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Ford Escape Hybrid Electrical & Lighting Problems

37 messages,  Last post on Jan 22, 2013 at 8:36 PM

You are in the Ford Escape Hybrid Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Escape Hybrid, Lights, Electrical, SUV

Messages Page 2 of 4

#7 of 37 Re: Intermittant Battery Drain [dsteak] by odoug

Jul 25, 2009 (3:16 pm)

Replying to: dsteak (Jun 16, 2009 1:33 pm)
did you find a solution?
i'm having the same problem

#8 of 37 Re: Intermittant Battery Drain [gracie01] by gpelletier

Nov 04, 2009 (2:59 pm)

Replying to: gracie01 (May 21, 2009 1:21 pm)
My car is in the shop right now for the same exact problem. I'm getting the battery replaced for the first time, but it started losing it's charge a couple of weeks ago. Due to unemployment, I have been staying more local and the car has been idle for periods of time. I have had it jumped, can drive for 2-3 days and then it dies again. Yesterday it was charged, I ran a few errands and it was fine and by the evening it was dead again. Unfortunately, I already have 80,000 miles so it is passed the warranty.

#9 of 37 Re: Intermittant Battery Drain [gracie01] by carysbluesky

Nov 04, 2009 (3:25 pm)

Replying to: gracie01 (May 21, 2009 1:21 pm)
First check your alternator. If its not charging, you now know the problem. If it charges and your battery is more than three years old, you're about due for a new 12 V battery. Remember, battery up front has nothing to do with the one that assists in powering your car. If you have an alarm and you don't drive long enough for the alternator to recharge the 12V batt. your battery will live less than normal; about three years depending on the temps and climate you live in. I.e., short trips in very hot Wx using your AC will shorten your battery's life. Again, the 300v batt. in the back has nothing to do with any of your electrical auto's needs other than to assist the drivetrain.

#10 of 37 Re: Intermittant Battery Drain [carysbluesky] by gpelletier

Nov 04, 2009 (4:40 pm)

Replying to: carysbluesky (Nov 04, 2009 3:25 pm)
Thanks, carybluesky! That was extremely useful information and sounds quite accurate for my situation. My battery was 3 years old so I had it replaced today. Hopefully, that will take care of the problem. I will check with the FORD Service Center and make sure they tested the alternator as you suggested. I will keep you all posted.

#11 of 37 Re: Intermittant Battery Drain [gracie01] by lindazilla

Dec 01, 2009 (7:13 pm)

Replying to: gracie01 (May 21, 2009 1:21 pm)
I have been dealing with this same problem on my 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid for the last few months. 12v battery has been replaced twice, car has been jumped multiple times, have yet to find a mechanic that can figure out where the battery drain is coming from. At the end of my rope with Ford at this point.

#12 of 37 Re: Intermittant Battery Drain [carysbluesky] by stevedebi

Dec 02, 2009 (9:20 am)

Replying to: carysbluesky (Nov 04, 2009 3:25 pm)
" Again, the 300v batt. in the back has nothing to do with any of your electrical auto's needs other than to assist the drivetrain. "
 
Not quite. The traction battery also starts the engine by spinning it up via the electric generator.
 
One interesting thing about the FEH is that the 12v battery is only needed to supply power to the electronics (when starting the vehicle) - it does not actually provide startup power.

#13 of 37 Re: Intermittant Battery Drain [gracie01] by carysbluesky

Dec 02, 2009 (9:44 am)

Replying to: gracie01 (May 21, 2009 1:21 pm)
Did you have an after market car alarm or any electronics installed? If so, you may find the culprit for the drain on your battery. It only takes one small bulb to drain your batt. in two days, especially if it's cold. It took over three months without use to drain my batt. A slow charge over six hrs brought it back to life; and, have no problems since.

#14 of 37 Re: Intermittant Battery Drain [stevedebi] by carysbluesky

Dec 02, 2009 (9:47 am)

Replying to: stevedebi (Dec 02, 2009 9:20 am)
You're really splitting hairs. Without juice to the starter relay, you have no start; and, the relay gets its power directly from the 12v batt.

#15 of 37 Re: Intermittant Battery Drain [carysbluesky] by stevedebi

Dec 11, 2009 (12:46 pm)

Replying to: carysbluesky (Dec 02, 2009 9:47 am)
"You're really splitting hairs. Without juice to the starter relay, you have no start; and, the relay gets its power directly from the 12v batt. "
 
Well, I was hoping to clarify the manner in which the FEH starts. On most vehicles the 12v battery turns a starter motor; thus the 12v battery starts the car. On the FEH the main traction battery starts the vehicle. It is also why the FEH won't start in Neutral. I hope my original post was clear that the 12v only powers up the electronics.
 
Page 235 of my 2008 owners manual has a procedure for jump starting the high voltage battery from the 12v battery, but there is no means to provide a jump start TO the 12v battery, an interesting omission.

#16 of 37 Car Alarm Going Off in Middle of Night/Morning by livelife4me

Jan 03, 2010 (8:34 am)

Thought I would post as this is the third time the car alarm has gone off in the middle of the night/morning. I'm awoken to the horn beeping and the lights flashing. No one is around the car trying to get in. When starting the car the next morning "passagener door adjar" message is in the display but the door (all the doors) is shut tight. My boss suggested the cold temp is making the alarm go off? Any thoughts or has the happened to anyone else? I live in Florida by the way and the temps have been getting quite low.

Messages Page 2 of 4

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