Bill-N

I can't imagine your frustration. There's no way I would have been this patient. Knock-on-wood, my SEL is over 2 years old and I haven't had a battery failure (yet?). And, for what it's worth, my phone charger is never unplugged (from arm-rest cubby). And I agree, a booster pack, trickle charger, whatever, is not a solution. Workaround, yes; solution, no.

Why?

Very nicely done, Taylor.

Agreed.

Thank you so much. I, and many others here, will benefit from your "for-fun project." Cheers.

Me too.

What happens if you press the panic button?

I want to buy a spare Type-2 Intelligent Access Key (aka FOB) for my plain-vanilla SEL. On your car, does the panic button work? As to the $500, the dealer probably thought you were asking about the remote start system.

Another thing: I'd like to be able to unlock the rear hatch from the inside, while the car is running, without having to put it into Park. Simplifies picking up folks at airports.

FYI, here's an interesting thread on the Energi forum about OBD adapters, Torque, various formulas, etc. http://fordcmaxenergiforum.com/topic/1993-questionsobdlink-mx-vs-generic-elm327-vs-scangauge-ii/

I'd like the 3-blink momentary lane change function to be owner configurable, i.e. make it blink 4 times; or 5 or whatever number of times I prefer. Apparently three blinks is some sort of default, but I would think that more than three would be acceptable.

Thank you.

I had to replace the tail/brake bulb and the instructions above are correct. Note that disconnecting the electrical connector, as indicated in the owners manual, is NOT necessary. To replace the bulb, the bulb holder must be removed from the lamp assembly. It's held on by three tabs, two toward the middle of the car, the other toward the outside. Also, the tail/brake lamp part number in the owners manual is incorrect. The correct number is BP7443. Here are pictures that may help. First the two "wing nuts" that fasten the lamp assembly to the car. Next, the bulb holder as attached to the lamp assembly. One of the three attachment tabs can be seen below the left mounting stud. Finally, the bulb holder removed from the lamp assembly.

In another forum, Kelleytoons posted this extraordinarily useful link to a much improved online manual: http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerGuide_EU/Default.aspx?bookcode=O23421&market=US&language=EN&VIN= I thought it a worthy addition here. Edit: Yet another useful source has gone away. (sigh!)

Our SEL built Aug., 2012; 26k; no problems that the various TSB's haven't fixed.

So it's possible for the software to be incompletely installed? I surely hope not! Good question. There is an "engineering mode" (http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/1275-engineering-test-mode/) that will display some software info. But nothing, as far as I know, that relates that information to a TSB/FSA/etc. Perhaps someone (Crystal?) could provide a table that shows the relationship along with directions as to how to determine if the software has, in fact, been successfully installed. Just a suggestion.

Search the maintenance forum for workshop manual. They are available online for a subscription fee ($20 for a month if I recall correctly). Wiring diagrams are included.

+1

Nor did I.

There's also an emissions test that may run after the car is "shut off." It will produce a similar sound.

MFT should shut off on its own before it runs down the battery. In my case, it usually takes about 15 - 20 minutes. But this sounds like an old MFT issue that was by and large fixed with an MFT update. Sorry, I don't remember the exact TSB; searching the maintenance forum will help. Anyway, make sure your MFT is up to the latest software level. Cheers.

I have an early SEL (June, 2012, build) and have had no battery problems. However, my advice would be, if "you" are worried about the battery issue, look elsewhere.

Thanks for your input. I'll check on the price; $500 seems a bit steep.

Ashley, would you check on this please? I'd really like to have a FOB (of whatever type) that would act as a panic button. My dealer parts dept. has no idea. adThanksvance.

FYI, just had this recall done. So far so good. It took about 2 weeks for the dealer to get the part. It's essentially a 3 step process: Have dealer inspect seat frames to determine if defective Wait a couple of weeks for the parts. Have dealer replace defective frame/s.I dropped the car overnight on both dealer trips so I don't know how long steps 1 and 3 really take. My dealer did a good job; no damage of any kind to the "leather" upholstery. Only the driver's seat needed replacing. They also did the 14S04 air bag reprogramming recall at the same time. Cheers.