F150 Powerboost possibly not functioning

[Oxford_Powerboost]

Randomly for about 10seconds.

Hm, I would agree there’s something wrong then. When my battery has gotten fully charged like that, I can run on flat ground at 50 in EV mode cruise control for about half a mile. What is your typical EV miles %? (Electric miles divided by total miles on a given trip). Also I may have missed it but is the truck stock?

I see you’re in Fairfax. I’m also in Fairfax county. Which dealer are you at?

Sponsored

 

[Mhubbardva1]

Yes, the truck is stock, Lariat, SC and the only thing I added was a tonneau cover. I average about 10% electric miles. I am now dealing with Sheehy Warrenton. We have bought a few trucks there. When the service manager at Ted Britt Chantilly( where I have probably bought 50 vehicles in the last 15 years) told me in November I would have to leave the truck there for 6-8 weeks before a tech could diagnose the problem. From there he would not commit to the time he would have my 3 month old truck. I know the owner and he backed his service guy saying they were overwhelmed with service business.

 

[Mhubbardva1]

So I am very discouraged by Ford, dealer service and Ford Truck Customer Care Team. I dropped my truck at the service department yesterday. I had 9 items on my list. Most all are electronic controlled issues.
Dealer called tonight and said the truck is ready for pick up. At least 3 items could not be addressed because Ford is aware of the problem, has no solution right now and will address it at a later date with software updates.
Ready doesn't mean corrected.
1) Rough shift 1-3 Ford knows the current TSB is not working and has to differ to a future repair date. Hopefully a software OTA
2) Ground Fault ProPower Onboard . My generator will not work for more than a few seconds and faults out. Unplug everything, run diagnostics and on screen test, Faults out. Ford is aware of the issue and is differing to a future OTA software update.
3) No key Detected. Software related, Ford is aware and is differing to a future software update. Contends that it is interference from a cell phone or laptop. Recommends removing cell phone from truck cab. Are you kidding me?
4) Slow response from accelerator, referred to #1
5) Truck slams on brakes while in reverse with tailgate down. Sensor is responding to trailer hitch ball. I have in the screen reverse brake assist disabled. Ford states it still may in some cases abruptly apply the brakes. The recommendation is to "Remove the add-on device to prevent false alerts." In my case its is the trailer hitch in the receiver. Ford claims the hitch must be removed to stop the false alert?
6) Poor performance from the Hybrid system. "Every driver drives different. MPG results can not be tested. My concern about the battery can not be diagnosed because I and mot getting an onboard error message. Refused to test battery because it has a 8-10 year warranty, they were not sure?
7) Shudder from front end of truck at 65 MPH especially when truck is under a load such as up hill. Could not duplicate, No manual reference, Ford has not heard of a single complaint about this issue.
So two hour round trip to drop off and now two hour round trip to pick and they did absolutely nothing. As some of you saw Ford reached out on here and offered to help. I contacted them and the gave me a case number. When I asked the dealer if they reached out to Ford with this case number the dealer said it had nothing to do with helping diagnose the repair. Ford just wanted all the data on the issues reported to them. Think I am ready to get rid of this thing.

 

[imnuts]

The PCM update for harsh shifting kind of works. Someone in another thread said that there is a new PCM update now too, so maybe that will refine the shifting a little bit better. I think that some of the harsh shifting is also related to the fluid level in the transmission (low on fluid), which could be made worse in cold temperatures.

For the battery, I'd recommend getting a bluetooth or wifi OBD II adapter and using your phone or a computer to check the hybrid battery stats. There is definitely an issue and while the dealer doesn't want to spend the 15 min it would take to do some simple diagnostics, it really shouldn't take long to do. You shouldn't say that it is a fuel economy issue though and you should instead state that the truck is never entering fully electric mode as it should. That would be more likely to get some attention versus complaining about fuel economy.

 

[Mhubbardva1]

Is there an app that allows you to see the battery level? IS there a specific OBD adapter? I wouldn't mind investing in one. I have an old time OBD plug in code reader. Good advice on the electric mode.

 

[Oxford_Powerboost]

Yes, the truck is stock, Lariat, SC and the only thing I added was a tonneau cover. I average about 10% electric miles. I am now dealing with Sheehy Warrenton. We have bought a few trucks there. When the service manager at Ted Britt Chantilly( where I have probably bought 50 vehicles in the last 15 years) told me in November I would have to leave the truck there for 6-8 weeks before a tech could diagnose the problem. From there he would not commit to the time he would have my 3 month old truck. I know the owner and he backed his service guy saying they were overwhelmed with service business.

