Marlin's Dead Low Voltage Battery (LVB) -- Followed by Stuck in Park

[SnBGC]

Very true -- it could be any number of things that are shared. But I guessed "Sync 4" because it's new only in those two cars so far, and both have a battery drain.

Escape HEV/PHEV are having LVB drain issues too. Just FYI....

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[Metal_Horses]

I didnt know this so thanks for sharing again. So, about 1 hr 15 minutes to charge the LVB? That is a long time. I wonder what the charge rate was in that case?
I do know the DCDC converter is variable. Seems to me it would want the shortest elapsed time possible to maintain the LVB that way all the related modules could go back to a low power state again. Thus wasting less energy compared to a longer duration event.

The module determines the LVB charge rate in part by looking at the ambient temperature. I would be very interested to see the map tables for that function. Maybe the PC/ED manuals have some more info.....will try to get access to those and report back......

Your guess is as good as mine. Would definitely be interested in those numbers

 

[agoldman]

Can you "speculate"? No need to divulge the source.

On the other hand why should any of this be a secret? They need to be transparent for both people that already spent their hard earned money in a pandemic and bad weather, and for us waiting to spending our hard earned money and hoping this will get done soon. So far they do seem to be all over this, but I think we deserve to know what's going on. I imagine the press will glom on to this story by next week anyway, since they seem to parrot stuff on this forum pretty regularly. Anyway, to me it seems like they might have let this car ship a bit too early to meet deadlines, and not fully tested in the field.

 

[machefan]

When that part is installed then it's highly likely you will get the update by default. That module has to be programmed when it arrives.

Ah, make sense. Scholar you are!

 

[Regularmache]

I think that is part of my issue. I have a vampire drain and the DC-DC inverter isn't keeping the battery charged. I believe the solutions Ford is working on are to solve both of those.

Mark, is the MachE they've loaned you acting normally with no issues?

 

[machefan]

On the other hand why should any of this be a secret? They need to be transparent for both people that already spent their hard earned money in a pandemic and bad weather, and for us waiting to spending our hard earned money and hoping this will get done soon. So far they do seem to be all over this, but I think we deserve to know what's going on. I imagine the press will glom on to this story by next week anyway, since they seem to parrot stuff on this forum pretty regularly. Anyway, to me it seems like they might have let this car ship a bit too early to meet deadlines, and not fully tested in the field.

Nah, the MME is old news, now they are onto other things. Ford will take care of it quickly, most here are either anxious for delivery or just nervous if they will experience any of the not so much fun. However the numbers are so little compared to how many are enjoying the MME.

Some folks like CC and myself as well as others are the unfortunate soles who are caught up in this. Lots of posts to pass the time, I hate to say it. Also just keeping others informed of progress.

Really I am sure Ford will make everything where it needs to be, it's not common practice for Car MFG to be fully transparent. Maybe over time it will get better but for now this is how it works.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Just wanted to post a recap/update:

Ford has sent field engineers out to work directly with some of the affected cars. They are confident the problem is not weather related. They also believe it is limited to a certain range of build dates. They were looking into the issue on Sunday, already viewing my videos. They had Koons run a bunch of diagnostics on Monday that were directed by Mach E engineers. By Tuesday morning a Ford engineer had arrived at Koons and taken over my case, consulting with the Mach E engineering team. They thought they had a solution Tuesday night (trust me when I say I'm convinced ALL of the Mach E engineering team believed they had the solution). The solution, in the form of installing he very latest software was implemented Wednesday. Unfortunately, something didn't work. I'm guessing parts of the new software or the actions they caused weren't fully compatible with the rest of the system, so the car put itself into park when they started to drive it (I'm guessing it really went into safe shutdown mode).

At this point I'm awaiting a Thursday update but I'm confident the Mach E engineering team (probably with a Ford engineer still working on my car) is working hard to fully resolve the situation.

 

[machefan]

Just wanted to post a recap/update:

Ford has sent field engineers out to work directly with some of the affected cars. They are confident the problem is not weather related. They also believe it is limited to a certain range of build dates. They were looking into the issue on Sunday, already viewing my videos. They had Koons run a bunch of diagnostics on Monday that were directed by Mach E engineers. By Tuesday morning a Ford engineer had arrived at Koons and taken over my case, consulting with the Mach E engineering team. They thought they had a solution Tuesday night (trust me when I say I'm convinced ALL of the Mach E engineering team believed they had the solution). The solution, in the form of installing he very latest software was implemented Wednesday. Unfortunately, something didn't work. I'm guessing parts of the new software or the actions they caused weren't fully compatible with the rest of the system, so the car put itself into park when they started to drive it (I'm guessing it really went into safe shutdown mode).

