Battery Fan

[paulbuck]

I understand that there is a fan to cool the high voltage batteries under the rear seat. Has anyone heard their's come on? I heard a 'whirring' noise from the back, quite loud, and I was wondering if that was normal. Only came on above 35 mph and only when the gas engine was running; if I let up and changed over to EV the noise stopped. Sounded like something was rubbing or the fan, if that's what it was, was hitting something, as it was very loud.

 

I'm having my 6 month service done soon, but wondered if I could get any thoughts about this from the forum members.

 

Thanks for looking.

[rfruth]

Never heard my fan, should I ?

[lolder]

I understand that there is a fan to cool the high voltage batteries under the rear seat. Has anyone heard their's come on? I heard a 'whirring' noise from the back, quite loud, and I was wondering if that was normal. Only came on above 35 mph and only when the gas engine was running; if I let up and changed over to EV the noise stopped. Sounded like something was rubbing or the fan, if that's what it was, was hitting something, as it was very loud.

 

I'm having my 6 month service done soon, but wondered if I could get any thoughts about this from the forum members.

 

Thanks for looking.

It doesn't sound normal. You might have it checked immediately. This car is normally very quiet unless you use more than two or three divisions on the "PWR" gauge in "Empower" dash mode.

[Oman]

I hear the fan pretty regularly. It is just a slight whirring noise from the front of the rear seats. Usually when it is hot out and I have the windows down (I live in a nice quiet rural area). Anything more than a normal blowing sounding noise and I would have it checked.

 

Jon

 

 

It doesn't sound normal. You might have it checked immediately. This car is normally very quiet unless you use more than two or three divisions on the "PWR" gauge in "Empower" dash mode.

[Zacher]

I've heard mine kick in a few times. I wouldn't say it's "loud", but it is noticeable when in EV mode and not pumpin' the tunes :D.

 

Question and Answer from Owners Manual:

 

Question:

What is the fan noise I hear from

the rear of my hybrid?

 

Answer:

The fan noise comes from a fan

located inside the high voltage

battery. This fan turns on when

the battery requires cooling air.

The fan speed, and associated

noise level, will change according

to the amount of cooling required

to maintain good performance.

Maintaining the battery

temperature at optimal conditions

also prolongs the useful life of the

battery and helps to achieve better

fuel economy.

[Fuze-ion]

I guess I am just going deaf, I haven't heard any Fan from the back, only the Dash fan. It has been plenty hot here in VA, (5) days over 100 already this Summer.

[paulbuck]

Thanks to all for their input! Just to update, since the first time I heard the 'loud' fan noise, it hasn't happened since!

The FFH went to the dealer today for the 6 month service, I told them about the noise. They, of course, couldn't duplicate the sound, although they test drove it, called Ford Hot-Line support and drove two brand new FFH's to see what their fans sounded like. If true, they did go beyond the call of duty, and I admit I haven't heard the fan since; soooooo, we'll wait and see if anything develops.

Again, thanks for the comments.

[paulbuck]

Just an update, since the weather has heated up, I've heard the fan noise more frequently, usually when the car has been sitting in the sun (90 degrees plus) and before the A/C cools things down. Still noisier than I think it should be.

Got a survey from Ford about my service, told them I was disappointed that they couldn't diagnose the fan noise. Haven't heard back from anyone.

[runutzzzzz]

Just an update, since the weather has heated up, I've heard the fan noise more frequently, usually when the car has been sitting in the sun (90 degrees plus) and before the A/C cools things down. Still noisier than I think it should be.

Got a survey from Ford about my service, told them I was disappointed that they couldn't diagnose the fan noise. Haven't heard back from anyone.

 

I have never heard the fan kick on. It's possible that when it's hot out I have the A/C full blast and it drowns out the fan noise?

 

Just a FYI, when you give a bad survey from the visit they could "blacklist" you. Meaning appointments that are scheduled further out, no loaner car, more "could not duplicate problem" etc...

[paulbuck]

I have never heard the fan kick on. It's possible that when it's hot out I have the A/C full blast and it drowns out the fan noise?

 

Just a FYI, when you give a bad survey from the visit they could "blacklist" you. Meaning appointments that are scheduled further out, no loaner car, more "could not duplicate problem" etc...

 

 

HA! I'd like to see them 'blacklist' me! There are about 4 or 5 Ford dealerships in my area that I can choose from. One sign of a 'listing' and I'm bringing my service business to another dealer.

[D2ThaJ]

Not to revive this, but my ‘16 Energi started having similar issues.  Ordered a new HVB cooling fan for the main (driver’s side of the HVB) as it’s where the sound was originating from).  Swapped and it was resolved.  
 

On closer inspection, there was about a 1/16th inch play when rotating the old fan blades, which would be enough to come in contact with the fan housing.  Not that you could physically move the blades, but that they’ve become warped.

[MeeLee]

The FFH is pretty quiet! 
So quiet I can actually hear the climate control fan whirring at setting 1.

[Raymond J Ramirez]

The battery cooling fan is actually on top of the battery behind the rear seat back, and physically in the forward part of the trunk. It takes in cooled air from the cabin through two small vents under the rear window, blows that air across the battery and exhausts in the trunk near the 12V batter (driver side). If you can hear the fan, it may need replacement because its blower motor is one piece. The replacement involves folding down the rear seat back, removing the trunk lining covering the battery, then removing the two vent ducts from the blower body, and the blower fan itself. The HV battery can stay connected as the blower has a plug connector. I have the Ford Service manual so I have read how to remove the fan.. The job can be done in a few hours.

[billford]

20 hours ago, Raymond J Ramirez said:

The battery cooling fan is actually on top of the battery behind the rear seat back, and physically in the forward part of the trunk. It takes in cooled air from the cabin through two small vents under the rear window, blows that air across the battery and exhausts in the trunk near the 12V batter (driver side). If you can hear the fan, it may need replacement because its blower motor is one piece. The replacement involves folding down the rear seat back, removing the trunk lining covering the battery, then removing the two vent ducts from the blower body, and the blower fan itself. The HV battery can stay connected as the blower has a plug connector. I have the Ford Service manual so I have read how to remove the fan.. The job can be done in a few hours.

 

On a 2013 and later hybrid, Its actually on the trunk floor, next to the 12 volt battery, drivers side, middle area as shown in the picture

 

Edited December 27, 2021 by billford