2023 Lightning Lariat - Heater Not Working

[grizwizwg]

You all had great recs last time I had an issue (needed a reliable dealership for Lightning repairs), so I'm casting on this issue. My Lightning is only 6 months old, 3,829 miles. I live in Northern AZ and the temps hit the low 20s this week. I went to drive my Lightning to work and had 0 heat, freezing cold air coming out of the vents. I checked the climate screen, made sure the heat button was blue/activated, tried letting it run for 10 minutes, and tinkered with driver focused an/off...nothing worked.

Has anyone else run into this? It was working just fine around Christmas Eve, no idea what would have happened. I'm not having any screen warnings or app notifications. I don't mind taking it to the dealer, but figured there might be something simple going on.

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[Grumpy2]

Have you checked your coolant level? I don't know what work you had done at the dealer, but others without heat after module repairs have discovered a low coolant level.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Have you looked at the coolant level since your prior battery HVB service?

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...n-malfunction-reduced-power.22212/post-437255

 

[mrau]

Coolant level should be between Max and Min markers.

Always good to take a peek at when opening the frunk...at least weekly for first few months of new truck or any repairs.

The heat comes on pretty quick when working correctly. Usually just a minute or two it starts to get warm.

 

[grizwizwg]

Grumpy, Taxman, and mrau, you're geniuses! Taxman, no I did not look at the coolant post-battery module replacement. Grumpy, you were spot on with that, too. Mrau, I will be keeping an eye on this more often.

Tax, from your link and a few more searches on here, I see the plethora of evidence that this is a thing. We've had EVs (BMW i3, Teslas, Bolt) for 11 years and never encountered this. Is it because it's a truck and has a larger battery pack?

Adding some files of the coolant tax recommended, a couple pics of where my coolant is at as of this AM, and a pic of the invoice from the battery module repair that Chapman performed. Taxman, it looks like they used a different coolant, no? Or maybe it's the same coolant, but different mixed version? Y'all, I'm illiterate in all things vehicles.

Also, I ordered the following to remedy; does it look right? And, do I have to remove the 8-ish screws on the right side & remove that panel to access the coolant tank?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BNVK1NQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089YHW5HR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[mrau]

The coolant you ordered is correct. It is the pre-diluted jug, so do not add any water. Just pour directly into your reservoir tank.

Dealership likely used the type that had to be diluted with water. Same basic stuff but different part numbers.

Unfortunately you do have to remove the hand screws and right side panel to fill the tank.

 

[TaxmanHog]

. Is it because it's a truck and has a larger battery pack?

Service procedures NOT followed by your technician......................... they either skipped or abbreviated the evacuation procedures to get the majority of air out of the system when refilling after the battery service.

 

[Adventureboy]

Have you checked your coolant level? I don't know what work you had done at the dealer, but others without heat after module repairs have discovered a low coolant level.

This is also the case for some new Lightnings without repairs. Sometimes they get airlocks at the factory and the coolant needs to be topped up. My 2023 had an empty tank after a few thousand miles. Topped up and no issues since.

 

[grizwizwg]

This group has been a lifesaver/trucksaver. Any negative effects outside of a cold cabin from having low coolant levels for prolonged periods?

 

[Adventureboy]

This group has been a lifesaver/trucksaver. Any negative effects outside of a cold cabin from having low coolant levels for prolonged periods?

I think the cabin heater is at the top of the system so it is the first to be impacted by low coolant. As long as you get it topped up right away, there should be no issues. Rightfully so, the battery temp should come first and is well monitored by the truck.

 

[Tfarrell73]

Don't know why there isn't a low coolant alert

 

[grizwizwg]

Agree, Adventureboy. If the system prioritizes, I'm glad the battery is saved before creature comforts.

And concur, Tfarrell73. I wonder if they could do something with an OTA? Or in the app? Probably too much to ask. In the meantime, I'll be keeping an eye on that coolant level every time I open the frunk.

 

[grizwizwg]

I picked up 1 gallon of the VC-13DL-G today. I filled it to 1/2 way between the Min and Max, drove the truck around for about 30 minutes in a hilly area, and came back. Heat did not come back on and upon returning home, the coolant level is now just below the Min...like it had distributed a fair amount of what I added. For reference, high ambient temps are in the 30s and lows 19-20 degrees this week...with snow.

What do you think?

 

[TaxmanHog]

I picked up 1 gallon of the VC-13DL-G today. I filled it to 1/2 way between the Min and Max, drove the truck around for about 30 minutes in a hilly area, and came back. Heat did not come back on and upon returning home, the coolant level is now just below the Min...like it had distributed a fair amount of what I added. For reference, high ambient temps are in the 30s and lows 19-20 degrees this week...with snow.

What do you think?

You might want to have service look at it, the, circulator, PTC or Diverter valve might be malfunctioning, it should trip a code, especially if ambient temps are below freezing, the BMS wants to protect the health of the battery when charging in freezing conditions.

 

[Tfarrell73]

Add more. Probably trapped air.

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