System Sounds Changed - Audio Tones for Alerts, Backup Assist, Turn Signals, etc

[SIlverpine]

Hi everyone, I've looked around for this issue but cannot seem to find it. Hopefully this thread can help find a solution.

 

I drive a 2014 Fusion Hybrid SE with TouchSync and Remote Start for reference. Build date was October 2013.

 

 

A couple times now, with no apparent cause, upon starting my car the internal system sounds change. To clarify what sounds I am referring to:

 

• The initial beeps the Fusion outputs upon pressing the "Start" button
• Backup Assist audio tones with relation to distance between car/object
• Blind-side assist audio tones
• Audio sound of activating the turn-signal for left/right
• Driver Alerts

 

When working properly, the above tones are non-invasive and almost soothing. The turn-signal sounds like a metronome, keeping soft "ticks" about every 1 second. The Backup Assist has almost harp-like notification sounds to judge distance when car is in Reverse.

 

Problem: For an unknown reason, all the above sounds have changed. The beeping when starting the car is now a different, loud and abrupt tone. The Backup Assist also changed to the same jarring loud tone. Even the turn-signal tone now sounds off at a louder "tick" and a faster pace than normal.

 

I have no idea what causes this system tone change, and the last time it happened it somehow changed back to normal a couple random days later when I got in my car after work. Now, it happened again and it's bugging the heck out of me. I've reset driver settings from the steering wheel, tried turning features (such as Backup Assist) off and on, but the new audio tones persist. It's almost like these sounds were some default used in early production testing, before they updated to user-friendly tones.

 

Additionally, the MFT screen is showing this message when I turn on or off the car: "System Off to Save Battery"

 

Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a known fix?

 

 

 

FIXED as of Feb 16: Ford service ran the tests on my hybrid battery and found it to fail, was not holding a charge and I was "lucky to even start the car." Audio tones change were related to failing battery. Battery was replaced with new unit under warranty. The details of why the battery failed could not be determined, but for anyone else seeing these problems you need to have it checked before you end up stranded with a dead battery.

Edited February 17, 2015 by SIlverpine

[SIlverpine]

Update: Now the MFT screen is showing this message when I turn on or off the car. See attached picture.

 

"System Off to Save Battery"

[SIlverpine]

Picture reloaded.

[corncobs]

This could be the very reason you hear the different sounds.

 

It has been noticed by a few people that different sound representation might related to the battery saver message. Mine is showing me the same message right away after turning off the car with the recent cold spill. I can't open the door fast enough to not see it. The sounds are also different when starting the car like the messages about the MyKey speed limit upon getting ready.

[SIlverpine]

Yes, that new message on the MFT might be the key to the issue. I browsed around and found the same problem talked about on other Ford forums. Sounds like it's a defective battery. Also seems to be happening to people during Winter.

 

Interestingly enough however, I didn't read any related comments about the audio tone changes from the people with battery issues. Still unsure if that is tied to the same cause, or entirely different. Guess I'll have to take my car into the dealer. Shame that my 1 year old car already needs repairs. I'll post back what the dealer says.

 

 

From other forums:

It is an indication that your battery is low. Needs a charge or replacement. I have had this several times. They checked the charging system and replaced the battery last March.

 

The new battery, which is a replacement for the OEM one, tested good at the dealership. The OEM was replaced under warranty after I initially started getting these messages last year.

 

Mine was doing this as well. warrantied the battery and havent seen it since.

 

Mine did this the first month owning it. Dealer found batter defective and replaced it with a larger 850cca one.

 

 

Sources:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=397375

http://www.f150ecoboost.net/forum/6-f150-ecoboost-chat/154-system-shutting-down-protect-battery-life-2.html

http://www.fordescape.org/forum/engine-technical-discussion/34794-display-says-shutting-down-save-battery-life.html

[Easy Rider]

It has been noticed by a few people that different sound representation might related to the battery saver message. Mine is showing me the same message right away after turning off the car with the recent cold spill.

