own technical guidance.
Factory Reset Caution (TJ 36536)
Before performing any IHU Factory Reset or VIDA IHU/TCAM Reset, the vehicle must be running software version v2.5 or newer. If it's on an older version, a total upgrade must be performed first (per TJ 31543). Performing a reset on older software can cause additional problems.
Digital Key and the TCAM (TJ 35930)
The Digital Key feature (Phone As Key) relies directly on the TCAM. The PAKM (Phone As Key Module) pairing is done automatically during the ordinary TCAM pairing process — the user just needs to accept the extra pairing prompt on their phone.
If Digital Key pairing fails, the service procedure involves performing a TCAM RELOAD (Software Part Number 32279834), answering "YES" to reinstall the entire ECU. This is a dealer-level operation requiring VIDA.
Quick Fixes for Everyday Connectivity Issues
- 1.TCAM reset. Hold the front-center button on the steering wheel for 20+ seconds. This forces a TCAM reboot without affecting other car systems. This is the single most effective fix for intermittent issues.
- 2.Full system reboot. Hold both steering wheel buttons simultaneously for 15+ seconds if the TCAM reset doesn't help.
- 3.Check for updates. Polestar has released multiple TCAM firmware updates across several OTA releases. Make sure you're current.
- 4.Service center reflash. If problems persist, a service center can perform a TCAM RELOAD through VIDA, which is more thorough than a button reset.
- 5.Backup battery check. If you experience intermittent connectivity especially after the car has been parked for extended periods, the TCAM backup battery may need inspection or replacement.
Which Model Years Are Affected
All model years (2021-2025) can experience general TCAM connectivity issues. The reboot loop defect (TJ 36260) is specific to 2022 cars built between December 2021 and March 2022 with hardware part 32364074. Polestar updated the TCAM hardware and firmware starting mid-2022, and subsequent OTA updates have addressed many of the software-side problems.