"Deep Sleep Mode Activated" message

[tr7driver]

Plan on a two week vacation this fall, sans car, and not sure how to prepare. Two hybrids here, and the older one (a 10 year old Camry) even says in the manual that it shuts off after two weeks!

 

Somewhere I read (sorry, don't remember source) that the #1 failure across all new cars of all makes has been the battery. With all the electronics we are not alone.

 

I bought a portable Li charger and put it in the car for "insurance" before I left it at the airport for 3 weeks. Just go back, and much to my surprise, the car started right up. No problems at all. It has been in service 3 years and 3 months, so I'm expecting the 12V batt to go any time, but so far so good.

[dano99487]

Hello All,

 

So here's an update. Tomorrow, Monday 3/20/17 will be one week since I picked up car from dealer who performed those updates.

So far I have no issues. Car started remotely through Ford Pass App and manually each and every time...Hopefully the updates fixed the issue..

Will keep all updated....................................Dan

[dano99487]

Hello All,

UPDATE!!!!

It is now 3/27/17 , 2 weeks later,since updates ,and all is good... :) Dan

[Waldo]

Sorry I missed this thread earlier, but I'm surprised nobody made the obvious connection to the other thread about draining batteries. I posted the SSM solution back in February here:

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/11451-12v-battery-issue-on-2017-fusion-hybrid/?hl=46368&do=findComment&comment=105142

 

Looks like there's actually 3 different updates to fix battery drains now, 46128, 46368 and 46433.

Edited March 27, 2017 by Waldo

[Jstanley78]

I picked up my car last night from the dealer. They replaced the battery and did a reprogram. They would not guarantee that it wouldn't happen again. So I'm probably going to trade it in.

[Waldo]

I picked up my car last night from the dealer. They replaced the battery and did a reprogram. They would not guarantee that it wouldn't happen again. So I'm probably going to trade it in.

 

That would be silly, given that the fix is a simple reprogram.

[lolder]

And replaced the battery. The new cars are notorious for having bad 12 vdc batteries.

[mwr]

The new cars are notorious for having bad 12 vdc batteries.

You mean 2017's?

[Frank F]

I picked up my car last night from the dealer. They replaced the battery and did a reprogram. They would not guarantee that it wouldn't happen again. So I'm probably going to trade it in.

Good idea. I'd trade it in on something much simpler. Most certainly not a hybrid of any manufacturer. And try to find a vehicle with as little electronics as possible. You may have to go used with say a circa 2000 Ford Escort with manual windows, manual door locks, no air conditioning.

[lolder]

You mean 2017's?

No, all the FFH's starting with the 2010 model year delivered beginning in 2009. They sit after manufacture and the batteries discharge and are damaged. Once you replace the battery they're fine. Don't trade it in.

[stlouisgeorge]

Welcome to Thunderdome.

My 2017 FFH Platinum is now greeting me with the dreaded

"System Off to Save Battery"



Notice the "progress bar" at the bottom. I am guessing it shows the status of the 12V battery (is is 90% full or 90% empty?)

So.. what to do..

I believe step one is to head to the Ford dealer and have them check the 12V battery?

If they come back with "the battery is fine", I should then ask them to look at "Oasis" for

• SSM 46433
• SSM 46128
• SSM 46368

Thinking I will go to an "Certified EV" Ford dealer. There are 8 in the St. Louis area. Any recommendation would be great. I tested my service techs at the Ford dealer I bought the car from. He knew NOTHING about the FFH.

 

St. Louis Area Ford Certified EV Dealerships:

• Lou Fusz Ford - (Chesterfield)
• Marshall Ford - (O’Fallon)
• Pundmann Motor Co. (St. Charles)
• Bommarito Ford (Hazelwood)
• Sunset Auto
• Paul Cream Auto Group (Florissant)
• McMahon Ford
• Dave Sinclair

[lolder]

Your plan sounds good.

[stlouisgeorge]

SHORT VERSION

My 3 month old 2017 FFH Platinum had a bad 12V battery (from the factory). Ford installed a new 12V battery free of charge under the 36/36 warranty (including the special "BMS Module" programming needed to “marry” the new battery to the car).

LONG VERSION

I am sitting at a “Certified EV Ford dealership” in the St. Louis metro area (Bommarito Ford - one of only eight out of about twenty Ford dealers who are EV certified here). I have showed the service manager ("Gabe" -- the only one who knew about Energi/Hybrids unfortunately) my SYNC3 screen print (above) and asked him to investigate the infamous “System off to Save Battery” issue.

While a Ford technician was looking at my battery, I asked some general questions. The answers shown here are my own surmise of what I think I heard him say..


QUESTION: "What does “Certified EV Ford Service dealer mean?"

