My 2021 Mach-e Short Circuited and Died for the SECOND time last night

[Beesinspring]

I had a problem last year where my Mach-e just suddenly started throwing all these random error codes when I tried to start it. The lights were blinking on and off, the brake was engaging, and I couldn't get it to stop or start. I had to have it towed in (they couldn't even unlock the doors) and it was at the dealer for 40+ days. They said they replaced the computer parts and it should never happen again. Happened again yesterday. Same exact thing. Totally dead now. I'm devastated.

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[hybrid2bev]

Sounds like a bad 12 volt battery?

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/car-completely-died-on-me-about-an-hour-ago.31370/

 

[generaltso]

I'm not sure what "short circuited" or "replaced the computer parts" mean. But I agree that it sounds like a 12V battery issue.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Tons of error messages generally points to a very low 12V battery. The error messages are presenting because the modules can’t run on the low battery. Presenting the messages drains the 12V even further until it’s kaput. ??

 

[AngryMan]

This is why I love(d) the widget that some of the guys on this forum developed. I could see where my 12v was just by tapping the refresh tab.
PS THANK YOU guys for the widget . Hope Ford lets it work again soon .

 

[Mach-Lee]

This is why I love(d) the widget that some of the guys on this forum developed. I could see where my 12v was just by tapping the refresh tab.
PS THANK YOU guys for the widget . Hope Ford lets it work again soon .

Willing to bet that won’t get updated when the battery dies. It will still say 12V while you’re wondering why your car is completely dead. Not at all useful IMO.

 

[Beesinspring]

So that's not the main battery? Does it need to be replaced? Also, even though this is the second time this has happened, it's now not under warranty because I'm just over 36,000 miles.

 

[Mike G]

So that's not the main battery? Does it need to be replaced? Also, even though this is the second time this has happened, it's now not under warranty because I'm just over 36,000 miles.

You know how on a car with an internal combustion engine, if the 12V battery is dead the car won't start, doors won't unlock, etc.?

Same thing. If the 12V battery gets too low the cars contactors won't close so that the high voltage battery can start providing power to run the car.

And it generally produces a brief and doom-inspiring series of alerts and warnings before it all quits. And all it needed probably was a jump or a recharge of the 12V battery to get going again.

 

[Beesinspring]

Got it. I'll mention it to the dealership, I hope they'll check that instead of charging me a ton of money.

 

[Shayne]

Never had the lights blinking off and on or not being able to power it off with a dead 12V. I have had a dead 12V multiple times and normally it spits out a bunch of errors to the IPC when modules do not boot fully due to lack of power and then it will not go in gear. No light show just a slow unresponsive vehicle.

 

[Ev Blau]

This is why I love(d) the widget that some of the guys on this forum developed. I could see where my 12v was just by tapping the refresh tab.
PS THANK YOU guys for the widget . Hope Ford lets it work again soon .

I don’t have this widget and am wondering how to check my my 12v SOC? Also, how does one charge the 12v battery - I guess I’m just a “user” not a “techie” - but I thought the 12v also got charged via the wall charger and driving around. No?

 

[generaltso]

I don’t have this widget and am wondering how to check my my 12v SOC? Also, how does one charge the 12v battery - I guess I’m just a “user” not a “techie” - but I thought the 12v also got charged via the wall charger and driving around. No?

If you're not having problems, don't worry about it.

 

[Ride_the_lightning]

I assure you that if the high voltage battery short circuited you would have had a very very very bad day.

 

[RickMachE]

I don’t have this widget and am wondering how to check my my 12v SOC? Also, how does one charge the 12v battery - I guess I’m just a “user” not a “techie” - but I thought the 12v also got charged via the wall charger and driving around. No?

The 12v battery gets charged when you drive, and when the car is actively charging. So, if you drive 3 miles, come home, and charge from 89% to 90%, in fact the 12v battery really didn't get charged enough.

Some people, SOMETIMES, may get a System Off To Save Battery... message on their big screen. Unless you see that, don't concern yourself with the 12v battery. Even if you do see it, it just means it's time to drive it.

Or, updates may fail, because your 12v battery isn't charged up high enough. Not any issue, simply drive the car for 30 minutes (or just start it and run it for 30 minutes) and the update will usually apply just fine.

If you're not having problems, don't worry about it.

This ^^^ If you didn't read this forum, 99% of the "issues" would be unknown to you and of no concern.

 

[AngryMan]

I don’t have this widget and am wondering how to check my my 12v SOC? Also, how does one charge the 12v battery - I guess I’m just a “user” not a “techie” - but I thought the 12v also got charged via the wall charger and driving around. No?

If you have an Android phone Play Store has the widget .Its name is Ford Status Widget . As I and the developer have stated the widget does not work properly right now but if you feel like downloading it and waiting for Ford to "allow" it to be functional again you'll be pleasantly surprised by the widgets usefulness .

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