 

 

Yes, that new message on the MFT might be the key to the issue. I browsed around and found the same problem talked about on other Ford forums. Sounds like it's a defective battery. Also seems to be happening to people during Winter.

 

I think BOTH of you are on the verge of 12 V battery failure.

 

The BS (Battery Saver) message has been discussed at great lengths in other threads and, in my opinion, if you ignore that you are potentially looking at complete failure and Mr. Murphy says it will happen at the worst time possible.

 

The output capacity of all batteries goes down as the temperature does.

One that is barely adequate at 70F can cross the failure voltage at 30F or lower.

 

You have been given an early warning. I don't think it is prudent to ignore it.

Edited January 7, 2015 by Easy Rider

[FordService]

Hi everyone, I've looked around for this issue but cannot seem to find it. Hopefully this thread can help find a solution.

 

I drive a 2014 Fusion Hybrid SE with TouchSync and Remote Start for reference.

 

 

A couple times now, with no apparent cause, upon starting my car the internal system sounds change. To clarify what sounds I am referring to:

 

• The initial beeps the Fusion outputs upon pressing the "Start" button
• Backup Assist audio tones with relation to distance between car/object
• Blind-side assist audio tones
• Audio sound of activating the turn-signal for left/right
• Driver Alerts

 

When working properly, the above tones are non-invasive and almost soothing. The turn-signal sounds like a metronome, keeping soft "ticks" about every 1 second. The Backup Assist has almost harp-like notification sounds to judge distance when car is in Reverse.

 

Problem: For an unknown reason, all the above sounds have changed. The beeping when starting the car is now a different, loud and abrupt tone. The Backup Assist also changed to the same jarring loud tone. Even the turn-signal tone now sounds off at a louder "tick" and a faster pace than normal.

 

I have no idea what causes this system tone change, and the last time it happened it somehow changed back to normal a couple random days later when I got in my car after work. Now, it happened again and it's bugging the heck out of me. I've reset driver settings from the steering wheel, tried turning features (such as Backup Assist) off and on, but the new audio tones persist. It's almost like these sounds were some default used in early production testing, before they updated to user-friendly tones.

 

Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a known fix?

Hi Silverpine,

 

I see you mentioned in a later post you'll be heading to your dealer for this. Do you have an appointment set? Once you do, please send me a PM with your VIN, mileage, best daytime phone, full name, and dealer name/location. I'll send this up to your customer service manager.

 

Meagan

[hybridbear]

What's your build date? This post may apply to your car depending on the build date.

[SIlverpine]

What's your build date? This post may apply to your car depending on the build date.

 

My build date is October 2013. Sounds like this could be the other audio tone issue, I'll bring this to the service agent to verify, thank you!

Edited January 7, 2015 by SIlverpine

[hybridbear]

My build date is October 2013. Sounds like this could be the other audio tone issue, I'll bring this to the service agent to verify, thank you!

You're welcome. Credit also goes to GrySql, who posted all the SSMs in that thread for the benefit of the community.

[Riggo]

I notice that If I turn the car on and have the back up or front sensor beep going off while I pull out, all of the radio/panel/touch screen beeps will be much louder for the rest of the trip. If I start the car and have no sensors go off while pulling out, all of the beeps will be soothing quiet for the remainder of the trip. I am not sure if this is what you are talking about or not though.

It's definitely annoying when the beeps are loud though. I figure it is just some glitch the cars have.

[soundezgn]

Hi Silverpine,

 

I see you mentioned in a later post you'll be heading to your dealer for this. Do you have an appointment set? Once you do, please send me a PM with your VIN, mileage, best daytime phone, full name, and dealer name/location. I'll send this up to your customer service manager.

 

Meagan

 

I'm experiencing the same problem right now. One morning last week my 2014 Fusion Hybrid displayed the same symptoms... Audio tones became harsh, emitting from the left of the dash, rather than through the sound system. The center stack view screen shows "System Off to Save Battery" as soon as the cabin door opens, and the dash side screens don't light up for a few seconds, unlike previously. I've also noticed issues with the remote window operation.

