TSB 13-6-23 (Updates TSB 13-5-1) HYBRID AND ENERGI - COLD WEATHER CHARGING IMPROVEMENTS

[Bill-N]

 

TSB

13-6-23

• HYBRID AND ENERGI - COLD WEATHER CHARGING IMPROVEMENTS

Publication Date: June 24, 2013

 

FORD:

2013 C-MAX, Fusion

LINCOLN:

2013 MKZ

 

The article supersedes TSB 13-5-1 to update the Title, Issue Statement and Service Procedure.

ISSUE:

Some 2013 C-Max Hybrid/Energi vehicles built on or before 4/9/2013 and Fusion Hybrid/Energi and MKZ Hybrid vehicles built on or before 6/12/2013 may exhibit a 12-volt battery which is unable to maintain a charge or becomes discharged when the vehicle is operated with maximum electrical loads for short drive cycles and then left unattended for several hours during cold weather temperatures, less than 0 degrees Celcius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).

ACTION:

Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

 

1. Does the concern occur only when the ambient temperature is below 0 °C (32 °F)?
   1. Yes - proceed to Step 2.
   2. No - this article does not apply. Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 414-01 for normal diagnosis.
2. Reprogram the Direct Current/Direct Current (DC/DC) Converter Control Module to the latest calibration using IDS release 84.02 and higher. Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraft.com.

 

WARRANTY STATUS:

Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage

IMPORTANT: Warranty/ESP coverage limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. Warranty/ESP coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME 130623A 2013 C-MAX, Fusion Hybrid, Fusion Energi and MKZ Hybrid: Reprogram The Direct Current/Direct Current Converter Module (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operation) 0.2 Hr. DEALER CODING BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE 14B227 04

NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford or Lincoln dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.

Copyright © 2013 Ford Motor Company

[MNizlek]

Bill - I've reviewed your post after finding it by a search on TSB 13-6-23.  My CMax was in for its 5K service PLUS a recurrent (3X since 12/2012 purchase) 12V battery failure.  I was curious what the TSB might say.  Of interest - the last shut down occurred last week following an all day drive (6 hrs with intermittent stops) in 80 degree weather.  Thus, I suspect application of this TSB and associated reprogramming was a shot in the dark.  Might you have other information or advice.

 

"Apprehensive in Seattle"

[Bill-N]

Apprehensive in Seattle"

 

To say the least.  My condolences (is that the right word?) regarding your troubles.

 

When you say "shut down" do you mean dead battery?  I'm curious as to how long the car had been sitting when it failed to start.

 

The leading theory on this problem seems to be in two parts.  First is that the battery isn't being sufficiently charged.  And, second, there's something that does shut off properly which causes the battery to run down.  The TSB addresses the first part.  Was it really installed?  As you can tell by reading here, there are lots of false starts, so make sure (sorry, I don't know how to tell) the TSB was successfully installed.

 

I can;t tell from you profile which model you have.  If it's an SEL, then TSB 13-6-17 may address the something-doesn't-turn-off issue.

 

Two other things to check which have been mentioned in the forums are possible dampness in certain electrical connectors and continuing a phone call after the car is shut off. This latter is something like (this is from memory so may be quite inaccurate):

• Talking on the phone using the cars built-in bluetooth feature.
• Transfer call directly to cell phone
• Turn the car off
• Continue talking using cell phone
• SYNC (or whatever) fails to shut off so it drains the battery.

 

You'll have to snorkel through the forms for info on these.

 

Hope this helps.  I really, really, really, like my C-Max.  But it's no good if you can't rely on it.

 

 

PS:  Last resort would be Lemon Law.  Be sure to follow the EXACT procedure if you must go this route.

[Sparky]

The TSBs 13-5-1 and 13-6-23 are very similar and address the same problem:  Low voltage condition of the 12v battery.
Compare the TSBs.

