scoopman
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July 4 -- updated with video of the failure (to music from Blippi playing at the time) and some detail on how the 70+% power reduction might feel
July 1 update -- see below for a little more analysis of my DCFC session and messages in FordPass with the new software.
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Iβm keeping this somewhat brief because I have been up since 5am this morning and had a great morning drive to LA turn into the first ever contactor failure with the new recall software (according to Ford). So that took only two days for my junction box to fry itself after the software protection.
My car has the recall software fix and was completely every-module updated in FDRS as of yesterday June 29th. I drove it on a road trip with my family from the Bay Area to LA, this is a little over 5 1/2 hours plus two 20-30-ish minute DCFC stops. There's some terrain as you pass over the Angeles National Forest on I-5 into LA area. I was driving keeping up with traffic generally 75-80mph. Definitely not driving like a maniac and I was in whisper mode.
My car made it almost out of the mountains before LA, about 10-15 minutes after the second DCFC (which was from SOC 55-80% because I wanted the buffer before hitting the mountains) before it failed with a new DTC for contactors. We were almost out of the mountains on the descent when it failed (just before Six Flags Magic Mountain -- for those familiar with the drive).
Here is the failure as it happened. Note I was going down a grade in the mountains, so I did not feel much effects of the drastic reduction in power until after pulling off the highway. You probably won't be as lucky. You can drive at highway speed, but your ability to react and change lanes etc will be very much different than the normal performance you are used to with an electric vehicle.
See photos below with your new, exciting, slightly less-catestrophic failure experience to look forward to -- with some tips. We were able to drive the car on local roads (Google Maps βavoid highwaysβ toggle FTW!) for an additional 1hr 37min to cover the 44mi to our hotel. From there I drove the car (after unloading my family and checking in) to the nearest Ford dealership all without turning the car off (see below for tips).
So Mach N Cheese is tucked in at the Alhambra Ford dealership for probably the next week, where very nice people from Ford are hopefully expediting the revised HVBJB to be installed starting Tuesday if all goes well. (Yes this dealer sorta looks like a taco stand -- without the tacos).
I have a full video on the fun (until it was not) roadtrip that Iβll be editing over the coming days, but some quick tips on what happens with this genius new software if it thinks your contactors are failing.
You get this message WHILE DRIVING:
No other information. But your power is then limited A LOT. Check out this power jail!
DTC codes I had:
Note you can clear these codes, and the car will pretend everything is great .... but really it is not. Don't kid yourself.
DO NOT turn off the car if you get this wrench warning, you have a danger that it wonβt turn on again and will be bricked. If you stop the car, much less turn it off, make sure you park nose-out because you very well might need a tow. Drive slowly, limiting power requested, to a dealership ASAP.
More later, but I gotta get some rest now that myself and my family have stopped safely now at our hotel Yes I had lots of expensive room service.
---------------
A little more from looking at FordPass.
And my two DCFC sessions:
Second charge below ended actually about 45 minutes I believe before the SVS (Service Vehicle Soon) code:
Again completely normal behavior we should be expected to do with these cars.
July 1 update -- see below for a little more analysis of my DCFC session and messages in FordPass with the new software.
----
Iβm keeping this somewhat brief because I have been up since 5am this morning and had a great morning drive to LA turn into the first ever contactor failure with the new recall software (according to Ford). So that took only two days for my junction box to fry itself after the software protection.
My car has the recall software fix and was completely every-module updated in FDRS as of yesterday June 29th. I drove it on a road trip with my family from the Bay Area to LA, this is a little over 5 1/2 hours plus two 20-30-ish minute DCFC stops. There's some terrain as you pass over the Angeles National Forest on I-5 into LA area. I was driving keeping up with traffic generally 75-80mph. Definitely not driving like a maniac and I was in whisper mode.
My car made it almost out of the mountains before LA, about 10-15 minutes after the second DCFC (which was from SOC 55-80% because I wanted the buffer before hitting the mountains) before it failed with a new DTC for contactors. We were almost out of the mountains on the descent when it failed (just before Six Flags Magic Mountain -- for those familiar with the drive).
Here is the failure as it happened. Note I was going down a grade in the mountains, so I did not feel much effects of the drastic reduction in power until after pulling off the highway. You probably won't be as lucky. You can drive at highway speed, but your ability to react and change lanes etc will be very much different than the normal performance you are used to with an electric vehicle.
See photos below with your new, exciting, slightly less-catestrophic failure experience to look forward to -- with some tips. We were able to drive the car on local roads (Google Maps βavoid highwaysβ toggle FTW!) for an additional 1hr 37min to cover the 44mi to our hotel. From there I drove the car (after unloading my family and checking in) to the nearest Ford dealership all without turning the car off (see below for tips).
So Mach N Cheese is tucked in at the Alhambra Ford dealership for probably the next week, where very nice people from Ford are hopefully expediting the revised HVBJB to be installed starting Tuesday if all goes well. (Yes this dealer sorta looks like a taco stand -- without the tacos).
I have a full video on the fun (until it was not) roadtrip that Iβll be editing over the coming days, but some quick tips on what happens with this genius new software if it thinks your contactors are failing.
You get this message WHILE DRIVING:
No other information. But your power is then limited A LOT. Check out this power jail!
DTC codes I had:
Note you can clear these codes, and the car will pretend everything is great .... but really it is not. Don't kid yourself.
DO NOT turn off the car if you get this wrench warning, you have a danger that it wonβt turn on again and will be bricked. If you stop the car, much less turn it off, make sure you park nose-out because you very well might need a tow. Drive slowly, limiting power requested, to a dealership ASAP.
More later, but I gotta get some rest now that myself and my family have stopped safely now at our hotel Yes I had lots of expensive room service.
---------------
A little more from looking at FordPass.
And my two DCFC sessions:
Second charge below ended actually about 45 minutes I believe before the SVS (Service Vehicle Soon) code:
Again completely normal behavior we should be expected to do with these cars.
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