Powertrain malfunction/reduced power

[Ffdlt371]

This is the message I have gotten for about the last 10 months or so. It would warm me. Then I would drive anyway and shut it off when I stopped. When I would get back in and start, it would go away. Each time it happened, I had the wrench symbol illuminated on the dash.

I finally got tired of this happening and went to my dealer. They looked at it today. When I picked it up they told me they did 2 things. One, they looked at axel bolts and said they passed inspection. Great, no service needed.
2nd, they told me there is a TSB on my powertrain issue. They have to order parts. They are going to give me a new battery, a new starter and a new alternator! Wow, not bad for a TSB. They told me that it's an issue with the system between the starter and the alternator. That is killing the battery. We'll see how it turns out when they have the parts. All of this should be a recall. So, so many owners having their batteries drained and ruined. Costing Ford a mint. A 2024, same build as a 22 or to 23 is $16000 higher. That's nuts.

Also, I'm a little ticked off. The damn dealer did whatever they did to check my issue, but one part of it must have been turn on all the lights and drain his battery. Then give it back to me with a battery that is 35% charged!! Really@#$$ I'm calling them tomorrow to complain and rip em. I had not been getting any " turning off to save power" messages. That is, until I got back from the dealer and then I put it on my charger. Come on man!!

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[22MYPowerboostXLT]

I have the same issue. It happens randomly. No rhyme or reason. Although in my opinion it tends to rear it's ugly head when ambient conditions are moist or high humidity. That just may be a personal observation of mine, not sure? The dealer said the part is on order should be available sometime next month.

He is my issue. If enough of us have this issue, the part they used and called it a belt assisted generator(some might say alternator ?). Why can't we sue or enter a class action lawsuit. They know it's defective. I even filed a complaint notice with the NHTSA alleging their gross neglect. Terrible! Absolutely terrible.

If I have more issues in the next 10K miles after the repair, I'm going dump this recall machine and get a solid built problem.free Toyota! Sorry for the rant.

 

[emiantan]

I shared on another thread today, but I had the same issue. I was at the dealership today and a new alternator is on order. He didn't say anything about a starter. I purchased a new battery two weeks ago so I am a little frustrated I didn't hold off a little longer, but that's on me.

 

[Ffdlt371]

I changed my battery out already also. I'm definitely going to make sure I get it back. At least we all know that the "powertrain fault" is false. My dealer called it an alternator. And he did say starter also. It makes sense that the charging system is not working correctly and that's why all of the low charge state on the batteries. