What would we call this Issue?

[roddiaz1]

So, after five months and 5,000 miles, my Lightning is toast.
I didn't get any error messages like the powertrain failure or battery temperature.
But last night the charge cycle did not complete and this morning the vehicle was inoperative.
The vehicle was already powered up at 8:00AM and when I pushed the Start button I got a bevy of error messages, like blind spot was inoperative and all the other driver assistance features. One by one they all cycled as unavailable. After "OK"ing all of them, I tried to go into Drive, but NO! I can't move the shifter lever. Also, all the chimes where different and there was a definite buzzing sound coming from the LVB/frunk area.

I tried three of four times, but to no avail, same result each time.

I tried disconnecting the LVB and charging it. It was at 12.7v, but I charged it up to 12.9V just in case. After about 30 minutes I reconnected and got the exact same error messages. I did notice that the first thing that comes up on the Synch4A is "Passcode" request that shows up momentarily. Then it seems to go into a normal screen but the buttons are non-responsive. (It would be so awesome if Ford allowed us to access a diagnostic screen).

Also, tried using the Neutral button, as it seems I will need to be towed out of my garage, and I cannot activate that Neutral. I think I remember reading somewhere that there is a mechanical (versus electric) way to get the vehicle in Neutral.

A few things that happened the day the truck died was:
1) I stopped and charged at an Electrify America 350kW station.
2) Ford was trying to send OTA update (not sure if it updated or not).
3) I plugged into my Ford Power Station Charger at 6PM, but the charge cycle did not complete (only 56%, not 90%). The vehicle appeared to crap out at about 9 PM.

A few questions:
1) Is there anyway to do a global "reset" to the ECU?
2) Is there a "mechanical" way to get the truck in Neutral?
3) Has anybody has this issue and been able to resolve it on their own (i.e. without taking it in to the dealership)?

Thanks

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[Webbo85]

Sorry to hear this.

Go to YouTube and type in Know before you tow F150 Lightning. Talks about getting into neutral. Good video.

 

[astricklin]

Sorry to hear this.

Go to YouTube and type in Know before you tow F150 Lightning. Talks about getting into neutral. Good video.

Or, you could look in the owners manual available on the Ford app and website.

 

[Heliian]

12.7v, but I charged it up to 12.9V

Is this standing voltage or the voltage read by your charger while charging?

 

[Ford Motor Company]

So, after five months and 5,000 miles, my Lightning is toast.
I didn't get any error messages like the powertrain failure or battery temperature.
But last night the charge cycle did not complete and this morning the vehicle was inoperative.
The vehicle was already powered up at 8:00AM and when I pushed the Start button I got a bevy of error messages, like blind spot was inoperative and all the other driver assistance features. One by one they all cycled as unavailable. After "OK"ing all of them, I tried to go into Drive, but NO! I can't move the shifter lever. Also, all the chimes where different and there was a definite buzzing sound coming from the LVB/frunk area.

I tried three of four times, but to no avail, same result each time.

I tried disconnecting the LVB and charging it. It was at 12.7v, but I charged it up to 12.9V just in case. After about 30 minutes I reconnected and got the exact same error messages. I did notice that the first thing that comes up on the Synch4A is "Passcode" request that shows up momentarily. Then it seems to go into a normal screen but the buttons are non-responsive. (It would be so awesome if Ford allowed us to access a diagnostic screen).

Also, tried using the Neutral button, as it seems I will need to be towed out of my garage, and I cannot activate that Neutral. I think I remember reading somewhere that there is a mechanical (versus electric) way to get the vehicle in Neutral.

A few things that happened the day the truck died was:
1) I stopped and charged at an Electrify America 350kW station.
2) Ford was trying to send OTA update (not sure if it updated or not).
3) I plugged into my Ford Power Station Charger at 6PM, but the charge cycle did not complete (only 56%, not 90%). The vehicle appeared to crap out at about 9 PM.

A few questions:
1) Is there anyway to do a global "reset" to the ECU?
2) Is there a "mechanical" way to get the truck in Neutral?
3) Has anybody has this issue and been able to resolve it on their own (i.e. without taking it in to the dealership)?

Thanks

Hey there. I can look into your Lightning’s concerns on my end if you’d like. Will you send us a private message with your VIN and dealership info?

 

[chl]

So, after five months and 5,000 miles, my Lightning is toast.
I didn't get any error messages like the powertrain failure or battery temperature.
But last night the charge cycle did not complete and this morning the vehicle was inoperative.
The vehicle was already powered up at 8:00AM and when I pushed the Start button I got a bevy of error messages, like blind spot was inoperative and all the other driver assistance features. One by one they all cycled as unavailable. After "OK"ing all of them, I tried to go into Drive, but NO! I can't move the shifter lever. Also, all the chimes where different and there was a definite buzzing sound coming from the LVB/frunk area.

I tried three of four times, but to no avail, same result each time.

I tried disconnecting the LVB and charging it. It was at 12.7v, but I charged it up to 12.9V just in case. After about 30 minutes I reconnected and got the exact same error messages. I did notice that the first thing that comes up on the Synch4A is "Passcode" request that shows up momentarily. Then it seems to go into a normal screen but the buttons are non-responsive. (It would be so awesome if Ford allowed us to access a diagnostic screen).

Also, tried using the Neutral button, as it seems I will need to be towed out of my garage, and I cannot activate that Neutral. I think I remember reading somewhere that there is a mechanical (versus electric) way to get the vehicle in Neutral.

A few things that happened the day the truck died was:
1) I stopped and charged at an Electrify America 350kW station.
2) Ford was trying to send OTA update (not sure if it updated or not).
3) I plugged into my Ford Power Station Charger at 6PM, but the charge cycle did not complete (only 56%, not 90%). The vehicle appeared to crap out at about 9 PM.

A few questions:
1) Is there anyway to do a global "reset" to the ECU?
2) Is there a "mechanical" way to get the truck in Neutral?
3) Has anybody has this issue and been able to resolve it on their own (i.e. without taking it in to the dealership)?

Thanks

Wow. I'd would first guess the 350kW EA charging stop was the culprit - they have fried several Lightnings. In the previous incidents, except, it happened with a loud noise a pop or bang when the circuit breaker/fuse blew while charging. Those cases were simple to fix by the Ford dealership.

The buzzing sound at the 12v battery area usually means the battery has a short or is otherwise toast and the buzzing is from some part of the charging circuitry nearby.

In my Leaf, the charging control (computer) and timing is powered by the 12v battery, and one time that died and I had similar issues to yours. Charging the 12v battery back up solved it.

In your case, you tried that, so I'd guess that 12v battery is shot and won't deliver enough current even though the unloaded terminal voltage is 12.7v or 12.9v.

Bad batteries not under load can have a terminal voltage that looks good.

Curious to see what Ford finds.

 

[roddiaz1]

Yes. I agree with all your comments.
I will try a new 12v battery if I can find one. Wonder if I can use a standard car battery in the meantime?

 

[astricklin]

Yes. I agree with all your comments.
I will try a new 12v battery if I can find one. Wonder if I can use a standard car battery in the meantime?

There is nothing special about the lead acid 12v battery. If it's an AGM style, you probably want to replace it with that, otherwise any car battery should work fine for short term.

 

[roddiaz1]

Trying that tomorrow in the AM.
Thanks and stay tuned.

 

[roddiaz1]

Well, I gave it a try. Even attempted a BSM reset, but the truck is still unable to engage the drive system. I'm afraid it's time to let the dealer have a crack at it.
Wish me luck.

 

[roddiaz1]

Dealers says it's the Gateway module, which would explain why I wasn't getting any drivability out of the vehicle. But I don't think it explains the buzzing in the frunk. Gateway module should be in the cabin behind the Sync screen, right?
Part arrives on Monday, so we shall see.
Stay tuned.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Dealers says it's the Gateway module, which would explain why I wasn't getting any drivability out of the vehicle. But I don't think it explains the buzzing in the frunk. Gateway module should be in the cabin behind the Sync screen, right?
Part arrives on Monday, so we shall see.
Stay tuned.

A subsidiary system might be malfunctioning because of the gateway module.

 

[roddiaz1]

Let’s hope, because that would mean this just might really be the issue and the fix. Fingers crossed.
I thought I knew something about cars and trucks, AND I thought EVs would be simpler than ICE vehicles…Boy, was I WRONG in both counts!!!
With all the complexity in these vehicles, why not integrate self-diagnostics (and display) into the firmware.
is it really that dangerous to tell the owner/operator of the vehicle what issues are present?

 

[RickLightning]

Let’s hope, because that would mean this just might really be the issue and the fix. Fingers crossed.
I thought I knew something about cars and trucks, AND I thought EVs would be simpler than ICE vehicles…Boy, was I WRONG in both counts!!!
With all the complexity in these vehicles, why not integrate self-diagnostics (and display) into the firmware.
is it really that dangerous to tell the owner/operator of the vehicle what issues are present?

You must be new to the internets...

And to human beings.

 

[Sneakypetie78]

Outcome? What? How long?

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