Stuck in parking garage! Won’t start. “Stop safely now”.

[1Wheelrider]

S.O.S. for ideas. My AWD mach-e has been stuck on the top level of the parking garage at my work going on three-days now. Tuesday came out to drive home, pressing the brake and power did not get the vehicle started. Instead get the warning “stop safely now” and “Full accessory power active“. Basically just enough power to open the doors and windows and use radio. The main battery is charged at 70%, But unable to power on car and unable to shift out of park. AAA Came out and tried to jumpstart the 12V with a portable pack, but no change, still wont start… says it will need to be towed. next two days I’ve been trying to get a tow truck from Ford roadside assistance and from AAA. Problem is, will need to be on a flatbed or dolly. Can’t shift out of park and can’t tow an all-wheel drive. Clearance of the garage structure is 6‘6“. Even a tow truck with a lift dolly trailer is not able to get into the garage with that low clearance. Such low profile truck may apparently not exist (even in LA/Downey, CA area). AAA and Ford roadside assistance could get a company to put it onto a dolly or a flatbed if weren’t in the garage. I think at this point a Ford service technician needs to come to the site to troubleshoot and get the vehicle started inside the garage to drive out. Ford roadside assistance says that dealers can’t and won’t do that. Let the lesson be: Don’t park your Mach-e in a garage structure. You might never get it back out.

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[JoeDimwit]

what is the voltage on the LVB? Have you tried disconnecting the LVB for 30 minutes, then reconnecting it? You could try putting a 12v battery in the frunk and connecting it to the LVB via jumper cables to get the car into emergency tow mode to get it out where they can pick it up if the LVB is low. Other than that, I don’t know.

 

[Prodigymd]

Jump start it while plugged in to charge. It’ll work. Happened to my car!

 

[JoeDimwit]

@Ford Motor Company , this seems like something you might be able to help out with, maybe?

 

[JoeDimwit]

Jump start it while plugged in to charge. It’ll work. Happened to my car!

did that work with level 1 charging, or level 2?

 

[Prodigymd]

Level 2. But I suppose level 1 may work too

 

[SnBGC]

Pickup truck towing an auto transport trailer?

 

[JoeDimwit]

Level 2. But I suppose level 1 may work too

I asked because where he is, level 2 may be difficult to run.

 

[Woeo]

I used to watch a repo-man who had a YouTube channel. He had a stealth “tow truck” that did not look much different than a normal pick-up. Instead of a typical hook it only had a low slung hydraulic T-apparatus at the rear that, with the wings folded, could slide under a car, unfold the T tight to the tire at ground level, allowing him to lift the vehicle without touching metal. Without going into all the steps he would use dollies for the second set of wheels.

This style of “tow” truck could work with the limits of height imposed by a garage. The tow/repo community could probably help you find some one with that sort of rig.




https://images.app.goo.gl/DNrGLEwngQMu8cRz9

 

[JoeDimwit]

I used to watch a repo-man who had a YouTube channel. He had a stealth “tow truck” that did not look much different than a normal
pick-up. Instead of a typical hook it only had a low slung hydraulic T-apparatus at the rear that, with the wings folded, could slide under a car, unfold the T tight to the tire at ground level, allowing him to lift the vehicle without touching metal. Without going into all the steps he would use dollies for the second set of wheels.

This style of “tow” truck could work with the limits of height imposed by a garage. The tow/repo community could probably. Help you find some one with that sort of rig.



https://images.app.goo.gl/DNrGLEwngQMu8cRz9

Which might work on a rwd vehicle, but might further damage an awd vehicle.

 

[Motomax]

I would double check the 12v battery for proper voltage first. If you can get it in tow mode and steering works just flat tow it out with a strap.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Can a regular tow truck get in there? If so have them tow you out of the garage and switch to a flatbed there. You'll need to get into emergency tow mode and that's limited to 20 (???) miles but out of the garage might work.

 

[Woeo]

Which might work on a rwd vehicle, but might further damage an awd vehicle.

I said he would (one could) use dollies for the second set of wheels.

OP, Repo-men, and I understand the issues with AWD, not just you.

 

[1Wheelrider]

Thanks Team for the quick replies. First of all, I had no idea about the “emergency tow mode”. The five tow trucks that have come here over the last few days, the Ford dealer service, and Ford roadside assistace did not think to suggest that either. I just now tried it and I’m able to get into neutral now! That’s progress! So Tow mode might work to carefully roll it down the levels of the parking garage in neutral, perhaps guided with a strap from behind down the ramps, and the flat tow forward on the flats. Hopefully the brakes and steering wheel work. I Will call for assistance on that one. Then once at ground level can be put onto a flatbed. I also like the idea of trying to jump while plugged in charging, but unfortunately no charging is nearby this parking. Thanks for these ideas!

 

[Mach-Lee]

Wow, yes keep us posted on what happens!

Definitely try jumping the 12V off another running vehicle with traditional jumper cables direct to the 12V terminals, not just a portable power pack since they are limited in power.

I would also try completely disconnecting the 12V battery for 15 minutes to reset all the powertrain modules if you haven't yet.

If a battery reset and full 12V power doesn't allow you to drive after multiple attempts, then you are probably looking at a battery pack issue (bad cells) and the fail-safes will shut down all high voltage systems (car won't move under its own power).

If you are unsuccessful, you will probably need a wheel-lift tow truck with dollies on the rear axle so all 4 wheels are off the ground when towed.

Using emergency towing mode and flat towing is risky because if the 12V battery dies, the car will completely die. The parking pawl might engage and possibly break inside the rear motor unit or lock up the rear axle if you're moving at the time. If there is a HV battery fault the 12V battery will not be maintained by the DC/DC converter and it might only last 5-10 minutes before it dies. Leaving it jumped to a tow vehicle or a deep cycle battery while attempting to move it would be advised. Definitely test braking before going down the ramp, you might be relying on emergency actuation which will be really crude or require a lot of pedal force. Keep someone in the driver seat at all times while moving the car until you're out of the garage.

It would be bad if you lose 12V power while going down a ramp and the electronic assist brakes with it (if assist still works), causing a sudden free-fall until you can smash the brake pedal into the emergency range to stop it.

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