Stranded in Wisconsin: Mach E road trip fail

[BadgerGreg]

I took my kids to Madison Wisconsin (from metro Detroit) on a weekend trip to see family. The trip out on Friday was fantastic; easy charging and enjoyable trip. Efficiency was manageable and the EA charging stations were reliable and fast.

I kept the car plugged in at my sister's home on Level 1 charging. Temps were ranging from the mid teens to mid 30s (cold, but not absurdly cold). On Saturday night, got a charge fault error while at 33% SOC. Went to try unplugging and plugging in again, and had a red ring at the charge port indicator. Got in the car and started it up. The "Stop Safely Now" message popped up and the car wouldn't engage (I couldn't get it out of Park). I went to bed hoping that the car would reset itself overnight.

I got in the car this morning and the same problem persisted. I was supposed to drive back to Michigan today, so instead I'm having the car towed to a local (Madison, WI) dealership, spending $600 to rent a car to get back to Michigan (lowest available rental cost), and wondering how long it will take to get it back. Hopefully, Ford will have the decency to transport my car back to Michigan when the service is completed, because I don't want to spend the time and money to get back to Madison to pick it up.

@Ford Motor Company - I've been a cheerleader for this car for my first 20,000 miles, but it's hard to be a cheerleader today. Very disappointed for a car that is not yet one year old.

UPDATE (March 1, 2022): the dealership contacted me and said it was a software issue only. They were able to clear the error codes and they say the car is back to normal. I didn't get all the technical details yet, but there were no battery control modules or other hardware that needed to be replaced. Also, not a 12V battery issue. The tech said that this is a known problem that will likely be addressed with an upcoming OTA..

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[RickMachE]

This kind of issue is what's disappointing about this car.

OP, guess you didn't try the negative cable detach? Seems like more than a handful of early build vehicles have this issue.

 

[BadgerGreg]

This kind of issue is what's disappointing about this car.

OP, guess you didn't try the negative cable detach? Seems like more than a handful of early build vehicles have this issue.

I'm not aware of that trick. To add insult to injury, the car is parked with the nose close to the garage door and there are no approved rear winch points. I'm not sure how they're going to get the car on the flat bed.

 

[Rabidsquirrel22]

I'm not aware of that trick. To add insult to injury, the car is parked with the nose close to the garage door and there are no approved rear winch points. I'm not sure how they're going to get the car on the flat bed.

If you can turn it on in accessory mode, you can access emergency tow mode in the vehicle settings menu that will allow you to shift the car into neutral. Then you can work with the tow truck driver to push the car backwards. That’s what I had to do when mine died nose in like this.

 

[gnaark]

Damn, were you using the official ford mobile charger?

 

[BadgerGreg]

If you can turn it on in accessory mode, you can access emergency tow mode in the vehicle settings menu that will allow you to shift the car into neutral. Then you can work with the tow truck driver to push the car backwards. That’s what I had to do when mine died nose in like this.

Thanks for the advice. Just did that. Only issue now is how to get the car on the bed by pulling from the back. The car is on an incline so we can’t push it. Tow guy wants to pull from the rear control arms.

 

[Crilly]

I am in Hartland Wi. I can be in Madison in an hour and half if you want some help getting it going. I believe I can be of help.

 

[RickMachE]

Thanks for the advice. Just did that. Only issue now is how to get the car on the bed by pulling from the back. The car is on an incline so we can’t push it. Tow guy wants to pull from the rear control arms.

Since you are there, I would try 2 things:

1) Remove panel and jump start battery.

if that doesn't work

2) Disconnect negative battery cable for 15 minutes and then reconnect and try to start.

 

[VaderMachE]

I've saved this from another post.

 

[BadgerGreg]

Damn, were you using the official ford mobile charger?

Yep

 

[BadgerGreg]

I am in Hartland Wi. I can be in Madison in an hour and half if you want some help getting it going. I believe I can be of help.

That’s very generous of you, although the car is off to the dealership now.

 

[Crilly]

I would drag it by the wheels. Tie it down by the wheels.

 

[BadgerGreg]

And she’s off! Now I get to drive a rented ICE vehicle back to Michigan this afternoon. *sad trombone*

 

[Crilly]

Good Luck then.

 

[Neil4Real]

How did they get it out of the garage?!? Don’t leave us hanging!

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