I can’t take this again

[Tyleem111]

I got an electrical system drain notification in the ford app last night. Tried to start the truck later that day, about 2:30pm and the center display wouldn’t turn on, all the instrument cluster lights were flashing and the shifter light was blinking. Not even enough power to lock or unlock doors. I put a battery charger on the 12v and the truck was able to go into accessory mode and turn on. However, I kept hearing a clicking noise, like a relay turning on and off every 15-30 seconds. It was coming from the drivers side frunk area under the driver’s windshield wiper motor/frunk lift strut area. I did just get the 4.2.4 update 4/28/23, not sure if it’s related or not. Called ford dealer and no one would talk to me, they said “we will have a service advisor call you”. Well no call. What if this happened not at home? @Ford Motor Company can you please help?

see video of behavior

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[MRButtler]

I got an electrical system drain notification in the ford app last night. Tried to start the truck later that day, about 2:30pm and the center display wouldn’t turn on, all the instrument cluster lights were flashing and the shifter light was blinking. Not even enough power to lock or unlock doors. I put a battery charger on the 12v and the truck was able to go into accessory mode and turn on. However, I kept hearing a clicking noise, like a relay turning on and off every 15-30 seconds. It was coming from the drivers side frunk area under the driver’s windshield wiper motor/frunk lift strut area. I did just get the 4.2.4 update 4/28/23, not sure if it’s related or not. Called ford dealer and no one would talk to me, they said “we will have a service advisor call you”. Well no call. What if this happened not at home? @Ford Motor Company can you please help?

see video of behavior

Try charging the 12v battery. It's a weak link. It powers everything except the motors, so it may have drained while getting the update.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I got an electrical system drain notification in the ford app last night. Tried to start the truck later that day, about 2:30pm and the center display wouldn’t turn on, all the instrument cluster lights were flashing and the shifter light was blinking. Not even enough power to lock or unlock doors. I put a battery charger on the 12v and the truck was able to go into accessory mode and turn on. However, I kept hearing a clicking noise, like a relay turning on and off every 15-30 seconds. It was coming from the drivers side frunk area under the driver’s windshield wiper motor/frunk lift strut area. I did just get the 4.2.4 update 4/28/23, not sure if it’s related or not. Called ford dealer and no one would talk to me, they said “we will have a service advisor call you”. Well no call. What if this happened not at home? @Ford Motor Company can you please help?

see video of behavior

Good morning! I would be glad to help you out with these electrical issues. Just shoot us a direct message with your VIN and dealer name/location, and I'll get right on it. Thank you!

 

[4Reeley]

I get the "Electrical System Drain Service Required" message from time to time. Dealer "Performed Battery Minder Reset" and said it was fixed. I got the message again 2 days later.

Here's a new one below from last night which was paired with the drain message. The craziest thing is - I only get these darn electrical drain messages, and now the "plug in" message, WHEN THE TRUCK IS LITERALLY PLUGGED INTO THE FCSP, waiting to charge during its preferred time (12am-6am).

Sometimes it goes into deep sleep mode, then misses my scheduled charge window, which is probably the most frustrating aspect of the whole situation.

I don't have any aftermarket accessories. I sometimes leave a phone charger plugged into the USB but not charging anything.

 

[astricklin]

I get the "Electrical System Drain Service Required" message from time to time. Dealer "Performed Battery Minder Reset" and said it was fixed. I got the message again 2 days later.

Here's a new one below from last night which was paired with the drain message. The craziest thing is - I only get these darn electrical drain messages, and now the "plug in" message, WHEN THE TRUCK IS LITERALLY PLUGGED INTO THE FCSP, waiting to charge during its preferred time (12am-6am).

Sometimes it goes into deep sleep mode, then misses my scheduled charge window, which is probably the most frustrating aspect of the whole situation.

I don't have any aftermarket accessories. I sometimes leave a phone charger plugged into the USB but not charging anything.

Make sure the 12 volt battery cables are tight and then check the body connection side of the negative cable if you can see it. I'd have the dealer start checking the grounding points and make sure they are all clean and secure and then replace the 12 volt battery as well.

 

[G-Zeus]

replace the 12 volt battery as well.

This seems to be what's needed for me. I can charge my LVB for a week, and within a day I'm getting that "electrical drain" message. And if the truck isn't plugged in, then I get the "plug in to maintain 12V battery" message. This LVB just can't hold a charge. The nearest EV dealer is a bit of a hike away, but after all of these comments I think it's time to call them up and see if they would just be willing to warranty the battery and move on... because I don't want to have my truck sitting there for hours or days while they scratch their heads, or worse do a simple diagnostic or reset and send me home, only to have the issue happen again.

