Different "electrical system drain...." warning

[SLO B]

Hi all, first real post here so please bear with me but I don't think I've seen this issue referenced before.
Two days ago charged car at home to 224 miles.
Went to open windows yesterday and the following messages(s) showed up on car screen, NOT on the FordPass app:
"Drive car. Electrical system drain. Service required". The car had dropped to 214 miles. I wasn't going anywhere yesterday so reversed a few yards then drove forward back to original place.
Today went to leave and car again showed the "Electrical system drain. Service required" message and dropped to 210 miles, but not the "drive car" message, also, nothing on the FordPass app, no service alerts, nada.
Now from what I've seen here, it appears this drain message is typically associated with the 12v battery, however, in my case based on the depleted range, it appears to be reflective of the main battery's health.

Our dealers aren't convenient and truthfully don't seem particularly knowledgeable or even interested in the MME so I'm reluctant to take it in at this point.

Its a new '23 we've had since March with no issues. However, we have been experiencing consecutive days of 95-100+F temps.
I'm curious is anyone else has had similar experience?
Thoughts, comments.
Thanks

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[EMachE]

There is a FSA 24P16 to address this issue

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Hi all, first real post here so please bear with me but I don't think I've seen this issue referenced before.
Two days ago charged car at home to 224 miles.
Went to open windows yesterday and the following messages(s) showed up on car screen, NOT on the FordPass app:
"Drive car. Electrical system drain. Service required". The car had dropped to 214 miles. I wasn't going anywhere yesterday so reversed a few yards then drove forward back to original place.
Today went to leave and car again showed the "Electrical system drain. Service required" message and dropped to 210 miles, but not the "drive car" message, also, nothing on the FordPass app, no service alerts, nada.
Now from what I've seen here, it appears this drain message is typically associated with the 12v battery, however, in my case based on the depleted range, it appears to be reflective of the main battery's health.

Our dealers aren't convenient and truthfully don't seem particularly knowledgeable or even interested in the MME so I'm reluctant to take it in at this point.

Its a new '23 we've had since March with no issues. However, we have been experiencing consecutive days of 95-100+F temps.
I'm curious is anyone else has had similar experience?
Thoughts, comments.
Thanks

Hi Vince! I can look into your Mach-E's error message concern on my end. To get started, could you please send a private message over with the name/location of your local Ford dealer and your Mach-E's VIN?

 

[SLO B]

Thanks for the prompt reply! So I did a search for the what I assume is a Ford Service Alert, but could not find anything. Can you elaborate please what this refers to? And/or where I can find more information about it.
Thanks again for the help.

 

[Neil4Real]

Thanks for the prompt reply! So I did a search for the what I assume is a Ford Service Alert, but could not find anything. Can you elaborate please what this refers to? And/or where I can find more information about it.
Thanks again for the help.

See this link:

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...hvac-module-12v-battery-test-and-reset.37250/

 

[SLO B]

See this link:

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...hvac-module-12v-battery-test-and-reset.37250/

Thanks Neil but my concern is not necessarily the 12v battery. As I said, over three days without driving anywhere the range dropped from 224 miles to 210. Perhaps its just a coincidence that I got that warning on the car (not the app). Did the excessively high temps drop the effective range by 14 miles? Did the high temps cause the drain alert to come on? Is the A/C fan/vent control doing it? I cant change the weather so would really like to know if these things are related or if I have a real problem with the car.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Thanks Neil but my concern is not necessarily the 12v battery. As I said, over three days without driving anywhere the range dropped from 224 miles to 210. Perhaps its just a coincidence that I got that warning on the car (not the app). Did the excessively high temps drop the effective range by 14 miles? Did the high temps cause the drain alert to come on? Is the A/C fan/vent control doing it? I cant change the weather so would really like to know if these things are related or if I have a real problem with the car.

Range varies from day to day due to temperature. It's perfectly normal for the range number to change each day.

You should address the "Electrical System Drain" issue with the 12V system however. Ignoring that could leave you stranded with a dead battery.

 

[SLO B]

I agree about the 12v battery, at first I didn't realize that that particular warning only applied to the 12v battery but it seems like a visit to the dealer may be necessary. As to the mileage, I've been driving BEV's since 2013 (VW, BMWx2, TESLA) so very aware of their idiosyncrasies. However a 6.25% drop without going anywhere seems excessive to me if it is weather related. and something I will have to watch if true.

