What is this fluid?

[MrMache]

I'm changing out my (dead) 12V battery. I'm not a diy car guy (usually) and have my hands full as it is trying to deal with this 12V by following YouTube videos. I noticed this fluid is below minimum. I've had every 10k mile service done, so these "should" have been checked. What is the fluid? Can I add more myself? Why is it low? Any help would be greatly appreciated. These are on the passenger side of the frunk (USA).

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[Murse-In-Airy]

Coolant. Circulates through the radiator and the battery pack.

 

[MrMache]

Ok. There's another similar/same container of seemingly the same fluid that is above the "max" line. Could it just be due to circulation?

 

[RickMachE]

Make sure you reset the BMS.

 

[MrMache]

Make sure you reset the BMS.

So...I don't know how to do that, and I don't have Forscan. Am I screwed? Just put the new battery in.

 

[MrMache]

Ok. I think I found out how to reset the BMS. Posting here if anyone happens to stumble upon this later.

turn MME 'off' once LVB has been charged to 100%
- Press the START button without pressing the brake (ACCESSORY mode)
- Flash the high beams with the stalk 5x
- Press the brake pedal 3x
- Battery icon on instrument cluster should flash 3x to indicate reset
- Turn OFF the car
- Turn OFF Fordpass and Bluetooth if you use PAAK so car-phone are not communicating
- Park the vehicle undisturbed for 6+ hours to allow the BCM to verify the battery SoC and quiescent load

I'm going for a 2 hour drive right now, so I'm going to assume 100% once I arrive and do this.

 

[Rudi Krupsdahl]

Coolant

 

[Mach-Lee]

I'm changing out my (dead) 12V battery. I'm not a diy car guy (usually) and have my hands full as it is trying to deal with this 12V by following YouTube videos. I noticed this fluid is below minimum. I've had every 10k mile service done, so these "should" have been checked. What is the fluid? Can I add more myself? Why is it low? Any help would be greatly appreciated. These are on the passenger side of the frunk (USA).

,

It’s Motorcraft Yellow coolant in both reservoirs. Yes you can add more yourself if it’s low. You can get a gallon jug from your dealer parts department (premixed 50%). It may be low if you had your HVBJB replaced and they didn’t purge all the air out of the lines. The inverters, motors, and/or battery could be damaged if the vehicle is driven with low coolant levels.

 

[sukhoi_584th]

I'm in the middle of replacing my 12 V battery and sure enough the front coolant reservoir is at the MIN line. Guess the dealer did a lazy job replacing the HVBJB. Luckily I have a gallon of coolant leftover from changing the coolant on my other car recently.

 

[Tampamike]

I'm in the middle of replacing my 12 V battery and sure enough the front coolant reservoir is at the MIN line. Guess the dealer did a lazy job replacing the HVBJB. Luckily I have a gallon of coolant leftover from changing the coolant on my other car recently.

Min is ok, right? Anywhere between min and max …

 

[HuntingPudel]

Min is ok, right? Anywhere between min and max …

Yes. The coolant should not be above the MAX line when the coolant is hot. It should not be below the MIN line when it is cold.

 

[MachhE-CT]

I would think the only way to know if the 12V battery is fully charged would be to put in on a battery charger and fully charge it before installing. Install and do an immediate reset of the BLM . Just me being extra cautious

 

[Shayne]

Yes. The coolant should not be above the MAX line when the coolant is hot. It should not be below the MIN line when it is cold.

Topping it up to the full line when cold following it heated up and circulated is normally recommended on all I have serviced.

 

[sukhoi_584th]

Min is ok, right? Anywhere between min and max …

Well yes if we're being pedantic about things. I prefer to have more buffer above minimum to allow for minute losses over the long life of the coolant.

 

[Shayne]

Well yes if we're being pedantic about things. I prefer to have more buffer above minimum to allow for minute losses over the long life of the coolant.

You can overfill it, it has an overflow with a hose and not much of a problem since it is environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Different problem if it is empty.

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