Try This First - Powertrain Malfunction / High-Voltage Battery Warning / Service Vehicle Soon While Charging

[ThatGuyLando]

This should have never been a bug. Does Ford even have a QA team?

Yes, it's us.

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[ThatGuyLando]

Correct, the fault handing on some of these errors isn't very good. The reset procedure is a workaround until the software can become more fault tolerant. I have suspicions 4.x software may be causing some kind of new charging glitch with a subset of EVSEs since there has been a sudden uptick in faults.

Suspected trigger EVSEs:
-Autel MaxiCharger (old firmware)
-ChargePoint public L2 stations

Interestingly enough the only charge faults I ever had disappeared after I updated my autel Maxichargers firmware. This was back in December, I'm glad autel pushed an update because I'm still waiting for @Ford Motor Company to get back to me on that one, they sure asked for a lot of info then never got back in touch...

 

[Logal727]

I’m confused why this is suddenly happening after an APIM update? Has nothing to do with charging systems

 

[vinny2487]

So best not to use public ChargePoint chargers at this point in time?

 

[Jimrpa]

Respectfully disagree. This is would be like your iPhone showing an error screen and refusing to function if you dial certain numbers. An error like this happened to me and ruined my night.

If this were a “Microsoft” problem show me ANY electric car that shows a powertrain malfunction if connected to the wrong charger? ANY. Even Nissan Leafs don’t have this issue.

I think you may not be following my analogy correctly. I said FORD is having a “Microsoft problem.” I have no idea what, if any, compatibility issues other manufacturers might have. Your argument is “My Microsoft laptop doesn’t work with Joe’s printer, but my Linux desktop does.” Well, that’s nice but it doesn’t mean that Linux works with everything or that there are some devices that your Linux desktop doesn’t work with, while your Microsoft laptop deals with them without issue.

 

[kennethjk]

Car threw a charge fault again wit Autel, software is updated,

worked fine for a couple of days

using ford supplied charger right now and seems to be working

edit: I unplugged router and restarted it at Autels suggestion and everything working again.

they said there was a communication failure with wireless and Autel EVSE, which makes no sense to me that , that issue would cause a charge failure. But seems to work right now.

one more time and I am asking for a new one.

 

[ckt]

Thanks for the tip, I'll try this if it happens again (will be 3rd time).

 

[devmach-e]

Imus

So best not to use public ChargePoint chargers at this point in time?

I wouldn’t go that far. We have a ton of ChargePoint stations at work (over 100 or so). I’ve had no trouble using them, even after getting 4.2.1 and 4.2.2 recently.

 

[ebeponyan]

Had this happen (last section of the Errors subheading, if you care) on an EA DCFC back in 2021. Same errors, same resolution as described here. On one hand, glad to see this thread providing context and troubleshooting steps to people in a potentially high stress situation, but also not so glad this is still happening two years later.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Car threw a charge fault again wit Autel, software is updated,

worked fine for a couple of days

using ford supplied charger right now and seems to be working

edit: I unplugged router and restarted it at Autels suggestion and everything working again.

they said there was a communication failure with wireless and Autel EVSE, which makes no sense to me that , that issue would cause a charge failure. But seems to work right now.

one more time and I am asking for a new one.

Bummer. This makes me appreciative of my 5 year old dumb EVSE. Plug it in, contactors close, electricity flows. Car tells it to stop, contactors open, electricity stops flowing.

 

[Jimrpa]

Bummer. This makes me appreciative of my 5 year old dumb EVSE. Plug it in, contactors close, electricity flows. Car tells it to stop, contactors open, electricity stops flowing.

And this is why I bought the much-maligned ford connected charge station. My logic is that Ford might actually do some testing with those for compatibility AND, if something ever goes sideways, Ford can just sit their and point fingers at themselves instead of ford blaming “Joe’s charging stations and fabric softener” and “Joe’s charging stations and fabric softener” blaming ford.

 

[AKgrampy]

And this is why I bought the much-maligned ford connected charge station. My logic is that Ford might actually do some testing with those for compatibility AND, if something ever goes sideways, Ford can just sit their and point fingers at themselves instead of ford blaming “Joe’s charging stations and fabric softener” and “Joe’s charging stations and fabric softener” blaming ford.

Does it have a frunk button?

 

[WikiMart]

This is interesting but on what basis did you come up with these instructions? Is this information from Ford, or just you dispensing advice?

If you were just charging your Mach-E and got these error messages:

• Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power
• High-Voltage Battery Warning
• Service vehicle soon

Please follow the steps below to reset your car before taking it to your dealer. The EVSE/charger you were using may have cause this error.

Powertrain / High Voltage Reset:

Perform steps exactly in this order.

1. Unplug the charger.
2. Turn OFF the car completely.
3. Open and close the driver's door.
4. All screens should go black.
5. Do not open or close any doors during the waiting period. You may sit inside the car if you don't touch anything.
6. WAIT A MINIMUM OF 5 MINUTES with the car unplugged and completely off (10 min recommended).
7. Press the brake and start the car. Observe if any error messages are still present in the instrument cluster after restarting.

If the error messages are gone, then they were likely a glitch caused by a charging fault, try again. You only need to take your car to the dealer if the "Service Vehicle Soon" message persists after the reset procedure was carried out correctly.

Second Charging Attempt:

1. Start the car and verify no error messages are shown on the display (see above for reset).
2. Authorize the charger if necessary (DC or public charging).
3. Insert the charger plug FULLY until it CLICKS with a firm push.
4. Immediately observe the charging indicator ring lights and verify they light up BLUE and begin pulsing.
5. If the indicator lights do not light up or turn RED, there is still a problem with the charging station or your car.
6. Move the car to a different charger, perform the above powertrain reset procedure again, and try charging again.

NOTE: The vehicle must be reset after each failed charging attempt that generates a powertrain fault.


Explanation: Certain charging stations or EVSEs can produce errors that cause the Mach-E to enter a "HV battery disabled" state. This state can only be cleared if the vehicle is unplugged and completely powered down for at least 5 minutes. These errors may be caused by a faulty EVSE, incompatible DC charging station, an incomplete plug connection, or failed HV components on the Mach-E. Fiddling with the gear shift knob without pressing the brake pedal can also cause a powertrain fault if you have outdated gear shifter software.

The fault could be with a particular EVSE, it may have a communication issue that requires a firmware update or replacement to solve. An OBCC module update may be required from your dealer to solve DC charging station compatibility issues.

 

[Mach-Lee]

This is interesting but on what basis did you come up with these instructions? Is this information from Ford, or just you dispensing advice?

Combination of service manual, personal experience, and knowing how the car works. I identified a need for this procedure after helping multiple people with their issues.

 

[SpartanZack]

As a datapoint, this happened to me a few months ago, with my JuiceBox. I didn't try this reset procedure specifically as I was unaware, but after a day of not using the car, the fault cleared the next time I started it. I took it to the dealership right away, after looking at it for a day they said the data indicates there was a fault with the charger, possibly a voltage drop. I had just gotten the outlet for it installed, had the electrician take a look and the city inspector too, neither saw any issues with it. Haven't seen the issue again, and haven't changed anything.

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