Red Ring & a Long Tow Home

[chl]

Update here. So I eventually took the truck in to a local dealer because I couldn't ever get it to DC fast charge again. They told me that they replaced the "charging harness". It was covered under warranty which is good. Attached is the invoice/service notes. Got the truck back and was able to successfully fast charge. Once at a Tesla Supercharger and once at an EVGo location.

Fast forward to today. Wanted to test it again and both (Tesla and EVGo) failed. The truck told me it was a Vehicle Charging Fault and that I should service the vehicle soon. It was over a 100 degrees and the battery temp gauge was showing slightly over the midpoint. Planning on taking the truck back in tomorrow morning to see if they can figure it out. If any of this makes sense to anyone and has advise, I would appreciate it. Love the truck and its worked great for me for about a year and half. But I need a vehicle that I can reliably take on road trips from time to time. Even if it is hot outside.

Hmmm...

The charge port and cable are the usual suspects.

Next on my list would be the on-board L2 AC-DC and DC-DC charger circuitry if it were an L2 issue.

But since it is DC charging...I was thinking something in the communication between the DC charger and the truck is failing and there is a stuck fault code?

So I was going to suggest doing the 12v disconnect to clear any fault codes that might persist, but if they were able to charge after the parts replacement, I don't know...

You could try it though: "Remove the negative terminal from the 12v battery, leave off for 5 minutes, reattach, you may need to manually close the Frunk and test first opening with the cabin button near the steering wheel."

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Another couple of owners had a DC fast charging issue, and it turned out to be an actuator that locks the DC connector (is that part of the charge port your dealership replaced?) see this thread

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/dc-charging-fault-151-miles-away-from-home.16384/

and this one:

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...rger-not-connecting-post-27-resolution.16549/

Here's an excerpt from the first thread:

"Got the truck back today. The fault was with the actuator to hold in the connector during DCFC.... It ended up being the actuator that “locks” the DC connector. Back to normal...."

And from the second thread:

"Resolution: I got my truck back yesterday from the Ford Dealership - yes, they confirmed this is a known issue with the Lightnings - they replaced my charge port actuator, and now I can DC fast charge at my local EA charger without a problem..."

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The technical service bulletin from the first thread shows the replacement of the actuator on page 6.
There were two PDFs associated with those thread the TSB aand another, and I attached them.

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[chl]

Also found this:

If the actuator: The small electrical actuator component (OEM part LJ9Z-10D737-A) can suffer mechanical or electrical failure internally.

If the actuator motor is completely dead, the assembly must be replaced. Check with your dealer regarding Ford technical service bulletins (such as TSB 22-2355 / 23-2014 or Field Service Action 24B14) which cover replacement procedures for faulty lock actuators.

If a communication issue: Ford's Powertrain Control Modules can register a persistent diagnostic fault code (DTC) and cut power to the actuator circuitry following a failed handshake.

NOTE: To prevent repeat concerns with the charge port lock actuator, fully depress the charge port
lock/release button before disconnecting the charge cord. (Figure 1) The charge port lock actuator may also
be released by utilizing the vehicle's center display screen menu or depressing the release button located on
the level 3 direct current (DC) fast charger.

 

[Cosmo]

When you plug in to DC fast charge, does it give you red rings instantly or charge for a bit and then do the red rings?

My truck gave me the red rings one time in the heat. It charged about 25% before it gave the red rings. It was at a Tesla version 3 sight and was really hot and humid. It was also the third DC charge of the day for me. I think my issue was heat related and am wondering if yours is too?

 

[TaxmanHog]

Part was swapped, it should have addressed an interlock issue if that was a root problem.

https://www.tascaparts.com/search?search_str=rl3z-14a303-c

 

[TaxmanHog]

When you plug in to DC fast charge, does it give you red rings instantly or charge for a bit and then do the red rings?

My truck gave me the red rings one time in the heat. It charged about 25% before it gave the red rings. It was at a Tesla version 3 sight and was really hot and humid. It was also the third DC charge of the day for me. I think my issue was heat related and am wondering if yours is too?

Which 'BRAND' of NACS/DCFC charging adapter are you using ?

