Mobile Charger Issue - Amber Light on 240V

[NmbrsNvrLie]

Not an electrical expert, but my Ford Mobile charger won't charge my F150L using the 240V outlet. It was charging fine for the first month, but having issues with it now. It will show Blue like it's ready to charge, then I plug it in, the charging starts to initiate, and the light on the charger goes to Amber and stops working. I recall having similar issues with my Mach-E, but got the charger replaced under warranty and never happened again. Dealer has already replaced this charger under warranty and it didn't solve the issue for even one day.

I've also got a Clipper Creek unit that we use for a second plug-in and that charges the F150L without any issue on the exact same outlet. After reading some more of the user manual, I think the Ford mobile charger might be overheating. I do live in Dallas and certainly that's not helping things right now, but not sure if the outlet itself is getting too hot. I have charging access at work as well, so can make due until I get my Rivian and decide which I'm keeping. Might even install the FCSP if I am going to stick with the Lightning.

Just thought I'd ask the group if there's a fix to try (besides all the unplug / replug attempts I've done) since I know some of you are damn near electrical engineers. Cheers.

Sponsored

 

[Shutuplegs]

I had a similar issue with my Tesla mobile charger at first. It turned out to be a ground issue on my 240v outlet. My father in law is an electrician and said grounds can be sensitive. He fixed it for me luckily.

 

[jefro]

Good place to start
Shutuplegs
.

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

Dealer has already replaced this charger under warranty and it didn't solve the issue for even one day

Dealer already replaced the one that came with your Lightning? And that one didn't work at all?

 

[jefro]

One EVSE bad sure, two well gets less likely. I'd look at supply issue.

 

[Maquis]

Amber light means overheating. Either the plug or EVSE itself. Many have reported this issue even though no excessive heat was present. It is a common problem with the FMC. Numerous reports of this on the Mach-E forum as well.

 

[NmbrsNvrLie]

So first step is check the outlet? My clipper creek works fine on the same 240v outlet. Wouldn’t that indicate it’s the FMC? Perhaps it just sucks and I should get another 3rd party charger?

 

[LUXMAN]

My buddy had an issue with his Tesla Mobile unit doing that intermittently. Turned out to be a loose ground wire on his outlet. Tesla replaced the unit and the second one did the same thing, like it was getting overheated and that is when he found the loose ground.

 

[beatle]

Not all connectors have thermistors at the plug, and they can allow the receptacle to overheat. If your Clipper Creek connector doesn't have one, it could allow you to charge in spite of a dangerous overheating condition at the plug that could melt it.

I'd pick up an IR thermometer to check. They're pretty cheap these days and are useful for other things.

 

[NmbrsNvrLie]

So I pulled the outlet today and wiring was totally fine. Also no excessive heat at all. The amber light comes on on the mobile connector as soon as it’s plugged in. Clipper creeek again is totally fine. Any chance it’s just some defect in the Ford Mobile charger? Can always just buy a third party charger.

 

[jefro]

https://www.macheclub.com/threads/ford-mobile-charger-amber-fault-indicator-light.4201/

 

[Nuts&volts]

For what it’s worth, I just had this issue. I checked my outlet, and sure enough the ground had come loose. Fixed it up and now my charger is working fine.

Sponsored