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Ford Escape Hybrid Battery Pack Questions

56 messages,  Last post on Aug 10, 2011 at 5:43 PM

You are in the Ford Escape Hybrid Forum.

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

Messages Page 3 of 6

#17 of 56 Battery problems? by dhc1

May 14, 2008 (7:52 pm)

Have a 2006 FEH with 40000 miles. No problems until today. Went to start car this morning but not enough charge to start ICE. Checked 12Volt and it was down to 8.5 volts. Recharged 12V using battery charger and engine started easily. But after turning off engine and removing key the continual clicking of a relay could be heard in the engine compartment. After about 3 hours battery was again to low to start car. Hadn't noticed any problems previously, high voltage system was kicking in as normal. Any suggestions?

#18 of 56 Re: Battery problems? [dhc1] by mecheng1

May 15, 2008 (6:36 am)

Replying to: dhc1 (May 14, 2008 7:52 pm)
Have the DC to DC downconverter checked by the dealer. I believe it charges the 12V battery. It is one of the "hybrid" unique components covered under the 100k warranty.

#19 of 56 EV MODE PROBLEM by tpaul

Jun 16, 2008 (11:20 pm)

Just brought an 06 Escape Hybrid. The only time the car switches to EV mode is during the the first half hour or so of driving. The rest of the day ICE continues to run even when stopped or when driving under 20 mph. Even when it is working during the first half hour of the first drive of the day, it does not do so as expected, under 25mph, instead it kicks into EV mode at 15 -20 mph. Also, the needle on the gauge at the left which indicates assist and charge never moves. We make sure that the AC is off so that is not the problem. Millage on the car is 56,000. Any ideas? Has anyone else had a similar problem and a possible resolution?

#20 of 56 Re: EV MODE PROBLEM [tpaul] by mecheng1

Jun 17, 2008 (7:00 am)

Replying to: tpaul (Jun 16, 2008 11:20 pm)
The PCM (computer) is definitely getting a signal that is telling it not to use EV. There are many many reasons the FEH will switch out of EV, even at 15-20 mph.
Throttle position
HVBattery State of Charge
Brake pedal positon
Heater Controls Positon (and of the red positions)
Gear Shift Lever position
 
I would try driving in L for awhile to see if it makes a difference. Then it might be worth it to see if someone can see if there are any fault codes registered in the FEH computer.

#21 of 56 Re: EV MODE PROBLEM [mecheng1] by tpaul

Jun 17, 2008 (5:49 pm)

Replying to: mecheng1 (Jun 17, 2008 7:00 am)
Computer has been checked out,tried it in low,everything is off,battery is charged. Only works in the morning,but as soon as things warm up,EV stops stops working. To bad Ca. Lemon Law doesn't apply to used cars.

#22 of 56 Re: EV MODE PROBLEM [tpaul] by mecheng1

Jun 18, 2008 (1:40 pm)

Replying to: tpaul (Jun 17, 2008 5:49 pm)
"Computer has been checked out..", does that mean it has no DTCs or diagnostic codes stored? A dealer or a mechanic with an OBD II tester should be able to search the computer brain of the vehicle for "errors" or "out of range" readings the computer has seen.

#23 of 56 Re: EV MODE PROBLEM [mecheng1] by grecni

Aug 27, 2008 (7:00 am)

Replying to: mecheng1 (Jun 18, 2008 1:40 pm)
I've been having this exact same problem for months with my 06. After 1/2 hour or less of driving the vehicle will no longer go into EV mode. I've taken it into the local Ford dealer and the "hybrid" expert states there is nothing in the computer and "this is normal behavior", which I know from 3 years of driving that this is nothing like normal. Unfortunately if the computer doesn't tell him what to do he has no idea how to think independently and troubleshoot.

#24 of 56 Re: EV MODE PROBLEM [tpaul] by grecni

Aug 27, 2008 (7:05 am)

Replying to: tpaul (Jun 17, 2008 5:49 pm)
tpaul, Were you ever able to get this problem resolved?

#25 of 56 Re: EV MODE PROBLEM [grecni] by stevedebi

Aug 27, 2008 (1:36 pm)

Replying to: grecni (Aug 27, 2008 7:00 am)
"I've been having this exact same problem for months with my 06. After 1/2 hour or less of driving the vehicle will no longer go into EV mode."
 
I'm not sure you want to go to this much trouble, but you might buy a ScanGuage 2 and hook it up. It has setting for hybrid vehicles and you can program it to tell you things like the battery state of charge & etc. If the battery stops taking a charge that would be information to take to the dealer.
 
Also, I have heared of some people having issues with the battery door not opening correctly, although this is supposed to throw a computer code. If the battery is not receiving air or A/C, it may be too hot. The ScanGuage can tell you a lot of info, plus it can read computer codes if they occur.
 
I'm currently saving my pennies to buy one...

#26 of 56 Re: EV MODE PROBLEM [grecni] by grecni

Aug 29, 2008 (5:02 am)

Replying to: grecni (Aug 27, 2008 7:00 am)
Well I called the service manager at my local Ford Dealer and expained why there really was a problem. I brought the vehicle back in and let it running until I could bring the hybrid specialist out to see it. It was in the mid 70's, the air was off, the vehicled parked and not in EV mode. He agreed it was not working properly.
 
The next day they called and said it was the battery pack, that it was not recharging properly and they were ordering a replacement. It will be mid next week before it arrives and it get installed but at least this is a step in the right direction.
 
Luckily the battery pack is still under warranty because they said it was a $10,000 part.

Messages Page 3 of 6

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