F150 Powerboost possibly not functioning

[Mhubbardva1]

I am trying to decide if the Powerboost hybrid feature is a novelty or if mine is not working properly. The Ford manual states:
The gasoline engine starts and stops to provide power when required and to save fuel when not needed. When coasting at low speeds, coming to a stop or standing, the gas engine normally shuts down and your vehicle operates in electric-only mode. Conditions that may cause the gasoline engine to start or remain running include:
• Considerable vehicle acceleration.
• Driving uphill.
• The high voltage battery charge level is low.
• Heating or cooling the vehicle interior in high or low outside temperatures.
• The gasoline engine is below normal operating temperature.
• Towing a trailer.

I have 19,000 miles and have never been able to get the electric motor to function more that 50-100 yards before the gas kick in. I have been really trying to milk it the last few weeks. 60 degrees. All climate control off. If I barely touch the acceleration the gas kicks in. I can not even back out of my garage which is a down hill slope without the gas kicking in. If I drive it for 15-20 minutes I may be able to roll in the parking lot for 10-20 seconds and the gas kicks in. At any speed when I am going down a long incline even very steep the gas stays on and the display shows regenerative braking, it never kicks over to electric. If I push the brake pedal stiffly the electric will come on for the rest of the decent.
Am I expecting too much? My MPG average is about 20-21.

Sponsored

 

[imnuts]

Sounds like you have an issue. If you go to the Power Flow screen on Sync, what does it say once the truck is up to temp as far as why the engine is running? Best guess based on what you've posted is you have a connector that isn't fully seated somewhere, but it's hard to tell.

 

[Mhubbardva1]

I do have a service appointment Thursday for multiple issues.
Recall on drive shaft insulation.
Display gives a No Key Detected randomly when the keys are in the cup holder. Truck will not start.
Constant disabling of power generator because of ground fault with nothing plugged in.
TSM AGAIN for the 1-3 harsh shifting
Abrupt braking when tailgate is down and backing up.

 

[Mhubbardva1]

Sounds like you have an issue. If you go to the Power Flow screen on Sync, what does it say once the truck is up to temp as far as why the engine is running? Best guess based on what you've posted is you have a connector that isn't fully seated somewhere, but it's hard to tell.

I just found that screen the other day. I have been tracking it closely. When I TOUCH the accelerator it says Engine on Drive Power Then as I start rolling it changes to Engine on Normal Operation Then finally it will go to Engine on- regenerative braking. Rarely does the front engine illustration go away and it just shows the electric motor.

 

[imnuts]

If you have a way to monitor data (Forscan, FDRS, Torque, otherwise), try to track the battery charge percentage and voltage while driving. If you don't have a way to do this, you may want to have the dealership investigate.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I am trying to decide if the Powerboost hybrid feature is a novelty or if mine is not working properly. The Ford manual states:
The gasoline engine starts and stops to provide power when required and to save fuel when not needed. When coasting at low speeds, coming to a stop or standing, the gas engine normally shuts down and your vehicle operates in electric-only mode. Conditions that may cause the gasoline engine to start or remain running include:
• Considerable vehicle acceleration.
• Driving uphill.
• The high voltage battery charge level is low.
• Heating or cooling the vehicle interior in high or low outside temperatures.
• The gasoline engine is below normal operating temperature.
• Towing a trailer.

I have 19,000 miles and have never been able to get the electric motor to function more that 50-100 yards before the gas kick in. I have been really trying to milk it the last few weeks. 60 degrees. All climate control off. If I barely touch the acceleration the gas kicks in. I can not even back out of my garage which is a down hill slope without the gas kicking in. If I drive it for 15-20 minutes I may be able to roll in the parking lot for 10-20 seconds and the gas kicks in. At any speed when I am going down a long incline even very steep the gas stays on and the display shows regenerative braking, it never kicks over to electric. If I push the brake pedal stiffly the electric will come on for the rest of the decent.
Am I expecting too much? My MPG average is about 20-21.

