Electrical System Drain Service Required -- Just got this error for the first time

[Jessnyc]

Received this message on Fordpass App for the first time, and I am not sure why since the car seemed to be fine when I parked it this morning. Anyone know whats going on? Is this part of another recall that I am not aware of?

Seems like everything that can possibly pop up wrong is happening lately. I would take it to a dealer but I am not sure what exactly needs to be done. I know I need the HVBJB recall update, but I was hoping to get it OTA. However, looks like a trip to the dealership is needed anyone have good recommendations for a trusted dealer to do these updates near NY?

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[Mach-Lee]

Recently we’ve been seeing these errors as a result of people using 3rd party apps like Optiwatt or utility demand control apps that try to access data about your vehicle. Have you given your Ford login info to one of these apps or programs?

Any hardwired accessories like dash cams?

 

[Jessnyc]

I dont have 3rd party apps accessing data about the vehicle. And I disconnected my dash cam that was plugged in the cig. port before i left the car parked. Could that have sparked this error out the blue and hours later? @Mach-Lee

 

[Mach-Lee]

I dont have 3rd party apps accessing data about the vehicle. And I disconnected my dash cam that was plugged in the cig. port before i left the car parked. Could that have sparked this error out the blue and hours later? @Mach-Lee

Yes. You want your dash cam to shut down shortly after leaving the vehicle. The cig ports will automatically turn off 15? minutes after ignition off, but if you are making short trips that might be enough to drain the battery if it doesn’t have 20+ minutes to recharge on the next ignition cycle.

Try unplugging your dashcam when you get out and you probably won’t see it again.

Mach-E has a tiny 12V battery so running accessories like dash cams with the ignition off isn’t recommended.

 

[Jessnyc]

Yeah I have a separate battery pack running the dash cam, but the battery pack was grabbing some juice while I was in the car parked this morning. I just went back to the vehicle and I saw the warning, but then it disappeared.

So it seems like its just got it popped up in the app once and once in the vehicle.

Hopefully things will be okay now
?

 

[scoopman]

I have a Cellink Neo battery attached to my 12V port in the center console that powers my dashcam, and I've never had it give the 12V error as a result. See if it does this again -- otherwise I wouldn't worry much about it. You might want to recondition your 12V battery one time -- Mach-Lee has a thread on how to do this.

 

[OON7]

I've started to get this weekly, I'm thinking the alert was added as part of a powerup at some point. I figure it is either from the Ford Status Widget on Android or my hardwired dash cam. I haven't actually experienced an issue related to the warning, so I haven't thought too much about it.

My U1000 Dashcam has been hardwired for a year now 20k miles in and I do not have a battery for it, though I may consider now just to see if the alert stops.

 

[Jessnyc]

Yeah I have the Blackbox Powercell 8 but it drained out after having parking mode on for the dash cam for a day or two, so had I had plugged in the cig port this morning when I was moving the car to charge up, which I have done before and never saw this error appear. That is why I was like wtf is happening now ? but thank you both for your help!

If I see it again, I might just take it to the dealer to figure out whats going on.

 

[noway]

Dont worry or care about that, it is just telling you that it is measuring current being drawn from the 12v system during key off, and is not relevant since the 12v system is being charged when necessary, just not at full rate as key on. Unless you have a power inverter og heater connected it is no problem

There is a whole shitload of crap being told on the internet about this which has just made everyone scared. There had been causes of faults, bugs and bad components causing issues and still are, but its just a small minority and is probably at a lower rate than with combustion engine driven cars.

 

[mord]

Yeah I have a separate battery pack running the dash cam, but the battery pack was grabbing some juice while I was in the car parked this morning. I just went back to the vehicle and I saw the warning, but then it disappeared.

So it seems like its just got it popped up in the app once and once in the vehicle.

Hopefully things will be okay now
?

I am getting the same messages, despite having no connected 3rd party apps. My local Ford dealership told me there is a bug that is somehow related to the headlamps and that a fix is expected in November. Meanwhile, he said to ignore it.

 

[Jessnyc]

Smh, lets see if that fix does actually come in Nov. -- but thank you for relaying the message, much appreciated! @mord

 

[scoopman]

Yeah I have the Blackbox Powercell 8 but it drained out after having parking mode on for the dash cam for a day or two, so had I had plugged in the cig port this morning when I was moving the car to charge up, which I have done before and never saw this error appear. That is why I was like wtf is happening now ? but thank you both for your help!

If I see it again, I might just take it to the dealer to figure out whats going on.

If you're interested / concerned about your 12V ..... I have this gadget plugged into an unused fuse spot under the glovebox. It connects up to a phone app over BT when you're near the car and sends historical and live data about how the 12V is doing. You should be able to see with it if you have any kind of power drain, as well as how long it takes for your 12V to drain and need a charge.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NSTQCM8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The app looks like this -- and you can also have it send you a notification once a day to let you know your 12V percentage.

 

[ARK]

If you're interested / concerned about your 12V ..... I have this gadget plugged into an unused fuse spot under the glovebox. It connects up to a phone app over BT when you're near the car and sends historical and live data about how the 12V is doing. You should be able to see with it if you have any kind of power drain, as well as how long it takes for your 12V to drain and need a charge.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NSTQCM8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The app looks like this -- and you can also have it send you a notification once a day to let you know your 12V percentage.

Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary through that app in terms of certain situations to avoid where you felt the low voltage battery got unexpectedly low without being topped up or recharged fast enough?

I try to keep the car on (as opposed to being in accessory mode) but turn the daytime running lights off when I need to hang out inside with the radio or a/c on.

 

[2021-MMEx-RT1]

If you're interested / concerned about your 12V ..... I have this gadget plugged into an unused fuse spot under the glovebox. It connects up to a phone app over BT when you're near the car and sends historical and live data about how the 12V is doing. You should be able to see with it if you have any kind of power drain, as well as how long it takes for your 12V to drain and need a charge.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NSTQCM8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The app looks like this -- and you can also have it send you a notification once a day to let you know your 12V percentage.

Can you point us to the fuse you are using?

The SMILE.AMAZON link to have Amazon donate $$ to your fave charity.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NSTQCM8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Thanks!

 

[scoopman]

Can you point us to the fuse you are using?

The SMILE.AMAZON link to have Amazon donate $$ to your fave charity.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NSTQCM8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Thanks!

I don't have a photo of what I used, but essentially any of the unused fuses are constant power as I recall. Just plop a fuse with a wire off of it and also hit up a ground and it's piece of mind for $35.

I haven't had any issues with my 12v needing a charge at all since putting it in, but I take steps when washing my car not to have my phone or fob nearby. Depending on how long I spend sometimes my 12v was draining from approaching the car a lot.

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