suprs05 Report post Posted June 13, 2021 (edited) Thought I would share. I have read so much here on 12 battery and hvb relationship. This issue has happened two times since purchasing my 2011 ffh in 2014. In summer of 2019 issues started on hot days. While running the ac. Then shutting car off after driving home for work or short errands. 30 min trips or so . Hvb seemed to be charging as usual while driving. Then if at a stop with ac running. Ice shut off. It drains down . Then if I was to shut car off after getting home or out at errands stop. Return to car go to start up. Hvb would be at lowest level “low” reading on dash. Ice would start stumble then shut off while in park. Or if put in drive. Moved just a little. Warning would come on. Pull over safely, ice shuts off. Trying this step of turning to run staus on key. Would repeat warning, ice shut down. Low hvb level. Always hot day 90s. this happened a could please times during summer 19’ under similar conditions. Through trial and Error watching videos and searching forums what’s causing this issue. I came to the conclusion to check the 12 v battery 67r size . I concluded this because the only way I was to resolve this ice shut down and get the car back to charging and driving conditions was to “jump” or actually charge up the 12v battery while I was stranded due to this condition. Charging up the 12v using jumper cables about 15 mins in a parking lot from another vehicle. Charged up the low voltage battery enough for it to tell the computer, allow the hvb contactors or whatever allows the ice to run and charge the hvb back up to normal operating conditions. After charging 12v. Battery allows the ice to kick and stay on to charge up the hvb to about 60% on dash meter. Thus allowing to drive as it should no warnings. After seeing charging the 12v up fixed this. I figured maybe this Lvb is going or is bad. I installed new. All these issues fixed!! Fast forward to now 6/2021 same issue reappeared. On hot day running Ac. Starting up after short trips. Battery is 2.5 years old from last replacement 9/2019 . Pulled battery ,had advanced auto test. I Tested while it was still installed ,on my multimeter 12.5 v key off. 13.78 key on. Getting charged from hvb . But after auto store testing they stated battery was bad. Recovery capacity tested BAD! That’s why charging it back up got it Through a few short trips before. So same battery issues from bad 12v battery. Swapped for new battery fixed issues again. Guess they don’t make them like they use to? Such a small battery? Just the way hvb charges the 12v battery compared to non hybrid cars . Lifespan reduction due to this hvb charging process? Hot weather. Bad cell. Kills keeping a charge to run system properly. Who knows. So if you are having similar problems get 12v battery checked even if it’s reading 12 volts key off . Save $$$ from dealer not knowing what’s causing this. Getting it towed only to be 12v battery bad even if it’s not that old. Hope this helps. Found lots on similar issues here and YouTube. FYI I also double check the 120amp and 200amp fuse link that comes from hvb to positive 12v battery post. Those were both good. Seen in video this caused a similar not charging 12v battery issue. But my fuse was ok. Thank!! Edited June 13, 2021 by suprs05 Added links Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eisbaer Report post Posted June 13, 2021 So your saying that in the first instance replacing the HVB fixed the issue and then replacing the 12V battery in the second instance fixed the issue? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billford Report post Posted June 13, 2021 Seems to me that there is not enough load on these hybrid 12 volt batteries and they develop internal microshorts and subject to acid stratification that reduces battery life. Regular non hybrid fusions don't seem to have this problem because they have real starter motors that draw high currents and make the battery work harder which blow out the internal microshorts and prevent acid stratification. I think to get maximum battery life, use a portable carbon pile load tester a few times a month then use a automatic battery charger overnight. I have a 2014 that has had the battery replaced once during the warranty period. Overnight, the voltage drops to about 11.9 volts, which is pretty low. It fails a load test, but I haven't had any problems yet, except I get a battery saver message on my radio screen. When I replace it, I am going to mount an automatic battery charger in the car and use it every 3 or 4 weeks and do a load test once a month or I may get a AGM battery that should last longer, just have to find one that fits properly. 1 suprs05 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
suprs05 Report post Posted June 14, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, eisbaer said: So your saying that in the first instance replacing the HVB fixed the issue and then replacing the 12V battery in the second instance fixed the issue? In both instances replacing the 12volt battery fixed issues, I should have video the dash. Sorry. Edited June 14, 2021 by suprs05 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
