Battery Overheat During DC Fast Charging

[blazetke]

Has anyone else had this issue, if so, how did you resolve it?

So I’ve had this issue once before last June and I took it to the dealership, that claimed to fix it with a software update. Between then and now I did not have a need to take it to a DC fast charger. The dealership for the first run of this said my truck had over a dozen

It does not have this issue with Level 2 chargers.

Fast forward to this weekend, on a road trip, I had to use a supercharger and it overheated again during charging. The temperature rose and power generation dropped. Charger speed also dropped; assuming to protect the battery.

I took it back to the dealership who connected it to their DC charger and could not replicate the issue (though it had happened to me the day prior) and no faults were displayed for the truck.

They are now telling me that I may be causing this issue due to leaving the truck running (power on for HVAC) during fast charging.

I hope to get some insight into this issue.

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[RickLightning]

They are full of crap. Check your coolant level.

 

[DavidS]

At 100F, I don’t think it’s impossible for the Lightning to hit thermal limits while charging. Were you in normal or sport or tow/haul mode while driving? In normal mode, I’m guessing the battery wouldn’t have cooled down a lot between charging stations. Was the Temple TX your first charge of the day? On a hot day, I have seen elevated temperature and slower charging by the second and definitely third charging stop.

 

[jamelski]

I dcfc in over 100 with AC set to LO and never have an issue. Your coolant is low or another issue.

 

[Heliian]

This happened to me once last summer. The fan never kicked in, there were other reports of it too. It's a software issue but not consistent or reproduceable.

 

[potato]

Do you have max tow? I think I read that others with similar issues have sometimes traced it to mechanical problems with the extra cooling system that cools the battery. There's a separate compressor, and its own coolant loop with pumps and valves etc. Lots of stuff that can break.

I would try and find a better dealer tbh

 

[RocketGhost]

I will note that it's not overheating (dangerous/damaging condition), the truck will stop charging altogether before that happens.

I agree with others that there's likely something wrong.

It may be helpful to try again in the same conditions but leave the HVAC completely off. That way when you take it back to the dealer you can tell them that you have demonstrated that having the HVAC on is not the issue.

Without a scanner the only things you can really check are the coolant level, fan running, shutters open, and condenser not blocked.

As an aside, I hope you have an extended warranty.

 

[pirate4x4lance]

I DC charge in 100++ temps often and always leave the AC running. Never have had it get that hot. Gotta be something wrong with yours.

 

[branden]

This is not normal and your truck likely has some sort of problem.
here's testing I did: https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...al-envelope-testing-optimize-your-dcfc.38711/

 

[Zprime29]

Probably a leak or problem with the fans. Similar issue reported here:
https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...ing-derating-significantly-on-hot-days.20209/

I believe we had confirmation that coolant leaks fall under the battery 100k mile warranty, so don't let the dealer charge you for it. I'd contact the BEV hotline and get a case number to help get it fixed since the original *fix* didn't fix it.

 

[blazetke]

Thank you all for the responses. I was driving in normal mode, not towing. AC was set to 70. Temple was the first charge of the day. Fortunately, I do have the extended warranty, but I am going to contest the copay on it as they did not resolve the issue when I took it in back in June for the same issue.

 

[B177y]

Thank you all for the responses. I was driving in normal mode, not towing. AC was set to 70. Temple was the first charge of the day. Fortunately, I do have the extended warranty, but I am going to contest the copay on it as they did not resolve the issue when I took it in back in June for the same issue.

The battery cooling can/should be covered under the 8yr/100k warranty instead of the extended warranty since it is specifically dealing with the battery and HV system.

I seem to remember older posts where the writer had to push the issue but was successful in linking it to the HV system and HV warranty. Your experience with your dealer so far makes me think you may also need to "educate" them.

 

[Zprime29]

The battery cooling can/should be covered under the 8yr/100k warranty instead of the extended warranty since it is specifically dealing with the battery and HV system.

I seem to remember older posts where the writer had to push the issue but was successful in linking it to the HV system and HV warranty. Your experience with your dealer so far makes me think you may also need to "educate" them.

This is my recollection as well. It's a sad truth that the customer has to educate the provider, but here we are.

 

[blazetke]

I am hoping the next gen Lightning will come with better dealer education.

 

[CrisB02]

Has anyone noticed that the battery temp is passed the middle mark while driving? I noticed it but my coolant level was low but the gauge still sits passed the middle. It is still normal, but it has taken over a year for it to show this issue. Last summer was hot and it didn't go passed the middle of the gauge.

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