Motor Overheated and Disabled - [cracked coolant line]

[lightningforum6]

I was running around to some kid activities last night and all of a sudden the motor temperature gauge started to show that the motor was overheating. I was about halfway through a 25 mile drive. It kept bouncing between the normal midway point and being overheated for the remainder of the drive, even though the power was limited and I was going well below the speed limit to try to let the motor cool off. I got to my destination and the truck was able to sit for about an hour and a half before I needed to head back home with the kids. I was hoping that it was just a glitch, as I had run some errands around town earlier in the day and had no issue. I had also just gotten a software update notice for Ford Power-Up 4.2.4 during dinner.

On the drive back home, the temperature was holding steady at the midpoint for the first half of the drive and then it just shot up again out of nowhere. I stopped for a few minutes to let it cool back down and then limped it home through town. This time, in addition to the warnings that the motor and motor coolant were overheating and that power was limited, I also got messages that the front motor was disabled and that service was needed. The front motor reengaged and disabled a few times while I was driving through town at 10-15 miles/hour. Right as I pulled into the garage, the gauge went from orange to red.

I have included some of the messages that I received on the dash below.

I reached out to the local dealership this morning and they are saying that they cannot even look at it until late May. Some other dealers can look at it sooner (still probably a couple of days until they can look at it), but they are too far to drive to (about 25 miles) and I would need to get it towed to them. I have the extended warranty, so I should be able to get it towed in and get a loaner, but this is starting to look like it will be a big hassle. The dealership network for service is supposed to be one of the benefits of going with Ford, but it is not looking great so far.

@Ford Motor Company

 

[Pioneer74]

Have you checked the coolant overflow reservoir to see if it's low?

 

[lightningforum6]

Have you checked the coolant overflow reservoir to see if it's low?

I read suggestions about checking the coolant levels in another thread, but have not had time to check yet. I will update once I am able to check it.

 

[RickLightning]

I reached out to the local dealership this morning and they are saying that they cannot even look at it until late May. Some other dealers can look at it sooner (still probably a couple of days until they can look at it), but they are too far to drive to (about 25 miles) and I would need to get it towed to them. I have the extended warranty, so I should be able to get it towed in and get a loaner, but this is starting to look like it will be a big hassle. The dealership network for service is supposed to be one of the benefits of going with Ford, but it is not looking great so far.

@Ford Motor Company

Every Ford comes with 5 years of free Roadside Assistance. You will get free towing to the closest dealer. If there are multiple dealers, and one that can take it is just a few miles further, shouldn't be a big issue. Call Ford, ask for the BEV team, and open a case.

 

[msadan]

Just a guess of course but it seems more likely that this a sensor and / or wiring issue rather than an actual overheating issue. The temperature reading bouncing between normal and overheating is the clue. It’s very unlikely that the actual motor temperature would fluctuate that much that rapidly, particularly during normal driving.

 

[lightningforum6]

Just a guess of course but it seems more likely that this a sensor and / or wiring issue rather than an actual overheating issue. The temperature reading bouncing between normal and overheating is the clue. It’s very unlikely that the actual motor temperature would fluctuate that much that rapidly, particularly during normal driving.

The way the gauge was moving at first definitely made we wonder if the sensor was having issues. It acted more like I would expect for an actual heat issue on the return trip.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I was running around to some kid activities last night and all of a sudden the motor temperature gauge started to show that the motor was overheating. I was about halfway through a 25 mile drive. It kept bouncing between the normal midway point and being overheated for the remainder of the drive, even though the power was limited and I was going well below the speed limit to try to let the motor cool off. I got to my destination and the truck was able to sit for about an hour and a half before I needed to head back home with the kids. I was hoping that it was just a glitch, as I had run some errands around town earlier in the day and had no issue. I had also just gotten a software update notice for Ford Power-Up 4.2.4 during dinner.

On the drive back home, the temperature was holding steady at the midpoint for the first half of the drive and then it just shot up again out of nowhere. I stopped for a few minutes to let it cool back down and then limped it home through town. This time, in addition to the warnings that the motor and motor coolant were overheating and that power was limited, I also got messages that the front motor was disabled and that service was needed. The front motor reengaged and disabled a few times while I was driving through town at 10-15 miles/hour. Right as I pulled into the garage, the gauge went from orange to red.