suprs05 Report post Posted June 14, 2021 3 hours ago, billford said: Seems to me that there is not enough load on these hybrid 12 volt batteries and they develop internal microshorts and subject to acid stratification that reduces battery life. Regular non hybrid fusions don't seem to have this problem because they have real starter motors that draw high currents and make the battery work harder which blow out the internal microshorts and prevent acid stratification. I think to get maximum battery life, use a portable carbon pile load tester a few times a month then use a automatic battery charger overnight. I have a 2014 that has had the battery replaced once during the warranty period. Overnight, the voltage drops to about 11.9 volts, which is pretty low. It fails a load test, but I haven't had any problems yet, except I get a battery saver message on my radio screen. When I replace it, I am going to mount an automatic battery charger in the car and use it every 3 or 4 weeks and do a load test once a month or I may get a AGM battery that should last longer, just have to find one that fits properly. I agree there is something that is causing this shorter battery life. Bad design? I’d try every once in awhile what you suggested. Give it a work out. Drain then recharge. See if this extends. Good thing battery was still under 3yr warranty . Thank! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murphy Report post Posted June 14, 2021 Get rid of the wet cell lead acid battery and install an AGM battery. Wet cell starter batteries were designed to provide a short burst of high current and then immediately be recharged. If discharged to a low SOC they suffer internal damage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
suprs05 Report post Posted June 14, 2021 1 hour ago, murphy said: Get rid of the wet cell lead acid battery and install an AGM battery. Wet cell starter batteries were designed to provide a short burst of high current and then immediately be recharged. If discharged to a low SOC they suffer internal damage. You find a agm that fits in that tiny space the 67r does? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
suprs05 Report post Posted June 14, 2021 The hvb is recharging the 12v battery while the key is on . I think there is accelerated sulfation goin on causing early degradation of the battery maybe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murphy Report post Posted June 14, 2021 4 hours ago, suprs05 said: You find a agm that fits in that tiny space the 67r does? I have a 2013 Energi. I removed the battery tray from the trunk and cut the end off of it. I then installed this battery. https://www.amazon.com/Optima-Batteries-8040-218-YellowTop-Purpose/dp/B000MSDKMA/ref=sr_1_2?crid=F80ZIOUEP4EJ&dchild=1&keywords=optima+yellow+top+battery&qid=1623686888&sprefix=Optima%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-2 It lasted 6 years. I installed another one in 2019. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Waldo Report post Posted June 15, 2021 I'm still on the original 12V battery in my 2014 at about 50K miles. It is at the end of it's life though, being parked through most of COVID has completely drained it a couple times. But 7 years is about average or better for any car battery in this part of the world. 2 dogo88 and 2014FordFusionSE reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2014FordFusionSE Report post Posted June 17, 2021 On 6/15/2021 at 5:05 AM, Waldo said: I'm still on the original 12V battery in my 2014 at about 50K miles. It is at the end of it's life though, being parked through most of COVID has completely drained it a couple times. But 7 years is about average or better for any car battery in this part of the world. Same here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mwr Report post Posted June 17, 2021 On 6/15/2021 at 5:05 AM, Waldo said: I'm still on the original 12V battery in my 2014 at about 50K miles. It is at the end of it's life though, being parked through most of COVID has completely drained it a couple times. But 7 years is about average or better for any car battery in this part of the world. I have an early 2015 FFH, 6 years 8 months old with 87K miles, and my original 12V battery is still fine (crossing fingers). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MeeLee Report post Posted June 19, 2021 50k miles 2019 ffh, and still no battery issues. In hot climates, these batteries don't last long. 2 to 3 years at best. Thankfully the trunk is a lot better than the engine compartment, and most of the engine starting, comes from the main battery pack. I was contemplating, because the 12v battery is low CCA, if it couldn't be replaced by a similar sized lithium motorcycle battery? It should last longer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridwan Report post Posted September 10, 2022 On 6/14/2021 at 12:11 PM, murphy said: I have a 2013 Energi. I removed the battery tray from the trunk and cut the end off of it. I then installed this battery. https://www.amazon.com/Optima-Batteries-8040-218-YellowTop-Purpose/dp/B000MSDKMA/ref=sr_1_2?crid=F80ZIOUEP4EJ&dchild=1&keywords=optima+yellow+top+battery&qid=1623686888&sprefix=Optima%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-2 It lasted 6 years. I installed another one in 2019. What did you do about the venting issue? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