• ANSWER : "We have one technician (“Joe”) who went through a boatload of training on the Energi/Hybrid, and another who is certified for Hybrids only. The Energi is extremely complicated and has many unique parts". (thus a lot of knowledge is required to work on them). "You don’t always have to, but for anything electronic related you really want a fully trained EV certified tech working on your Energi and probably your Hybrid. We have Joe" (who is off today but hanging out because he loves his job and a teammate is cooking barbecue outside). Yes, In California, a dealer would have several EV certified techs, but here we have only one tech fully EV certified” [From this day on -- “Joe” is my mechanic in St. Louis" at Bommarito Ford)].

QUESTION: “What’s up with Oasis codes? I got 3 here from my Ford Fusion forum nerd buddies. Do you have to see these on a Ford VIN lookup to check my car for these issues?"

• ANSWER: [Good news.. ] "We can certainly look at them. But they might require our EV technician"

In fact.. “Joe” the Ford EV/Energi certified mechanic was not on the clock this morning, but was curious and got on a computer and looked at each of the three Oasis codes I brought him from this forum (SSM’s 46433, 46128, 46368). All were “draw issues”. He would be happy to look at these next week (if its not just a bad battery).

Joe also said the “progress bar” on the SYNC3 screen under the “System off to Save Battery“ (see post above) is indeed a countdown to “deep sleep mode”. [i didn’t get to meet Joe in person — so no selfie].

My 12V factory battery was indeed dead. Guess what? [This is a 15 year veteran Ford service tech talking here] "You can’t just “drop in” a new battery to a Fusion Energi or Hybrid. An EV Certified tech (“Joe”) needs to perform a “BMS Module” reset to “marry" my new 12V battery to the Fusion hybrid. The service manager specifically said the procedure is different for Energi/Hybrid Fusions.

It was great! Joe took his own time to teach another Ford mechanic how to perform the BMS module reset procedure for a hybrid. I would have had to leave the car there until next week if Joe (the EV Certified Tech) hadn’t been there for a simple battery swap. If swapping out a battery didn't fix your "sleep mode" issue, it could be the BMS module isn't mated to your Hybrid/Energi's special electronics! (again.. me talking).

On these many Fusion Forums I have tracked this issue to at least three 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid/Energi Platinums. Please message me your basic info on your 2017 FFH/Energi if you are having this issue (include the forum link URL so I can index by that also).

Edited April 9, 2017 by stlouisgeorge

[rjrfusion]

My F___ing Sleep Mode issue did not last long after getting battery replaced a month ago.

I went away for 5 days. Came back late Wednesday night, went to garage to get car and drive home only to find the car DEAD! Used the manual key to get in and tried the "manual" start per the FordPass app which said the car was in Sleep Mode due to not being used for "14 days or more". Well 3rd time this happened. Went to All American Ford in Hackensack and each time I expected it to be fixed. Had to call ford to get jump start. Back at dealer now. They are waiting for a Ford Service Rep to look at car. Lemon Law time? Car is only 4 months old has gone into sleep mode 8 times (when not used between 3 & 5 days) and battery dead 3 times.

[stlouisgeorge]

You have 3 choices (way I see it).

 

1. Buy a trickle charger for those times away from home (as murphy suggests). Also consider a jump pack.

I used this pack 50 times on my last hybrid (Honda Insight with anemic 12V). At 1700 peak amps it might be overkill (murphy?) for $130 (I paid $50 more 2 years ago). This unit has long cables so you can place it on the ground (maybe). It turns itself on and off and is idiot proof. There are smaller ones.

 

2. Get a lawyer and hope for the best.

 

3. Get a proper Ford EV Certified technician to work on it.

 

You can find EV Certified dealers here. Just change the ZIP Code in the URL to look elsewhere. Outside of CA I will bet the handful of dealerships with an actual EV Certified tech is small. The number of service writers who know ANYTHING about Energi/Hybrid is smaller than that.

 

Do what I did. Go to a dealership that Ford says is EV Certified. Park your car in the lot -- don't enter the service bay -- yet). Go near the service counter with a cup of coffee (like you are just waiting) on a busy morning and watch. Only one service writer will know anything. After a few minutes it will become clear who that is (mechanics wait in line to talk to him/her, other service writers are also waiting because they don't know what they are doing). Wait it out. Listen for words like "Hybrid" or "electical".. I had to stand there for 30 minutes whle a customer told the guy everything about his 72 mustang). This was my second dealership I did this at. It was worth it.

 

Tell the head service writer that even though you don't have an Energi you do have a new hybrid with an electrical problem -- even with a replacement Ford 12V battery. (EV Certifiied techs are required for Energi, not for Hybrids according to Ford -- shouldn't be an issue). If he says "I have one guy". Tell him you want an appointment for that tech to look at your car. Of course tell him of the problems at All American and that you couldn't get an EV Certieid tech (white lie?)

 

Good luck.

Edited April 22, 2017 by stlouisgeorge

[rjrfusion]

Thanks, My "writer" had no clue. But my prior writer is the head writer is more aware of the car but not enough. They do not have a full time "EV" gu y so they have the car sitting in lot waiting for that so-called person and the ford rep to come and look at the issue.

