Intermittent EV mode failures

[Zacher]

I know that it was recommended that a short warm up be done years ago. That is no longer true. Even if you live a few blocks from an expressway, modern oils and engines are ready for it by the time you get there. Would I start a car at 0 degrees or below and floor it? No. Drive the car normally. If the valves are making a noise as lifters pump up (does the FFH even have hydraulic lifters?) or there is some other unusual noise, that may call for maintenance attention.

 

Lee

 

LOL.. I'm from Saskatchewan, we don't have freeways! :D Largest highway is twinned, two lanes one way, and two the other, and that's only if going east to west. Prairie country up here :D

[MarcD]

Reverse requires electric power from the battery (the transmission doesn't actually have a reverse, neutral, or low gear) therefore it cancels the conditioning mode (you wouldn't want to be stuck somewhere). The computer knows it needs to be completed and will do it again after some period of time. If you let it complete it won't bother you again, at least until next time it needs to do it.

 

The reason it is in the manual is because it IS noticeable when it happens. The car does not stop working it only feels differently for a while. If you look at how the manual is written it is not technical so they don't describe what will feel different - only not to worry if it happens once in a while.

 

The entire power train is driven (not just sensed) by a computer. If anything out of the ordinary happens it will show an engine trouble light and there will be a trouble code.

 

Jon

 

First off, thanks for all the great info you people post on this site. Anytime I have any questions regarding my FFH I come here. Even when I don't have any questions I'll come here to read the latest "finds" or "questions" which helps answer questions I didn't even know I had.... :huh:

 

So I think my FFH is going through a re-conditioning cycle and last night trying to figure out what the heck was going on (forgot I read about this) I put it in L and then back to D and nothing worked getting it back to EV mode. When I arrived home I backed up into my parking spot and the EV mode STILL DIDN'T GO ON.

 

I guess I have a few questions... First off, if "Reverse requires electric power from the battery" then why didn't the EV mode work when I was backing up. If I hadn't read that before I would have just assumed that it was still in re-condition mode.

One thing I noticed is that the engine reved higher than normal. Again, just part of the cycle? Also, the MPG is off the charts while this has been going on.

 

I don't see any lights flashing indicating anything is wrong and the only thing I did differently yesterday is that I was playing with the AC a little more and actually driving with the AC on for an extended period of time (it was above 80 yesterday).

 

One last question. How long does this cycle usually last? I can see why it wouldn't be noticed that often especially when people drive on the highway, but having some type of an indicator explaning what's going on or that the "battery is going through a re-conditioning cycle" would have been an easy thing to have....no?

 

Anyway, can't complain too much because I just love this car. Using a Ford Ranger for work and switching to the FFH has pretty much paid for itself in the gas I'm saving.

 

Thanks,

 

MarcD

[lolder]

If you backed up, the EV system is working, whether the ICE stopped or not. The ICE cannot make the car move in reverse. It may be running but it's not moving the car. It may be using MG1 to generate electricity to power MG2, the traction motor, in reverse, I'm not sure. If you want to see how much power the EV mode has, wait until the car is warmed up, have a big clear area behind you and floor it in "R". The ICE won't start and the car will leap backward. It wont do this in "D" without the ICE starting because the computer wont let it.

Re conditioning appears to be quite variable. Sometimes EV won't work for a few blocks. I think that is not true re-conditioning but the ICE running for one of the half-dozen or so reasons that require it. I think I have had only one true event in about 10,000 miles. It lasted about 20-30 minutes and the HVB charged up to the top of the gauge. The ICE will rev higher as it's not getting EV assist. The Owners Guide could be better written on some issues.

[MarcD]

If you backed up, the EV system is working, whether the ICE stopped or not. The ICE cannot make the car move in reverse. It may be running but it's not moving the car. It may be using MG1 to generate electricity to power MG2, the traction motor, in reverse, I'm not sure. If you want to see how much power the EV mode has, wait until the car is warmed up, have a big clear area behind you and floor it in "R". The ICE won't start and the car will leap backward. It wont do this in "D" without the ICE starting because the computer wont let it.

Re conditioning appears to be quite variable. Sometimes EV won't work for a few blocks. I think that is not true re-conditioning but the ICE running for one of the half-dozen or so reasons that require it. I think I have had only one true event in about 10,000 miles. It lasted about 20-30 minutes and the HVB charged up to the top of the gauge. The ICE will rev higher as it's not getting EV assist. The Owners Guide could be better written on some issues.

That's exactly what was happening and now it's back to normal so the time frame seems about right as well. I did test out the R and floored it (don't worry, made sure there was nothing behind and all was clear) and saw the extreme speed at which you can go. Of course I didn't go that far, just a little test. When I got in the car this morning and turned it on, I sat and listened and I could hear a soft noise coming from the back where the battery is. Soft noise....low uhm.....something....it wasn't quiet. So that told me that I must be going through this re-conditioning cycle. I have almost 10 000 miles (about 15 000 km's) so I guess that makes sense.

Thanks again for everyone that contributes to this sight...it's very helpful.

 

MarcD

[lolder]

There's a fan in the HVB module.