 

[Mach-Lee]

I agree about the 12v battery, at first I didn't realize that that particular warning only applied to the 12v battery but it seems like a visit to the dealer may be necessary. As to the mileage, I've been driving BEV's since 2013 (VW, BMWx2, TESLA) so very aware of their idiosyncrasies. However a 6.25% drop without going anywhere seems excessive to me if it is weather related. and something I will have to watch if true.

Unlike Tesla and some of the other brands, Ford's range estimate is live and updates based on current conditions and driver behavior. So if it's hotter or colder one day to the next, the displayed range WILL change. Or if you recently took a trip on the interstate (faster speeds) vs. driving in town. That does not indicate a battery problem.

Tesla always shows you the same range every day regardless of the weather. Which is actually not realistic if you think about it.

If you want to know about battery health on a Ford EV, you need a scan tool to read that parameter. It cannot be inferred based on the displayed range due to all the other factors that are part of the range calculation.

And BTW, a 6.25% difference in range is nothing. Ford's range calculation could be off by 15% or more in some situations. So you need to plan accordingly and not trust it explicitly (use ABRP). Wait till this winter when it drops like 40% from the cold, or when you see a 75 mile drop in range after putting in a nav destination that involves interstate travel.

 

[SLO B]

Unlike Tesla and some of the other brands, Ford's range estimate is live and updates based on current conditions and driver behavior. So if it's hotter or colder one day to the next, the displayed range WILL change. Or if you recently took a trip on the interstate (faster speeds) vs. driving in town. That does not indicate a battery problem.

Tesla always shows you the same range every day regardless of the weather. Which is actually not realistic if you think about it.

If you want to know about battery health on a Ford EV, you need a scan tool to read that parameter. It cannot be inferred based on the range due to all the other factors that are part of the range calculation.

I appreciate all that you are saying but to review the facts of this particular situation:
Charged on 7/9, to 224miles max temp 102F (not driven anywhere)
Checked car 7/10 miles now 214 miles, max temp 95F (not driven anywhere) neg 10 mile
Drove the car today 7/11 started with 210 miles temp approx. 95F when departing. neg 4 miles
This has nothing to do with the other brands, just the performance of this vehicle, I only stated my history to give you some context for my understanding of EV's.

I don't think I need to do the math for you but to summarize: it would appear I need to expect up to a 10 mile depletion when ambient temps exceed 100F. Is this normal? I don't know, will it get worse if the temp goes to 110F, or charge the car to 100%? will it be better if I only charge to 50%? am I losing mileage (cost of power) or is there something wrong with the vehicle? I don't know, I'm in contact with Ford re this so hopefully some of my questions will get answered.
BTW, of all the EV's I've owned the MME is by far the best, this is not a ding on Ford, I only want to understand the issue, as a retired engineer, I Like Data!
Vince

 

[Mach-Lee]

I appreciate all that you are saying but to review the facts of this particular situation:
Charged on 7/9, to 224miles max temp 102F (not driven anywhere)
Checked car 7/10 miles now 214 miles, max temp 95F (not driven anywhere) neg 10 mile
Drove the car today 7/11 started with 210 miles temp approx. 95F when departing. neg 4 miles
This has nothing to do with the other brands, just the performance of this vehicle, I only stated my history to give you some context for my understanding of EV's.

I don't think I need to do the math for you but to summarize: it would appear I need to expect up to a 10 mile depletion when ambient temps exceed 100F. Is this normal? I don't know, will it get worse if the temp goes to 110F, or charge the car to 100%? will it be better if I only charge to 50%? am I losing mileage (cost of power) or is there something wrong with the vehicle? I don't know, I'm in contact with Ford re this so hopefully some of my questions will get answered.
BTW, of all the EV's I've owned the MME is by far the best, this is not a ding on Ford, I only want to understand the issue, as a retired engineer, I Like Data!
Vince

Fix the 12V drain first if it's still happening, then go from there.

If you have a LFP pack 2023.5 then you should be charging to 100% so the BMS calibrates.

 

[SLO B]

Yep, going to have to do that I guess. Right now I'm waiting for Ford to get back to me with a review of the vehicle status by VIN #.
Thanks for input on battery type I hadn't really considered that but I have the Premium ER so an NCM battery I believe.

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