 

I see you have the 2017 Platinum which is what I have in gray. Other than this issue, which is major, I love the car.

[lolder]

Ford has been selling this type of hybrid since 2004 Escapes. Lack of dealer maintenance knowledge is scandalous.

[murphy]

You have 3 choices (way I see it).

 

1. Buy a trickle charger for those times away from home (as murphy suggests). Also consider a jump pack.

I used this pack 50 times on my last hybrid (Honda Insight with anemic 12V). At 1700 peak amps it might be overkill (murphy?) for $130 (I paid $50 more 2 years ago). This unit has long cables so you can place it on the ground (maybe). It turns itself on and off and is idiot proof. There are smaller ones.

 

I use a 7 AH gel cell battery with a 12 gauge jumper cable that I made. Only enough current to pull in the contactors to connect the HVB to the car is needed. Having more available doesn't hurt anything except maybe your wallet.

[rjrfusion]

Car will be at dealer 2 weeks this wednesday. Received a text from dealer service dept "have the Tech on the phone with the "Hybrid specialist". Lets see what happens this week?!! Don't want a car in which I need to carry around a charger just in case. Looked up lemon law in NJ and the car/service is now qualified for submitting an application.

[dano99487]

HEY RON,

Sorry to see you had the issue again. I see the first time they just replaced the battery just like my first time. The second time when I found the car dead,

I posted what they did the second time, it is on page 2 ,previous page...since they are both All American Ford dealers, maybe they can call the Point pleasant Dealer

and see what they did, It's been almost 9 weeks since they did the updates and I have not had any issues...( fingers crossed lol )...If you want message me and I'll give

you my cell number and we can compare issues. I also looked up the lemon laws for New Jersey and was getting ready to pull trigger if it happened again. Let me know. Dan

[rjrfusion]

Dan,

 

Got the car back today after two weeks. The Ford "engineers" came up with a radio issue. Apparently when you shut the radio off it really did not turn off which put the car into sleep mode or killed the battery. Believe this? Not sure if I do. They are leaving my case open for awhile... I will be away in June for 10 days. Good time to find out if the car dies:(

 

The service rep has been very helpful/understanding. He informed ford that next time this happens I'm going to go into the buyback plan. Love the car but now I'm glad I only have a 2 year lease.

 

Also, looking forward to warm weather and going "down the shore":)

 

Ron

[dano99487]

Ron,

Glad to here you got your car back. It's amazing how all these cars across the country are having these same issues and FORD can't get their act together.

Everyone on here with the same issues, and their ford dealer does different things to try to fix them. Ford engineering should be on top of this and send out TSB"s to fix this

Sh-t once and for all...It's funny because yesterday I was reading the posts on the window bounce back issues. When I first picked up car on jan 20th ,2017 it was raining

so I didn't open the windows until the next day. Bam. Both driver and pass front windows are bouncing back and not closing, Next day at work and a little research I found

a Ford video on how to reset windows...It worked but every once in awhile they don't. Yesterday was one of those days. My front passenger window will bounce back to 3/4 open. When I put it all the way down there is still some glass sticking up, the drivers window goes all the way down, so it will never close right because its out of whack.

Looks like another trip back to dealer...Love the car, but this stupid sh-it is getting old.. :sos:

DAN ( from down the shore :) )

[rjrfusion]

So I too have same window issues as well as take issue with poorly designed rear license plate holder (bottom of plates do not stay in the rubber buttons) which rattles when I close the trunk. Both of which i put on my list for repairs when brought to Ford. When i got the car back they did not fix the license plate, don't know about the windows yet. I believe they have a fix besides the hold down of the button for 3 seconds which we can do but does not last long.

 

So are you in PPBeach or PPBoro?

[jrethi]

Keep getting the "Deep Sleep Mode Activated" message on my cell phone. Tried to drive my car on Saturday and had no power at all. Had to have it towed to the local dealership. They ran a check on the battery and said everything checks out ok and the battery has no issues. Told them about the updates I have read about on this site. Thank you to those that have posted.

This morning I get another "Deep Sleep Mode Activated" so I called the dealership soon as they opened. Waiting to hear what they have to say now.

Last night when they wanted me to pick up my car, the service tech informed me that I can still open the door with the key using the lock under the handle. I informed him that getting into the car was not my problem, turning the car on was this issue! Happy they were willing to keep the car for the night.

 

Also have had a problem with the driver and front passenger window automatically going down soon as it goes up. Service department says they can't find anything wrong with that as well. Very frustrating to have a new car and have the service department tell me nothing is wrong it.

[murphy]

Deep sleep means that the 12 volt battery voltage is too low so it shuts down everything possible to minimize drain on the battery. If its completely dead a jumper battery connected to the terminals under the hood will get it going again. Are you leaving anything connected to the power ports when the car is off? They stay on for 70 minutes after shutdown which puts a drain on the battery.

 

Have the windows reprogrammed to relearn where the stops are. Have you installed vents at the top of the windows? That would necessitate reprogramming.