Hello! Send us a private message with your F-150’s VIN and name & location of dealership. I’d be happy to see what I can do to assist with this powerboost concern. Thanks!

 

[Mhubbardva1]

Thank you. I already have a case number. My appointment is tomorrow. It takes forever to get an appointment these days. I have already had it in once for this. Hopefully these can be resolved on this trip.

 

[Mhubbardva1]

Hello! Send us a private message with your F-150’s VIN and name & location of dealership. I’d be happy to see what I can do to assist with this powerboost concern. Thanks!

I can tell you I just dropped my truck at the dealer. I am very concerned that an experienced tech will even make an attempt to fix these issues. The service writer told me unless I am getting an error message on the display they will not take the time to diagnose a perceived problem. I took pictures of all the issues as they were happening but they did not seem to be interested in those.

 

[Oxford_Powerboost]

If you look at EV coach while driving, do you ever see a “full” EV bar for any length of time? See photo for what full looks like

 

[Mhubbardva1]

Randomly for about 10seconds.

 

[EVTruckGuy]

I can tell you I just dropped my truck at the dealer. I am very concerned that an experienced tech will even make an attempt to fix these issues. The service writer told me unless I am getting an error message on the display they will not take the time to diagnose a perceived problem. I took pictures of all the issues as they were happening but they did not seem to be interested in those.

If you aren't getting the service you expect, why don't you take Ford up on their offer a few posts back. They offered to help, but it sounded like you told them not to worry as everything was going just fine with your current plan.

 

[mj1angier]

Abrupt braking when tailgate is down and backing up.

This might be an easy fix- do you have rear break assist turned off? If I remember correctly it dose not like the tailgate down and sometimes even tow balls will cause it to engage. I keep mine turned off.

 

[Mhubbardva1]

If you aren't getting the service you expect, why don't you take Ford up on their offer a few posts back. They offered to help, but it sounded like you told them not to worry as everything was going just fine with your current plan.

It may have seemed that way in the post but that is not it at all. When you see an Official Ford Account post on here it is the Ford Social Media Team doing damage control. They do try and connect you with a group at Ford to try and help. That is why they ask for a private message. My truck had already been assigned a case number after the first few service attempts failed to correct my electronic issues. Once you have a case number a "Customer Experience Specialist, Ford Truck Team" contacts you. From there it gets real frustrating. Your truck ahs to be sitting at the service center. Then Ford wants the dealer to refer to the case number and contact them for instructions. The dealer says they have no interest in contacting the Customer Experience Specialist. Meanwhile the customer is stuck in the middle. I see this heading to lemon law arbitration soon.
So it may have appeared as if I declined to accept their offer to help but in fact they are already involved.

 

[EVTruckGuy]

It may have seemed that way in the post but that is not it at all. When you see an Official Ford Account post on here it is the Ford Social Media Team doing damage control. They do try and connect you with a group at Ford to try and help. That is why they ask for a private message. My truck had already been assigned a case number after the first few service attempts failed to correct my electronic issues. Once you have a case number a "Customer Experience Specialist, Ford Truck Team" contacts you. From there it gets real frustrating. Your truck ahs to be sitting at the service center. Then Ford wants the dealer to refer to the case number and contact them for instructions. The dealer says they have no interest in contacting the Customer Experience Specialist. Meanwhile the customer is stuck in the middle. I see this heading to lemon law arbitration soon.
So it may have appeared as if I declined to accept their offer to help but in fact they are already involved.

I see now. I feel for you. You are in a bad position, and I know how it feels. Although most F159s perform as expected, there are many stories of people just like you not getting the service and help they needs when things go wrong.

Good luck, and let us know what the service tech says.

 

[Mhubbardva1]

Thanks. I love Ford. I have 5 other F150s that are terrific. They run and function perfect. There is always one that has problems. I just happened to be the unlucky one. It happened to be my personal daily driver.

Sponsored