I I took the vehicle into my local dealer, and even after demonstrating the issues with the windows, the dash screens and describing the change in sounds, the Service Manager and mechanic claimed the vehicle was working properly.

Could someone give me more information on the solution, and if anyone has been able to resolve the issue!

Thanks!

[murphy]

If the battery saver has come into play the 12 volt battery is below 11.8 volts. The dealer should have tested your 12 volt battery. Connect a battery charger to the terminals under the hood and fully charge the battery. Or take the car out onto a highway and drive at least 25 miles at 55 mph or above.

[corncobs]

If the battery saver has come into play the 12 volt battery is below 11.8 volts. The dealer should have tested your 12 volt battery. Connect a battery charger to the terminals under the hood and fully charge the battery. Or take the car out onto a highway and drive at least 25 miles at 55 mph or above.

I agree with the first part but I used to believe the second part about charging the battery.

 

Just yesterday I drove 200 miles most of it 55 MPH or above and my BS message still came on when I turned the car off in my garage.

 

I know I need to see my dealer and I will if I can find the time.

[Griswald]

I've seen that message once or twice when it was real cold (for around here, less than 20 degrees is real cold).

 

Seems to have gone away with a warming trend.

[hybridbear]

I've seen that message once or twice when it was real cold (for around here, less than 20 degrees is real cold).

 

Seems to have gone away with a warming trend.

Temperatures have an impact. In our cold winters here we have noticed that the 12V in the Energi is usually only in the high 80s or low 90s for SOC according to the BCM. During the warm weather and when we were in Cali last month the car showed 97-100% for the 12V SOC almost all the time.

[acdii]

CC your battery may be on its way out. With the long periods your car sat, it may have been damaged. If you have a conditioning charger, put it on overnight and see what it does, if you dont, you can borrow mine.

[SIlverpine]

Update:

 

My condition has not changed yet. Car battery still shows the same error messages on the MFT, and the audio tones for the car features are still different and harsh. First appointment did not yield success as the dealership did not have an "electrical specialist" who could look into the issue as required.

 

I have a different appointment on February 16th with a different dealership who Ford Customer Service put me in touch with. Will reply here with the results when I have them.

[Easy Rider]

 

I I took the vehicle into my local dealer, and even after demonstrating the issues with the windows, the dash screens and describing the change in sounds, the Service Manager and mechanic claimed the vehicle was working properly.

Could someone give me more information on the solution, and if anyone has been able to resolve the issue!

Thanks!

 

The service people at your dealership are morons.

It happens WAY too frequently these days.

 

Many, many, MANY owners here have reported the "battery saver" message (sometimes referred to as the BS message) and without fail the 12 V battery was bad.

Alas, some have had trouble with the shop like you are having.

 

You need to contact the Ford warranty help line and politely RAISE HELL.

Or go to a different Ford or Lincoln dealer in your area.

At a minimum the battery needs to be replaced; then the charging voltage needs to be checked.

[Easy Rider]

I know I need to see my dealer and I will if I can find the time.

You WILL find the time.......when the car fails to start sometime in the near future.

And Mr. Murphy says that will happen at the WORST possible time.

It is much better if YOU pick the time yourself. :)

[corncobs]

You WILL find the time.......when the car fails to start sometime in the near future.

And Mr. Murphy says that will happen at the WORST possible time.

It is much better if YOU pick the time yourself. :)

In this case I'm just going to turn around and work from home. ;)

 

@ acdii thanks for the offer but I have a small charger. I needed one a few years ago when the old Explorers battery was going weak.

I did charge mine up before Christmas but again it sat for two weeks in the garage over Christmas and it seems even the solar charger isn't helping anymore.

[SIlverpine]

FIXED as of Feb 16: Ford service ran the tests on my hybrid battery and found it to fail, was not holding a charge and I was "lucky to even start the car." Battery was replaced with new unit under warranty. The details of why the battery failed could not be determined, but for anyone else seeing these problems you need to have it checked before you end up stranded with a dead battery.