This is the Action stated in TSB 13-5-1:

ACTION:
Reprogram the Direct Current/Direct Current (DC/DC) Converter Control Module to the latest calibration using
IDS release 84.02 and higher. Basic part no. 14B227
Copyright 2013 Ford Motor Company Online Publication Date May 2, 2013


This is the Action stated in TSB 13-6-23:

The article supersedes TSB 13-5-1 to update the Title, Issue Statement and Service Procedure.
ACTION:
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
1. Does the concern occur only when the ambient temperature is below 0 °C (32 °F)?
       1. Yes - proceed to Step 2.
       2. No - this article does not apply. Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 414-01 for normal diagnosis.
2. Reprogram the Direct Current/Direct Current (DC/DC) Converter Control Module to the latest calibration using
IDS release 84.02 and higher.  Basic part no. 14B227
Copyright 2013 Ford Motor Company Online Publication Date June 24, 2013

The only difference in the "ISSUE" is the following added text:
...and then left unattended for several hours during cold weather temperatures, less than 0 degrees Celcius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).

Comparing the TSBs, it appears if you had a problem when the temp was below freezing, Ford will apply the fix. 

If your battery was dead in warmer weather, "No - this article does not apply."

I recently took my Energi to the dealer and told them although my battery was never dead,  I was experiencing low battery voltage (11.9v) after sitting overnight.  I gave the service adviser copies of both TSBs.  

My invoice shows TSB 13-6-23 was installed but 13-5-1 was not.  I can only assume because 13-5-1 is superseded.

My question is:  Where can I see the software version of the DC-DC installed in my car.  Is there an online history of maintenance on my car?   Yes, my voltage is higher in the morning.  My C-Max Energi 300a was built March 1, 2013 and Sync/MFM ver. 3.5.1 was installed when I took delivery May 26th.

[MNizlek]

^{Bill -N   Thanks for your reply to my post.  My response to your questions:}

^{- By "shut down" I did mean battery failure with characteristic failure of key function, lights, and other electrical devices.}

^{- In my situation the car had been left overnight following a lengthy drive which should have kept the DC system fully charged.}

^{One curious item we noticed - when the car was jump started (cables to 2nd vehicle) we noted the radio came on.  We had NOT been using the radio nor were we SYNC'd by cell phone at the time we shut the car off.}

^{- Do we know whether the TSB was installed?  I can only go by the service report which says they installed and confirmed same.}

^{- RE: Lemon Law - ours has a 15 day "out of service" clause.  Does that mean one has to leave it with the dealer for a total of 15 days or does it refer to total days with the issue unresolved?  (I suspect the former, right?)}

 

^{Finally - I see 3 theories possible: (a) the batteries themselves are defective (unable to take & hold a charge, for example); (b) the charging system itself is at fault and does not charge the battery fully (on all or certain occasions), and © there are drains to the 12V system after shut down.  On the last one, at least, shouldn't use of an Amp Meter identify the post-shutdown draw and with this knowledge identify which device(s) have that amount of current associated with it/them?} 

^{FORD - I suspect you monitor this forum.  Come on guys and gals, get this resolved!}

[Bill-N]

^{Bill -N   Thanks for your reply to my post.  My response to your questions:}

^{- By "shut down" I did mean battery failure with characteristic failure of key function, lights, and other electrical devices.}

^{- In my situation the car had been left overnight following a lengthy drive which should have kept the DC system fully charged.}

^{One curious item we noticed - when the car was jump started (cables to 2nd vehicle) we noted the radio came on.  We had NOT been using the radio nor were we SYNC'd by cell phone at the time we shut the car off.}

^{- Do we know whether the TSB was installed?  I can only go by the service report which says they installed and confirmed same.}

^{- RE: Lemon Law - ours has a 15 day "out of service" clause.  Does that mean one has to leave it with the dealer for a total of 15 days or does it refer to total days with the issue unresolved?  (I suspect the former, right?)}

 

^{Finally - I see 3 theories possible: (a) the batteries themselves are defective (unable to take & hold a charge, for example); (b) the charging system itself is at fault and does not charge the battery fully (on all or certain occasions), and © there are drains to the 12V system after shut down.  On the last one, at least, shouldn't use of an Amp Meter identify the post-shutdown draw and with this knowledge identify which device(s) have that amount of current associated with it/them?} 

^{FORD - I suspect you monitor this forum.  Come on guys and gals, get this resolved!}

 

Ah, you have an SE, so yours is the "typical" dead battery scenario.  SE's seem to take the brunt of the problem.  Have the electrical connectors checked for signs of water intrusion.

 

Re, lemon law, I have no clue as to the rules and regulations.  I do know that it's important to follow the procedures to the letter.

 

I truly hope Ford finds a definitive solution/s to the dead-battery problem.