I have included some of the messages that I received on the dash below.

I reached out to the local dealership this morning and they are saying that they cannot even look at it until late May. Some other dealers can look at it sooner (still probably a couple of days until they can look at it), but they are too far to drive to (about 25 miles) and I would need to get it towed to them. I have the extended warranty, so I should be able to get it towed in and get a loaner, but this is starting to look like it will be a big hassle. The dealership network for service is supposed to be one of the benefits of going with Ford, but it is not looking great so far.

@Ford Motor Company

Hi there. This motor concern doesn’t sound like something we want you to experience with your F-150 Lightning. Could you please send us a PM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer? I'd be happy to look into how I can assist you on my end.

 

[KevinSReed]

I had the overheating warning come on when still in my driveway (after the truck sat for 2 hours). (Lariat ER with 1,250 miles) It went away a couple hours later after I let it sit. I took it to my dealer, who kept the truck for 4 days, driving it each day to see if the problem reappeared - it didn't. You will find one or two other owners in this forum who have had similar problems (one of whom said it did not re-appear for another 3k miles). I suspect, like others, a sensor (or software?) issue since there is no way the 5 feet I drove would have overheated the engine. I am hopeful that Ford is tracking this problem and communicating with the various dealerships who have seen it. I worry, though, that the current approach is "wait to see if it happens again" which puts me at risk of ending where you did -- on the road and disabled.

 

[lightningforum6]

Update: We had the truck towed to an out of town dealer that could look at it far sooner than our local dealer. The issue was caused by cracks in the coolant line that allowed the coolant to leak out. Once they diagnosed the issue, they got us a loaner vehicle. They ordered the part, completed the repair, and we just got the truck back. The process was a bit more hassle than I would like, and we were without a vehicle for a few days, but overall it was not too bad since it only took about a week.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Update: We had the truck towed to an out of town dealer that could look at it far sooner than our local dealer. The issue was caused by cracks in the coolant line that allowed the coolant to leak out. Once they diagnosed the issue, they got us a loaner vehicle. They ordered the part, completed the repair, and we just got the truck back. The process was a bit more hassle than I would like, and we were without a vehicle for a few days, but overall it was not too bad since it only took about a week.

Glad you're up and running again much sooner than feared!!!!!

I wonder if that line is in position which is exposed to road debris, or a rare materials defect of your line.

 

[TaxmanHog]

I read suggestions about checking the coolant levels in another thread, but have not had time to check yet. I will update once I am able to check it.

Did you ever get a chance to see the level before it went into service, curious if it was fully depleted from the leak?

 

[Grumpy2]

This seems to be another example of low coolant that could have been caught early and fixed in a more scheduled way, without the consumer going thru all of their trouble, IF a simple sensor was added to the reservoir tank. Ford buried the tank under covers that they could not realistically expect a consumer would regularity remove just to check coolant level.

 

[lightningforum6]

I wonder if that line is in position which is exposed to road debris, or a rare materials defect of your line.

The service notes say the coolant lines are frame mounted and that the high voltage battery and body mounts were removed to replace the lines.

Did you ever get a chance to see the level before it went into service, curious if it was fully depleted from the leak?

Yes, I did check it before it was towed. I could not see any coolant in the reservoir (picture below).

This seems to be another example of low coolant that could have been caught early and fixed in a more scheduled way, without the consumer going thru all of their trouble, IF a simple sensor was added to the reservoir tank. Ford buried the tank under covers that they could not realistically expect a consumer would regularity remove just to check coolant level.

I agree that a sensor should be present. It would be nice to get a coolant levels low warning to hopefully avoid a situation like what happened.

 

[EdRudy]

My coolant level is currently, and has been since purchase, at the minimum level, hot or cold. Think I’ll stop by Ford and purchase a gallon soon!

 

[TaxmanHog]

My coolant level is currently, and has been since purchase, at the minimum level, hot or cold. Think I’ll stop by Ford and purchase a gallon soon!

Mine has been just a c/h below the low line while cool.

After today's towing drive of 70 miles with my 7x14 twin axle motorcycle trailer, I checked it and was at the low level line, so I let it cool a bit, then increased the level to midway between low and hot high. once it's cold in the morning, I will sharpie a mark for my new level and check it periodically.

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