At this point I'm awaiting a Thursday update but I'm confident the Mach E engineering team (probably with a Ford engineer still working on my car) is working hard to fully resolve the situation.

Glad they are keeping you in the loop, hopefully they figure it out. I didn't get a confirmation yet for my MME if they are able to get the part by Friday or if it's actually available.

 

[SnBGC]

On the other hand why should any of this be a secret? They need to be transparent for both people that already spent their hard earned money in a pandemic and bad weather, and for us waiting to spending our hard earned money and hoping this will get done soon. So far they do seem to be all over this, but I think we deserve to know what's going on. I imagine the press will glom on to this story by next week anyway, since they seem to parrot stuff on this forum pretty regularly. Anyway, to me it seems like they might have let this car ship a bit too early to meet deadlines, and not fully tested in the field.

(sigh....)
Let us all remember that Ford isn't keeping any secrets because they are under no obligation what-so-ever to tell us anything. They manufactured the car and sold it to distributors who in turn sold it to us. Ford's obligation is to their distributors and as such are likely respecting the dealer-to-customer relationship. If you have questions or need answers then your dealer is responsible for keeping you informed about your vehicle that you purchased from them.

Period.

The mere fact that Ford is in direct contact with end users who are having issues is remarkable and shows how progressive they are becoming. Good to see. There is no doubt that Ford is aware of this issue and working hard on a solution that meets the needs of all involved. There is also no doubt these issues are unexpected and unintentional. In my experience, most everyone that I have met from Ford that is involved with product development has a common goal to build the best product they can with maximum value. They know you work hard to your money so they work hard to earn your business.

Hang in there if you can.....I believe it will get better and be worth your patience.

 

[agoldman]

However the numbers are so little compared to how many are enjoying the MME.

I guess, but I'm not sure we would know of that other than this forum. Funny how some of most active members got hit with this all at once.

and above post reply SnBGC, they are absolutely under obligation to tell us, or me at least, if they want my money! this is serious business. You certainly can feel however you want about it.

 

[machefan]

I guess, but I'm not sure we would know of ther than this forum. Funny how some of most acticve members got hit with this all at once.

Most active ordered early, we are in the same lot of first MME's for the most part. Many posts from new folks too, who are enjoying their MME as I type.

Many focus on the negatives and bypass the positives.

 

[ChasingCoral]

I am jealous of the updates and quick responses you are getting, sounds like Ford is on top of it with the dealer and FE working around the clock. I have doubt the local Ford engineer who showed up at my dealer really diagnosed it correctly. I am really surprised the local FE said it was an actual part and not all tying back to a software issue. In your case it was a battery drain (dead MME), with mine it's all message based with no noticeable actual issues. So now I wait for a part to arrive, then a bunch of panels taken off, part installed and panels put back. Not what I wanted with a new car but it is what is, I am just nervous the part they are replacing isn't really a root cause.

Please don't let the green-eyed monster of jealousy take over your thinking. Given a choice, I'd rather not be the center of attention for Ford's BEV engineering expertise right now. I'll bet you that Ford engineer who worked on your Mach E was in communication with Ford Engineering. If I were them, I'd be asking myself if these issues are related. I'm sure they are looking into the whole suite of dead battery and other system issues in addition to diagnosing them separately. I hope yours is a part issue. If applicable, they will probably be making sure your software is up to date as well.

If something else is the root cause, I'm confident Ford will stand behind all of our cars. They are working their tails off on this problem right now.

 

[ChasingCoral]

It seems to go to the details of the big battery.

Details:

Interesting. I expected at least a mention of the low voltage system.

 

[machefan]

Please don't let the green-eyed monster of jealousy take over your thinking. Given a choice, I'd rather not be the center of attention for Ford's BEV engineering expertise right now. I'll bet you that Ford engineer who worked on your Mach E was in communication with Ford Engineering. If I were them, I'd be asking myself if these issues are related. I'm sure they are looking into the whole suite of dead battery and other system issues in addition to diagnosing them separately. I hope yours is a part issue. If applicable, they will probably be making sure your software is up to date as well.

If something else is the root cause, I'm confident Ford will stand behind all of our cars. They are working their tails off on this problem right now.

Well said and thanks!

I’m also confident, both of us will be back on the road shortly.

I’m more anxious then anything, OCD for sure.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Mark, is the MachE they've loaned you acting normally with no issues?

They haven't loaned me a Mach E. Their FCTP car hasn't even arrived yet. They offered me an Explorer ST (in blue because I obviously like that color) but I turned them down -- for now at least. If they HAD offered me a Mach E I'd have definitely said yes.

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