Infant stuck inside the car - dead 12V battery

Dear_OP

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Tesla figured it out. My previous 18 m3 had an issue with the 12v battery. Why Ford can't do something similar?

photo_2025-01-04_09-45-09.webp
They have also upgraded the 12V to Lithium ion battery a few years ago that is rated to last the life of the vehicle. Watching the videos, it is a small unit.

On a related note, in the event of an accident, what does the MME do? Does it unlock all doors, roll down windows, dial 911 (with count down confirmation), hazard lights on...?
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Mach-Lee

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On a related note, in the event of an accident, what does the MME do? Does it unlock all doors, roll down windows, dial 911 (with count down confirmation), hazard lights on...?
Provided the 12V battery is still connected, doors unlock, car will dial 911 (if enabled and phone is paired), lights will flash and horn will honk intermittently. This is called Post-Crash Alert System.

The windows will not automatically roll down.
 

Tomatoboy

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They also need to get the app to display 12V battery SOC.
I would also love if they’d add a screen in Sync 4a that gave HVB SoH and 12V SoC, and while they’re at it maybe add some more info re power consumption closer to what the Lightning has. I’d settle for the engineering mode trick most Fords have for displaying 12V voltage working, though. Heck, even just adding it to the bezel diagnostics…
 
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MoonRiver

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Mine is 2022 model. Hope this wouldn't happen to me. Obviously this is a design flaw whether it caused by OTA update or something else. NHTSA needs to step in. It's ridiculous that not until the battery dead enough can the jumper cables pop the hood, but yet it's dead enough to freeze up the door locks.

HVB should charge 12v battery more often other than only when power all on or in driving, in order to maintain a safe 12v SOC.
 


TheRiddler314

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On a related note, in the event of an accident, what does the MME do? Does it unlock all doors, roll down windows, dial 911 (with count down confirmation), hazard lights on...?
First responders will have no problem breaking a window if needed.
 

Only1bemp

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I have not read the maintenance schedule but I’m sure it has a mileage to test the 12v battery at some interval.
 

Rt1AWD

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My understanding is that the front jumpers are not connected to the battery per se. It's just to pop the frunk.
To access the battery, you need to remove the whole frunk plastic cover, which makes an incompatible solution within the timeframe constraint (infant locked in the car in 80 degrees weather).
That is really questionable design. I think connecting a jump start battery should power up the whole car
 

GreaseMonkey

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I have not read the maintenance schedule but I’m sure it has a mileage to test the 12v battery at some interval.
I have. It does not at least through the first five or 50,000 miles.
 

GreaseMonkey

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How much does the 12v battery+ replacement cost?
Negligible cost, all things considered. Under $150 for the battery itself. The issue is that it’s buried under a lot of plastic.
 

Tomatoboy

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I have not read the maintenance schedule but I’m sure it has a mileage to test the 12v battery at some interval.
It does not. Presumably, Ford assumed the multi-point inspection dealers perform as part of routine service would cover it. However, I’ve noticed that our dealer didn’t test the battery at any of our routine service visits so far, unlike with all my other Fords. I suspect it’s because the battery is behind the annoying plastic.
 

Rt1AWD

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nice video

 

Mach-Lee

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nice video

This video shouldn’t be recommended IMO, there are some issues with the information. A big one is using the wrong battery. They didn’t secure it whatsoever. They pretended they did, but since it doesn’t have a lip at the bottom it’s still loose and could lift right out. You have to get the correct battery. Also no mention of resetting the BMS which is critical after battery replacement.

This video was made by a content farm rather than a reputable source.
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