frunk access panels

[Snakebitten]

A lot of ICE vehicles have a lot of cladding on them that also hides the 12V battery. My ‘87 Fiero required the removal of a panel to access the 12V battery. My ‘14 Fusion Energi had its 12V battery in the trunk behind the trunk quarter trim panel. The MME is however my first car where I cannot get to the battery if it’s dead without external help. ?‍?

I'm pondering following in your wake on extending the AGM battery posts with a weatherproof receptacle. And making access available in the driver's side wheel well?

The sole intention is to eliminate the catch 22 the Mach-E has for accessing the battery if the battery is dead.

Sponsored

 

[lesz]

A lot of ICE vehicles have a lot of cladding on them that also hides the 12V battery. My ‘87 Fiero required the removal of a panel to access the 12V battery. My ‘14 Fusion Energi had its 12V battery in the trunk behind the trunk quarter trim panel. The MME is however my first car where I cannot get to the battery if it’s dead without external help. ?‍?

It would be nice if my Mach-e had the same option as my ‘14 Corvette. The battery in the Corvette is under the hatch in the back, and there’s a cigarette lighter-type outlet that you can use to trickle charge the battery. That would be an option for the Mach-e to access the battery for charging without having to pop off the plastic panels. If the battery ever did die on the ‘Vette, you can use the physical key in the fob near the rear license plate to ‘manually’ pop open the rear hatch to get to the battery. There’s also a cord in the hatch area to pull to pop-open the driver door.

 

[HuntingPudel]

It would be nice if my Mach-e had the same option as my ‘14 Corvette. The battery in the Corvette is under the hatch in the back, and there’s a cigarette lighter-type outlet that you can use to trickle charge the battery. That would be an option for the Mach-e to access the battery for charging without having to pop off the plastic panels. If the battery ever did die on the ‘Vette, you can use the physical key in the fob near the rear license plate to ‘manually’ pop open the rear hatch to get to the battery. There’s also a cord in the hatch area to pull to pop-open the driver door.

That would require the MME to have a key cylinder. Unfortunately, there are none. The best we can do is to hide away a mechanical release that would not be secure. I’m thinking of doing just such a thing since I use the frunk for chillin’. ??

 

[TMartz]

Ford.com no longer shows the lvb charge level no matter which level of my Accnt that I drill down to unlike some of the guidance on this thread.

 

[Robert_D]

My 12v battery is giving me errors, so I opened the frunk for the first time in several weeks. I keep the travel charger, flat kit, charge cable extension and adapter in there. My back cover behind the tub is gone. I had it worked on over a month ago - for a seatbelt error, and hadn't been in the frunk since - they either accidentally left it out, or broke it and tossed it. You shouldn't have to check your vehicle for missing parts when you have the dealer work on it. I was going to get them to replace the 12v battery since it is more involved than just swapping batteries - but now I'm not too sure...

 

[MoonRiver]

I leave those covers out except the one above the 12v battery, so I can conveniently check battery and motor coolant level. I also have drilled two access holes to the jump points. That way I can leave that cover alone. I don’t see why the other two can’t be left out.

 

[Jimrpa]

This didn't take me but a few minutes to accomplish the first attempt.
It will take me much less time the second occasion. Easily less than 10 minutes, still using soft-hands to avoid damaging anything.

What are “soft-hands” (I’m assuming you’re referring to some type of tool(s))?

 

[Mike G]

As in "carefully prying" the panel upwards to dislodge the clips without snapping something? (like I did when it was cold outside)

 

[MoonRiver]

What are “soft-hands” (I’m assuming you’re referring to some type of tool(s))?

My interpretation is he does it like changing diaper on a new born baby.

 

[azerik]

This didn't take me but a few minutes to accomplish the first attempt.
It will take me much less time the second occasion. Easily less than 10 minutes, still using soft-hands to avoid damaging anything.

But, how many clips needed to be fished back out from said spider web of underhood stuff? No matter how hard I try i lose at least 2 each time and have to go fishing.

 

[HuntingPudel]

But, how many clips needed to be fished back out from said spider web of underhood stuff? No matter how hard I try i lose at least 2 each time and have to go fishing.

In all of my frunk tub in and out exercises I have found missing exactly two clips between the 2021 and 2024 (and I am pretty sure that the one that was missing from the 2024 was simply missing and not lost since I didn’t hear or feel it release). Are you being a mad brute with the beauty panels Erik? ??

 

[azerik]

Are you being a mad brute with the beauty panels Erik? ??

I try not to be, but once I'm bleeding all bets are off.

 

[HuntingPudel]

I try not to be, but once I'm bleeding all bets are off.

Gently grasp with teeth and pull. ??

 

[Jimrpa]

Gently grasp with teeth and pull. ??

Is there a place to purchase replacement clips when I invariably break and lose them ? I’d like to be proactive about my failings.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Is there a place to purchase replacement clips when I invariably break and lose them ? I’d like to be proactive about my failings.

Your Ford dealer? They sell them in 4 packs. ??

Sponsored