The beginning....I'm concerned.

[Neil4Real]

Unlikely in my case, I haven't had had the IPC buzz, or my hearing is terrible.

It’s not the buzz, they said the IPC could be draining the LVB because it stays on when you turn the car off.

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[Neil4Real]

No.

Why is that? Maybe not this particular case since it doesn’t seem the LVB, but since that bulletin has come out, we haven’t had a single person that’s been told that’s what caused their LVB drain issue. But Ford has had to at least seen some if they have a bulletin for it?

 

[generaltso]

Why is that?

Because most of these issues have occurred while the LVB still has power. It often eventually dies due to repeated start attempts, but it doesn't appear that a dead LVB is the initial cause. This is further reinforced with the fact that jump starting the LVB doesn't get the car started.

 

[ChuckA]

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).

Wheel Lift Tow. Hook & Chain Tow no longer used, damages vehicle.

 

[sotek2345]

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.

Yeah but the trick for that test doesn't work on newer ICE cars anyways - too much computerization.

- Assuming the trick is getting the car running, the disconnecting the battery - car keeps running = bad battery / car stops = bad alternator.

 

[Rabidsquirrel22]

It seems like this issue has really started popping up a lot over the past few weeks, and it seems like it’s mostly impacting Job 2 vehicles. Hopefully Ford doesn’t take too much longer to address it.

 

[RMoore]

...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.

Sorry to hear this, sounds pretty painful. Hope it gets resolved soon. But I have to say, sounds like your tow truck guys went the extra mile to figure out how to tow. Nice to hear, in contrast to the goofballs who just either give up or do damage.

 

[BigMach-E]

Okay, update time. Relatively minor one. Called Ford Corporate early in the morning today. Once directed to the correct department, after verbally vomiting the whole situation to a gent that was really there to make Mach-E reservations, got a sympathetic ear. Customer Service rep heard the whole story repeated, agreed the fact the dealers behavior was unacceptable (suggesting to drop the vehicle in an unmonitored back lot over the weekend to be broken into and defaced, when acknowledging that the car was delivered on Monday to have the nerve to ask if I had made an appointment when I had spoken to the service department about the matter on the Saturday prior, to not offering a loaner, to not even start looking at the car by Wednesday). She took the reins, called the dealer, gave them the business. Let me know that I could stop by to pick up my loaner. They started doing stuff with the car (Securialert messages). I stopped by in my lunch break, parked the rental Nissan Sentra, picked up the loaner (2016 Ford Focus). Let the dealer service rep know I wasn't thrilled with the choice of loaner, he said it was all he had, but assured me that if the repair took more than two weeks, he would get me into something different. This has already been an ordeal, but I returned my rental (which I had been paying out of pocket for, I expect reimbursement) and I have a serviceable loaner (still not thrilled) and they are actually working on the car. It's a start.

 

[BigMach-E]

Another small update, they have performed some diagnostic work, and are ordering parts. My contact with Ford Corporate will be reaching out to their parts manager to find out what parts are being ordered and will be expediting the process. Just gotta stay on top of this...

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

Thanks for keeping the updates coming.

 

[Jimrpa]

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.

Could you let us know what you see, without divulging any personally identifiable information, of course.

 

[DevSecOps]

Could you let us know what you see, without divulging any personally identifiable information, of course.

Nothing, because he never sent his VIN

 

[Alaskan_silent_pony]

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.

They're currently doing that with mine. Going through lemon law process here because that's exactly what's happened to mine. HVB doesn't want to come on after charge fault and multiple attempts to reset. Because that's not working, it's not charging the 12v. So 12v dies too. Dealers documenting everything they can. They brought it into their garage and let it warm up, charged the 12v and let it run a bit. Then did a 120amp charge station. Charge fault happened, HVB wouldn't come back on, and 12v died again. Then 12v wouldn't hold a charge anymore. So now have to order another 12v from Ford (this is battery #3.. ugh). They say scanner shows everything is passing and no codes other than charge fault show when it happens. They've ripped out all the cables from 12v and HVB along with HVB to charge station and waiting on replacements from those too. The only thing dealer thinks at this point is there's a wiring issue causing this trip.

Sorry to hear you're having the same issues @BiGmAcHe. I wouldnt wish it on anyone after I've been dealing with no Ziik (my mach-e) since November basically.

 

[agdad]

How or When will I get my free charging
Had my Mach e for a weel now...does it come as a card mailed or should the dealer have set it up ?

 

[Neil4Real]

How or When will I get my free charging
Had my Mach e for a weel now...does it come as a card mailed or should the dealer have set it up ?

You go online and create a Ford Pass account and you should see it under connected services. It’s the same login as the app, if you already have that.

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