The beginning....I'm concerned.

BigMach-E

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Okay, I'm going to toss my story of woe in here...

2021 Select AWD SR that I've owned for 8 months.


I've been charging almost exclusively at home for the past few months, got a 240v 14-50 outlet with a new breaker installed in my carport for my Ford Mobile Charger. It has worked great.

This Saturday, I did something different driving/charging wise. I normally drive in a radius of about 40 miles from home.

I charged up to 100 percent SOC (normally Max out at 85), drove 75+ miles away to get a cargo cover. Drove all the way back home without hitting a public charger. SOC 31 percent.

Put car on Mobile charger, no faults. Charged up to 56 percent, went out to get sandwiches about 12 miles away, turn off car. Ambient temps were in between 60-77 degrees during all trips. Come back to car, try to turn on after 15 minutes, get "Stop safely now/Full acc power active", flashing start button, can't shift, (foot on brake).

Call Ford Roadside, jump arrives hour later, nice guy, I open frunk, he pulls the frunk panels to get to the jump points, turns on and connects his jump pack, asks me to start, doesn't work, keep pack on for 5+min, try to start, same thing, time for flatbed. Call dealership 2 miles away, service center is about to close, can't get tow in time before they close. They suggest that I talk to sales as to where to put the car, they aren't thrilled about having a broken down car on their lot, and suggest back lot that is kind of a sketchy place.

Tow truck driver arrives, tells me leaving the car there is a terrible idea over the weekend. Suggests putting it up at his shop until Monday. I asked how much storage cost is, he guestimates 35 a day, but will submit to Ford Roadside, I said fine.

Showed him the winch points, car gets up on the flatbed pretty easy. Says they'll get it to dealer first thing Monday. I arrange a rental reservation through Hertz for Monday ( I expect to be reimbursed 35 a day for 10 days).

Fast forward to Monday, call dealership, they they haven't seen the car, and they ask if I made an appointment. I said this was confusing as I called and talked to the service department, but the pretended like it was the first time they had heard of the issue. Call the tow company, guy who picked up the Mach-E had unloaded it at the shop, guy with the second flatbed says the car is dead, he can't get in, looked up how to emergency release frunk, had it open, was charging the LVB, but still couldn't get in. Gave him the rundown in not hooking battery rails. He appreciated it. I called him back 20 min later, he was in the car, walked him through emergency tow mode.

Call dealer, ask them to give me a call as soon as the car arrives.

Call Ford (I have PremiumCare), ask about rental reimbursement, they confirmed if I have a service record I should be good).

Call dealer back two hours later, said my car should be there, she said she didn't know, would look out the window. Gentleman gets on the phone, says the car is there, I suggest my suspicion of the HVBJ and the BECM, even though low temp isn't an issue here. He thanks me, say he'll let me know.

I call back 3 hours later, to ask for the service event number on voicemail.

So, that's where it stands, rather certain other than bringing the car into the garage, nothing else has happened (no securialert message since I talked to the service rep).

I'll update when something more happens.
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Peaceowl

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Yes, so sorry. It’s discouraging to see so many with this problem. I’ve been keeping an eye on these posts, some days thinking it’s just a matter of time so I better pay attention.

I appreciate your post. If only we could put a finger on the scenario that causes it. Good luck.
 
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BigMach-E

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Oh, only other things I did the night before, removed-reset up PAAK, set up backup start and door code while on home L2 charge. I don't think relevant, but that was also a non-typical action.
 

scoopman

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Oh no! So sorry to hear this happened after your visit on Saturday. ? that this gets sorted out very soon.

I wonder if it is some of the module software updates that might need to be performed on your car.
 

DevSecOps

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Interesting that this has happened to potentially 2 people now when it's not freezing. I originally thought that it didn't have anything to do with climate, but then we were told by a source that the issue was climate related.

It could also be possible that Ford is pushing "if X is happening then do Y" due to the recent issues in colder climates and that diagnosis is just immediately handed down.

If you wouldn't mind, send me your VIN in a DM so I can track what the service department is doing. I can also provide you with screenshots so you can see as well. I'm also watching the other vehicle with this issue. I'm curious to see where this goes.
 


Mach1E

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Interesting that this has happened to potentially 2 people now when it's not freezing. I originally thought that it didn't have anything to do with climate, but then we were told by a source that the issue was climate related.

It could also be possible that Ford is pushing "if X is happening then do Y" due to the recent issues in colder climates and that diagnosis is just immediately handed down.