 

[astricklin]

This seems to be what's needed for me. I can charge my LVB for a week, and within a day I'm getting that "electrical drain" message. And if the truck isn't plugged in, then I get the "plug in to maintain 12V battery" message. This LVB just can't hold a charge. The nearest EV dealer is a bit of a hike away, but after all of these comments I think it's time to call them up and see if they would just be willing to warranty the battery and move on... because I don't want to have my truck sitting there for hours or days while they scratch their heads, or worse do a simple diagnostic or reset and send me home, only to have the issue happen again.

Its just like any other lead acid 12v. Once it gets too low it's permanently damaged. A lot of these trucks have been sitting around for a long time and with all the electronic systems in them, there's a lot higher drain on the 12v system even when the truck is 'off'.
Why automakers can't manage to resolve 12v battery issues in EVs is beyond me. It seems to be a problem with almost all of them. Ford needs to start putting lithium 12v batteries into their EVs and that should help but probably not totally eliminate issues. At least those won't be dead if they get drained.

 

[Labs4Lightning]

This seems to be what's needed for me. I can charge my LVB for a week, and within a day I'm getting that "electrical drain" message. And if the truck isn't plugged in, then I get the "plug in to maintain 12V battery" message. This LVB just can't hold a charge. The nearest EV dealer is a bit of a hike away, but after all of these comments I think it's time to call them up and see if they would just be willing to warranty the battery and move on... because I don't want to have my truck sitting there for hours or days while they scratch their heads, or worse do a simple diagnostic or reset and send me home, only to have the issue happen again.

Dealer swapped out mine, not for your issue. This has been a fairly common warranty item.

 

[MRButtler]

 

[intensifi]

Had this happen on the Mach E. The cause was one of the fobs had been left on the table adjacent to the garage. The car was just cycling the walk away auto lock but wait let’s get ready for the approaching owner.

we moved the fob to its normal location and all was well.

 

[kvasiir]

I've started getting these messages daily again. I had this happen once before and they replaced my 12 V battery. Seems like a chronic problem... I do have a couple of aftermarket add-ons, but nothing heavy load. The messages keep coming once I disconnect that stuff, anyway.

Booooooooooooo. Service appointment tomorrow morning to demand satisfaction. Sigh.

 

[G-Zeus]

I've started getting these messages daily again. I had this happen once before and they replaced my 12 V battery. Seems like a chronic problem... I do have a couple of aftermarket add-ons, but nothing heavy load. The messages keep coming once I disconnect that stuff, anyway.

Booooooooooooo. Service appointment tomorrow morning to demand satisfaction. Sigh.

I‘m interested to lean the outcome of your next service appointment. I have the same messages, 2-3x daily - now more with the 12v battery warning on top of the electrical drain message. Hesitant to take it to the dealer for them to scratch their heads for several hours/days, especially if you had your 12V battery replaced and are still getting the issue. Wonder if there is some sort of discharge happening, how they would diagnose and test that, and if there is a bigger issue on some of the trucks?

 

[kvasiir]

I‘m interested to lean the outcome of your next service appointment. I have the same messages, 2-3x daily - now more with the 12v battery warning on top of the electrical drain message. Hesitant to take it to the dealer for them to scratch their heads for several hours/days, especially if you had your 12V battery replaced and are still getting the issue. Wonder if there is some sort of discharge happening, how they would diagnose and test that, and if there is a bigger issue on some of the trucks?

Got it back at lunchtime today. When I texted to ask what they did, I just got:

Various modules were reprogrammed due to high network circuit present

The paperwork says:

DUE TO MULTIPLE DTC ON OTHER MODULES OTHER THAN BCM. PERFORMED UPDATED PCM, ABS, AND ALL RELATIVE MODULES TO LATEST SOFTWARE LEVEL.

Nothing else of interest, really:

PERFORMED BATTERY DRAW TEST OK WITH IN SPEC

As far as I can tell they did not replace the battery this time. We'll see what happens going forward....

 

[Mike G]

I think the OTA threshold is 90% on 12v.. change it to 70% or so. They can also set the 12v to charge more often from the HVB. It’s nothing cosmic according to some Ford-engineers I’ve chatted with. They are aware of the issues as well as poor quality 12v batteries Ford sourced.

80% for OTAs to succeed.

And as a user of FDRS can you tell me where in the toolbox section I can find the routine to set the LVB to charge greater than that?

 

[G-Zeus]

Got it back at lunchtime today. When I texted to ask what they did, I just got:


The paperwork says:


Nothing else of interest, really:


As far as I can tell they did not replace the battery this time. We'll see what happens going forward....

Ok interesting. So they basically connected to the truck and ran some module updates. I have already been doing that from home, and still have the issue.

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