 

[Zprime29]

Heat is likely not the problem, unless you don't hear the fan kick on for the cooling. Truck should sound similar to when you have cabin A/C on max. I've charged in temps over 110F, it's slower than ideal but it charges fine.

If it only happens at NACS, yeah I would also suspect it's the adapter. But if it is also happening with CCS1 plugs, probably not the case.

What's the part in those notes about the clock release actuator on backorder, what does that do?

 

[KevinG011]

When you plug in to DC fast charge, does it give you red rings instantly or charge for a bit and then do the red rings?

My truck gave me the red rings one time in the heat. It charged about 25% before it gave the red rings. It was at a Tesla version 3 sight and was really hot and humid. It was also the third DC charge of the day for me. I think my issue was heat related and am wondering if yours is too?

The red ring appears pretty much instantly. No charging is occurring. And I rarely need to DC fast charge. I was testing it out because I knew I have had these issues and was planning to take it out of town soon.

 

[KevinG011]

Which 'BRAND' of NACS/DCFC charging adapter are you using ?

I am using the official Ford adapter. But I was having this problem at the Tesla site and an EVGo site where an adapter is not needed.

 

[KevinG011]

Heat is likely not the problem, unless you don't hear the fan kick on for the cooling. Truck should sound similar to when you have cabin A/C on max. I've charged in temps over 110F, it's slower than ideal but it charges fine.

If it only happens at NACS, yeah I would also suspect it's the adapter. But if it is also happening with CCS1 plugs, probably not the case.

What's the part in those notes about the clock release actuator on backorder, what does that do?

I'm not sure. Whish they could explain it to me! I just dropped the truck off at the same dealership. Their "EV Expert" was there and we spoke for a bit. He did not leave me with the impression that he was an expert. He said that these EV's charge sometimes and sometimes they dont. And essentially said that these cars arent made for road trips. He also started looking at the notes and said that they replaced the high voltage battery. Which they did not. That would have been a much bigger ordeal of course. I live in Austin, TX which is one of the bigger cities in the country, and I see at least one other Lightning on the road every day. I just wish there was a local dealer that knew what they were talking about with these things.

 

[Zprime29]

I'm not sure. Whish they could explain it to me! I just dropped the truck off at the same dealership. Their "EV Expert" was there and we spoke for a bit. He did not leave me with the impression that he was an expert. He said that these EV's charge sometimes and sometimes they dont. And essentially said that these cars arent made for road trips. He also started looking at the notes and said that they replaced the high voltage battery. Which they did not. That would have been a much bigger ordeal of course. I live in Austin, TX which is one of the bigger cities in the country, and I see at least one other Lightning on the road every day. I just wish there was a local dealer that knew what they were talking about with these things.

That's not confidence inspiring at all. Have you tried calling the BEV hotline to seek better assistance?

An EV tech making those kind of claims....wow. I would have asked for my truck back on the spot and gone somewhere else.

 

[Cosmo]

Which 'BRAND' of NACS/DCFC charging adapter are you using ?

Mine is the Ford adapter

 

[TaxmanHog]

I am using the official Ford adapter. But I was having this problem at the Testa sight and an EVGo site where an adapter is not needed.

Mine is the Ford adapter

For each of you, look at the DC pins on the truck side of the port, are they uniform with no damage?

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I'm not sure. Whish they could explain it to me! I just dropped the truck off at the same dealership. Their "EV Expert" was there and we spoke for a bit. He did not leave me with the impression that he was an expert. He said that these EV's charge sometimes and sometimes they dont. And essentially said that these cars arent made for road trips. He also started looking at the notes and said that they replaced the high voltage battery. Which they did not. That would have been a much bigger ordeal of course. I live in Austin, TX which is one of the bigger cities in the country, and I see at least one other Lightning on the road every day. I just wish there was a local dealer that knew what they were talking about with these things.

Want to shoot me over your VIN and I can have some people take a look?

 

[KevinG011]

Want to shoot me over your VIN and I can have some people take a look?

Want to shoot me over your VIN and I can have some people take a look?

Just sent you a direct message. Thanks!

 

[KevinG011]

For each of you, look at the DC pins on the truck side of the port, are they uniform with no damage?

Truck is at the dealer now but I did look at it recently and everything looks good as far as I can tell. Nothing looks bent or broken.

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