If you wouldn't mind, send me your VIN in a DM so I can track what the service department is doing. I can also provide you with screenshots so you can see as well. I'm also watching the other vehicle with this issue. I'm curious to see where this goes.
Common denominator seems to be the 12v battery, right?

While cold weather is harsh on the 12v, seems they can die in any weather though.

What scares me is how dead 12v = flat tow.

That’s a serious problem. Because if our experiences with ICE vehicles tell us anything, it’s that 12v batteries all die eventually. And in Florida heat, “eventually” is like every 3 years.
 

DevSecOps

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Common denominator seems to be the 12v battery, right?

While cold weather is harsh on the 12v, seems they can die in any weather though.

What scares me is how dead 12v = flat tow.

That’s a serious problem. Because if our experiences with ICE vehicles tell us anything, it’s that 12v batteries all die eventually. And in Florida heat, “eventually” is like every 3 years.
Incorrect ... there's actually very very few cases of bad LVBs. It's components of the HVB system that fail which cause people here to attribute the failure to the LVB. When the HVB is disabled it doesn't charge up the LVB. Think alternator in an ICE vehicle. It's not the battery at fault if the alternator goes bad.

Either way, regardless of ICE or EV I always carry a jump pack. I prefer the ones made by Antigravity Batteries. Also, it must be something different in each state because in California 99% of tows are flatbed. It's very rare to see an old school pull behind tow (not sure the proper name).
 

Mach1E

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Incorrect ... there's actually very very few cases of bad LVBs. It's components of the HVB system that fail which cause people here to attribute the failure to the LVB. When the HVB is disabled it doesn't charge up the LVB. Think alternator in an ICE vehicle. It's not the battery at fault if the alternator goes bad.

Either way, regardless of ICE or EV I always carry a jump pack. I prefer the ones made by Antigravity Batteries. Also, it must be something different in each state because in California 99% of tows are flatbed. It's very rare to see an old school pull behind tow (not sure the proper name).
Gotcha, well that’s good to know, but actually way worse. Since replacing a LvB would have been a much easier fix.

Diagnosing whether it’s the starter, battery or alternator was one of the first super helpful “tricks” I learned about fixing cars.

I need to learn a new trick.
 

Astraea

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Sorry that this is happening to yet another person. Hopefully now that a few of us have gotten the (so far) fix for this issue that maybe your repairs go smoothly and quickly, fingers crossed for you friend. ? Good luck and keep us updated!
 

scoopman

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Oh, only other things I did the night before, removed-reset up PAAK, set up backup start and door code while on home L2 charge. I don't think relevant, but that was also a non-typical action.
Well at least your cargo compartment is covered while your car is sitting at the dealer ?
 

Neil4Real

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Could any of these issues be related to that bulletin about the IPC staying on when you turn the car off and need to blink the hazards three times?
 
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BigMach-E

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Could any of these issues be related to that bulletin about the IPC staying on when you turn the car off and need to blink the hazards three times?
Unlikely in my case, I haven't had had the IPC buzz, or my hearing is terrible.
 

mkhuffman

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Incorrect ... there's actually very very few cases of bad LVBs. It's components of the HVB system that fail which cause people here to attribute the failure to the LVB. When the HVB is disabled it doesn't charge up the LVB. Think alternator in an ICE vehicle. It's not the battery at fault if the alternator goes bad.
Also, when you get this: " "Stop safely now/Full acc power active", flashing start button, can't shift, (foot on brake) " it indicates the LVB is working properly and the HVB is failing to come on line (or "start"). I get "full acc power active" when I press the start button without my foot on the brake.

I bet there is data we can get from a OBDII scanner that will indicate the failure is coming, or the condition exists that will eventually cause the failure. I hate to wish something bad on someone else, but if it could happen while someone is using a scanner and logging their trip, we might get enough data to help others figure out they have a problem before getting stranded. I wonder if Ford would be willing to help us with that? Maybe I need to just keep my scanner plugged in and always run CarScanner when driving, just in case...

Anyway, @BigMach-E I wish you quick recovery. One of the benefits of participating in this forum is increased knowledge about our cars. I am thankful of what I have learned. It appears you know exactly where the tow points are (thank you Forum members!) and also about a possible cause (again from the Forum!). When this bad thing happened, you at least knew how to handle it. If this ever happens to me, I will know exactly what to do.
 
 







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