11 escape hybrid no HVB voltage??
 

Hi, I'm trying to fix a Ford escape hybrid that won't start. I've done this in the past to another one by wiring in an LED driver module inside the battery, getting it over 300v and firing right up.

So I removed the top of battery, verified 280v in the battery as reason it won't start. I wired in the charger and set about putting the car back together. After 20 minutes on charger, still no start. I took it apart again thinking maybe I had a bad crimp, but to my surprise, I now show zero volts on the hybrid battery. I can't explain how or why this happened. I verified 430v from the LED driver which is correct, but when disconnected, zero volts on the hybrid battery

Codes show:

P1a10-ff Hybrid powertrain control module disabled

P1a14-ff Hybrid Transmission disabled

I ohm'd the interlock plug and it shows zero so good there. I've disconnected the 12v battery for 20 minutes, cleared codes, no change. Same codes present. Am I correct in assuming the computer has disabled the hybrid battery and that's why I show no voltage in it anymore? I'm testing the voltage at the two "vestigal" wires that would have run the booster function that was decontented in the newer escapes. Located wrapped in foam on drivers side of hybrid battery (under cover).

How do I re-enable the hybrid battery? I've pressed the red button in the jack compartment, fiddled with the interlock plug, but can't get the battery to show any voltage at the two wires. Can forscan re-enable the battery and transmission? Not sure what to try next.

Re: 11 escape hybrid no HVB voltage??
 

What voltage does the BCM report?

Re: 11 escape hybrid no HVB voltage??
 

I didn't have forscan with me, just my regular obd2 unit. I've got 2 month extended license so I plan on scanning it this afternoon. Can forscan force the battery to re-enable?

Re: 11 escape hybrid no HVB voltage??
 

Forscan can clear all codes. Once clearing operation is completed, you need to turn the ignition off and wait 15 seconds. If you rush turning the ignition on, it won't reset.

Re: 11 escape hybrid no HVB voltage??
 

So clearing the code will re-enable the hybrid battery so I can check voltage on it again? I'm checking voltage at the two small wires on the drivers side of the battery (inside the pack), and not on the passenger side at the big terminals that require removal of components to access.

Re: 11 escape hybrid no HVB voltage??
 

Maybe.

The goal is to check what the BCM reports for voltage.

Re: 11 escape hybrid no HVB voltage??
 

Thanks, I'll check it out this afternoon. I know the hybrid battery had 286v at the start of all this, measured with a Volt meter. . After installing the charger I cleared all the codes with my scanner for good measure. Maybe that disabled the battery and transmission since the battery had less than nominal voltage.

Re: 11 escape hybrid no HVB voltage??
 

What current can the supply provide? Did you install a diode in the circuit? If there's a diode in the circuit, are you measuring on the charger or battery side of the diode?

Re: 11 escape hybrid no HVB voltage??
 

430v on th charger. It takes 30 minutes or less typically to bring one of these from 280ish to over 300 to start the car, in my past experience. The charger should not be used for more than an hour for safety concerns of over heating the battery or over charging it. No diode installed, the charger is internally protected.

I removed the charger entirely and all connections, stripped the wires back fresh and measured at them directly, it's measuring like 3 hundredth of a Volt. I plan to try forscan after work today to see what the computer reads for voltage, there is no possible way the battery went from 286v to zero in a matter of minutes. So I believe the "battery disabled" code has somehow disabled voltage reading on the two small wires I'm using (which probably feed into the battery control module). I'm sure if I were to disassemble the passenger side components in the battery and access the positive and negative terminals I should see correct voltage. I'm just trying to avoid that hassle.

Re: 11 escape hybrid no HVB voltage??
 

Keep in mind that you're talking to the guy that posted the charging instructions 8 years ago. :P

430V is voltage, not current. Can I assume 350mA?

If 350mA, you can safely charge for AT LEAST 4 hours and likely notably more as very little heat is produced below 70% SoC, thus 10 hours of charging is LIKELY safe. 30 minutes @ 350mA is an inadequate to restore sufficient charge to the cells to prevent damage. 2 hours minimum @ 350mA.

I have seen LED power supplies get destroyed because their internal protection fails. They are NOT designed to have a battery pushing back at them. If you still get 430V at the power supply, that's probably not what's happened. I highly recommend a diode.

Furthermore, even a battery discharged to zero will experience a voltage rebound unless a cell has a complete short that will drain and hold the battery at near 0V.

I do not recall if that connection is fused.

I do not believe the computer can disable that circuit in any way. It does NOT go through the primary relay, as those were for the jump starter which would ONLY operate when the car is completely off.

I do not recall if that circuit is affected by the safety plug. Have you confirmed the safety plug is in place and the fuse in the safety plug is good?

You measuring millivolts there suggests 1) the circuit is open or 2) the battery has completely discharged.

If the BCM is reporting a voltage, then you know there's a physical or measurement issue.