I live a couple miles from Ted Britt Chantilly, but I’m also dealing with Sheehy in Warrenton for my current issue lol. What a coincidence. 10% does sound low around here, I average 25-30% on local trips. Less on highway or if I take the toll road into work (Tyson’s) vs 66

 

[Mhubbardva1]

I live a couple miles from Ted Britt Chantilly, but I’m also dealing with Sheehy in Warrenton for my current issue lol. What a coincidence. 10% does sound low around here, I average 25-30% on local trips. Less on highway or if I take the toll road into work (Tyson’s) vs 66

Small world. I live in Fairfax Station and commute to Purcellville. What's crazy is how much variation I get. With the screen illustration I can see when and why the gas engine is running. Some days the electric requires charging the entire trip home. Last week one day 45 degrees. I had the 35 mile trip, 8.5 miles in electric with a 28.6 MPG. Next day 1 mile electric with 19 Mpg.
BTW the guys at Sheehy are awesome. Ford just has their hands tied. They laughed out loud as they read Ford's response that I had to remove the trailer hitch.

 

[BRDVPRA]

A couple of things to try here....
1. Put it in Eco mode that seems to give you more modulation on the throttle to keep it in electric.
2. I can't stress this enough..... Electric throttle is stupid sensative, i'm talking like 1/8 to 1/4 throttle only. The it kicks to gas. You may just be pushing to hard. I mean barely give it throttle.
3. To get it into electric more, I sometimes gently ride the brakes when coasting and that seems to kick it into electric quicker than it will on it's own.
4. It is not a long lasting battery. If you get 1/4mile at a time you are killing it!

Good luck

 

[F-150 Prius]

A couple of things to try here....
1. Put it in Eco mode that seems to give you more modulation on the throttle to keep it in electric.
2. I can't stress this enough..... Electric throttle is stupid sensative, i'm talking like 1/8 to 1/4 throttle only. The it kicks to gas. You may just be pushing to hard. I mean barely give it throttle.
3. To get it into electric more, I sometimes gently ride the brakes when coasting and that seems to kick it into electric quicker than it will on it's own.
4. It is not a long lasting battery. If you get 1/4mile at a time you are killing it!

Good luck

Agreed on all points. I wish Ford included a display in the instrument panel showing the state of charge of the battery as a percentage and as an estimated range under current conditions. There should be a control for the driver to switch from electric to hybrid to a mode that will keep the battery at 100% charged (in anticipation of wanting to maneuver in electric only mode, such as backing into a home garage.)
I guess Ford wants to focus on the success of the Lightning, but a plug-in hybrid F-150 with a "real" sized battery (15kWh … 50 …?) would be … well, it would be "too good" and make many other vehicles (Fords and competitors) obsolete. Imagine buying a Ranger or Maverick for fuel efficiency if the F-150 was 40+ mpg? Many gasping four pot minivans would be unsellable if there was a 40mpg truck to ditch the "soccer mom" life.

 

[Mhubbardva1]

A couple of things to try here....
1. Put it in Eco mode that seems to give you more modulation on the throttle to keep it in electric.
2. I can't stress this enough..... Electric throttle is stupid sensative, i'm talking like 1/8 to 1/4 throttle only. The it kicks to gas. You may just be pushing to hard. I mean barely give it throttle.
3. To get it into electric more, I sometimes gently ride the brakes when coasting and that seems to kick it into electric quicker than it will on it's own.
4. It is not a long lasting battery. If you get 1/4mile at a time you are killing it!

Good luck

What is frustrating is I get the same results on eco or normal. The 28.6 MPG I got the other day was in normal. I am so delicate on the throttle. Like others describe it's like having an egg between your foot and pedal. I am not moving it more than 1/8" and the electric kicks in. Ford keeps insisting the Owners Manual is correct.
"Conditions that may cause the gasoline engine to start or remain running include: Considerable vehicle acceleration"
I don't think any of us would consider the response considerable.
I agree Ford missed a great opportunity to build a truck with a decent battery reserve and an actual charge level with the ability to manually select the use.

