Should I try to force HVBJB to fail?

[MightyMike]

I have a Jan 22 build standard GT. I have 15K miles and have not had the HVBJB failure. Question per title is should I try to force it to fail to get replaced before warranty expires?

I like to accelerate hard, but certainly don’t push the car as much as others here. If I wanted to do this what’s the best way?

I deliberately drove my car hard (not crazy, but I had fun), when I found out about the HVBJB problem. Had it fail, and got it repaired, no problem.

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[BadgerGreg]

I have a Jan 22 build standard GT. I have 15K miles and have not had the HVBJB failure. Question per title is should I try to force it to fail to get replaced before warranty expires?

I like to accelerate hard, but certainly don’t push the car as much as others here. If I wanted to do this what’s the best way?

Hard to tell when/how they fail. My 2021 HVBJB failed twice, both times during relatively normal driving conditions (once in the winter and the other during the spring in warmer weather). As others have said, you have a long time remaining with the warranty that covers HV components. I'd just continue to drive and enjoy the car. I don't think there's any good way to make it fail...it either happens or it doesn't.

 

[tuminatr]

Sounds like a fun challenge, drive it as normal. When or if it fails have it fixed my 2021 GTPE just hit 26k and has the original HVBJB no issues.

 

[Mach-Lee]

It's really a random thing based on when the contactor decides to go bad. You can drive it easy or hard and it doesn't make a whole lot of difference. It all has to do with the part quality you got.

The only reliable way we've found to fail HVBJBs is to drive up the Grapevine at high speed. If you can go back and forth 3 times in a row with DCFC on each end without failure, then you pass the proof test. We should call that the HVBJB challenge.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

The only reliable way we've found to fail HVBJBs is to drive up the Grapevine at high speed. If you can go back and forth 3 times in a row with DCFC on each end without failure, then you pass the proof test. We should call that the HVBJB challenge.

Doesn’t even need to be particularly high speed. We were doing only about 65.

 

[Phil-Springs]

I have a hard time understanding if it’s only a design issue, or only a manufacturing defect, it seems both are required for failure. Some people absolutely murder their HVBJBs on a daily basis, and never get an issue, while others baby it and get a failure.

I think in the recall documentation , Ford said it was both design and manufacturing tolerance.

 

[generaltso]

The only reliable way we've found to fail HVBJBs is to drive up the Grapevine at high speed.

Listening to Blippi helps as well. And if there are goats involved, all the better.

 

[DennisD]

I have a Jan 22 build standard GT. I have 15K miles and have not had the HVBJB failure. Question per title is should I try to force it to fail to get replaced before warranty expires?

I like to accelerate hard, but certainly don’t push the car as much as others here. If I wanted to do this what’s the best way?

I have been on this Earth for almost 60 years and I have not had to file bankruptcy.

What is the quickest way to lose all my money and go bankrupt before my note comes due? ?

I am being a total smart ass but I would never "push" my car into a mode of failure. Too many other things could go sideways and you just may end up with taking years off your car with no luck to recoup want you want.

I would continue to drive it like you own it rather than like you stole it and the odds will be in your favor of not breaking.

Good Luck!!

 

[MachGT]

Seems like a lot of effort to me. I just drove normally and it failed. Twice. First time fast charging after the recall/warranty repair and i got all of the warnings. I'm not looking forward to another gas loaner for two weeks. FYI, when the dealer said it would take about three weeks to get the part, i opted to keep the car and continue driving at reduced output. It was better than the alternative econo box loaner they would have given me .

 

[mkhuffman]

It's really a random thing based on when the contactor decides to go bad. You can drive it easy or hard and it doesn't make a whole lot of difference. It all has to do with the part quality you got.

The only reliable way we've found to fail HVBJBs is to drive up the Grapevine at high speed. If you can go back and forth 3 times in a row with DCFC on each end without failure, then you pass the proof test. We should call that the HVBJB challenge.

If I lived near the Grapevine I would break my self imposed (i.e. wife imposed) 80 mph speed limit and do multiple runs up and down it until I gave up or it broke. I have made a few weak attempts to kill my HVBJB without success. I WOT every day. Lame.

If only the Grapevine wasn't 3,000 miles away...

Edit: it is actually closer than I thought. Only 2,694 miles. I head out tomorrow.

 

[Mach-Lee]

If I lived near the Grapevine I would break my self imposed (i.e. wife imposed) 80 mph speed limit and do multiple runs up and down it until I gave up or it broke. I have made a few weak attempts to kill my HVBJB without success. I WOT every day. Lame.

If only the Grapevine wasn't 3,000 miles away...

Edit: it is actually closer than I thought. Only 2,694 miles. I head out tomorrow.

We need to find you an Appalachian grapevine Mike. I-24 west of Chattanooga, TN or I-40 near Iron Duff, NC might work.

 

[Timelessblur]

You have a long time to go before the 8 year/100,000 mile warranty expires on the HVBJB.

Follow by I would not be shocked if in the end of the law suits that the HVBJB gets an unlimited mileage and age warranty on that part.. Basing that on some other settlements in the pass.


Either way long time.

 

[mkhuffman]

We need to find you an Appalachian grapevine Mike. I-24 west of Chattanooga, TN or I-40 near Iron Duff, NC might work.

I do this stretch on I64 every time I go to Roanoke, which over the past couple of years has been a lot of times due to my parents and their failing health. But I do not think it is long enough. I have to DCFC about 30 minutes before I hit the mountain on the way there. On the way back the DCFC is after I go over the mountain.

One thing is it is hard to maintain 80 mph going up that mountain because there are so many trucks that are crawling along and people passing them slowly - and people in general going the speed limit or lower in the left lane.

 

[DennisD]

Follow by I would not be shocked if in the end of the law suits that the HVBJB gets an unlimited mileage and age warranty on that part.. Basing that on some other settlements in the pass.


Either way long time.

It is all but guaranteed IMHO. Other than the inconvenience of breaking down, the financial aspect of paying for this part is/will be at around zero percent. I am losing no sleep in this regard.

Once they started to replace the many failed parts, it was basically an unwritten rule that there is "egg on their face" and they will cover the cost well past warranty.

This is exactly why IMO, that the extended warranties are practically worthless many times. I have owned and driven well over 100 cars since 1978 ish and I have never had to pay for a "major" repair past warranty. I have driven some cars up to 150 k but I usually "dump" them at around 100 k because I don't want to be in the shop. In my line of business, time is money. I think today's cars could go at least 200 k w/o much major repairs and like I have said, I have had head gaskets, steering pumps, transmissions paid for by the car company PAST warranty.

The Dealership's usually don't want to repair it past warranty with you not paying for it (they get less in many cases) but if you call the right people, things usually go your way. If I would have paid for extended warranties I would be DEEP in the red. The old adage is if you can't pay for the repair, you really can't afford to keep the car. Time to move on and watch the CR reviews etc. and don't keep cars prone to break down. After owning this particular car, I think if I keep this past warranty I would be surprised knowing what I know with all of the other "stuff" that is annoying for not working properly. Once again, I am not as concerned with the cost but rather the time in a shop.

 

[kdzpro25]

I’m interested to know if the failure is mostly happening with GTs? I have a standard range Select and not seeing many of any posts with those having the problem? ?

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