 

[Jrohner78]

So I am very discouraged by Ford, dealer service and Ford Truck Customer Care Team. I dropped my truck at the service department yesterday. I had 9 items on my list. Most all are electronic controlled issues.
Dealer called tonight and said the truck is ready for pick up. At least 3 items could not be addressed because Ford is aware of the problem, has no solution right now and will address it at a later date with software updates.
Ready doesn't mean corrected.
1) Rough shift 1-3 Ford knows the current TSB is not working and has to differ to a future repair date. Hopefully a software OTA
2) Ground Fault ProPower Onboard . My generator will not work for more than a few seconds and faults out. Unplug everything, run diagnostics and on screen test, Faults out. Ford is aware of the issue and is differing to a future OTA software update.
3) No key Detected. Software related, Ford is aware and is differing to a future software update. Contends that it is interference from a cell phone or laptop. Recommends removing cell phone from truck cab. Are you kidding me?
4) Slow response from accelerator, referred to #1
5) Truck slams on brakes while in reverse with tailgate down. Sensor is responding to trailer hitch ball. I have in the screen reverse brake assist disabled. Ford states it still may in some cases abruptly apply the brakes. The recommendation is to "Remove the add-on device to prevent false alerts." In my case its is the trailer hitch in the receiver. Ford claims the hitch must be removed to stop the false alert?
6) Poor performance from the Hybrid system. "Every driver drives different. MPG results can not be tested. My concern about the battery can not be diagnosed because I and mot getting an onboard error message. Refused to test battery because it has a 8-10 year warranty, they were not sure?
7) Shudder from front end of truck at 65 MPH especially when truck is under a load such as up hill. Could not duplicate, No manual reference, Ford has not heard of a single complaint about this issue.
So two hour round trip to drop off and now two hour round trip to pick and they did absolutely nothing. As some of you saw Ford reached out on here and offered to help. I contacted them and the gave me a case number. When I asked the dealer if they reached out to Ford with this case number the dealer said it had nothing to do with helping diagnose the repair. Ford just wanted all the data on the issues reported to them. Think I am ready to get rid of this thing.

Well I just recently have noticed a shudder at hwy speeds while the truck is on a light load (uphill travel) I have the cold weather startup bad sound, and did get the 1-3 harsh shift software update. I have asked that they check tranny fluid level even asked if they could pull the pan and check filter but the dealership just checked level and reported back its fine. Now I'm hearing that transmission levels change based on configuration and that there is a chance the dealership isn't checking the right level on powerboost models.

Latest for me is the other day (22 degs so not the neg temps from before) I got a noise from the tranny until it was warmed up.

 

[spiritrider1]

It's sad to see folks dealing with gremlins. After reading all the issues I firmly believe you have something wrong in the charging system, be it a bad connection, or bad battery, etc. I agree with most of the bullet points shared and wish there was just a bit more battery power for a hybrid on a HEAVY 4x4 1/2 ton pickup.
On a flat level 40-45 mph road I can get up to 2 miles by monitoring the hybrid coach and lifting at every possibility to regen. But driving normally, about 1/4 - 1/2 mile is about max before the engine starts to recharge the battery. I think it won't allow a lot of discharge so that the battery will be ready for idling or running the inverter, etc.
What I think does work very well is the Pro Power. I've got the 72Kw version. The engine doesn't have to run very much at all to keep the battery topped off. Now, I haven't tried to power the whole house at once which I'm sure will have the engine running quite a bit more, if not, all the time, but for my usual chores of running a few tools, lights, small appliance, etc. it works great.
Also, my 1-3 shift 'jerk' seems to be hit-miss. Sometimes I don't feel it at all and wonder if an update fixed it?? Weather, temps, etc. don't seem to be the trigger either. But I do run in Eco mode mostly and that will almost always force the tranny to skip 2nd & 4th. Tow Haul or Sport mode forces sequential shifting and it seems to be less irritating. I think this is just one of those things that they just didn't get right and will need to be addressed with a mechanical update to the tranny.
Also, try to get in the habit of coasting sooner and ride the brake early (lightly) to start the regen.

 

[Mhubbardva1]

My 7.2Kw is so problematic I don't even try to use it anymore. It faults out within 5-10 minutes after I reset it even when something is not plugged into it. Supposedly there is a software update in April to fix that. The Ford tech told me that 70% was the magic number. That is as low as the battery will go.

 

[My42waffles]

My 7.2Kw is so problematic I don't even try to use it anymore. It faults out within 5-10 minutes after I reset it even when something is not plugged into it. Supposedly there is a software update in April to fix that. The Ford tech told me that 70% was the magic number. That is as low as the battery will go.

That’s odd he said 70%. The couple of people that have monitored the battery are reporting that it will very between a low of 40-45% and top out at about 75-80% while driving.

 

[Mhubbardva1]

That’s odd he said 70%. The couple of people that have monitored the battery are reporting that it will very between a low of 40-45% and top out at about 75-80% while driving.

When he said that I wondered if he meant 70% was the average max charge. Your numbers make more sense. I have been pushing for data to show how this is supposed to be charging and discharging.

Sponsored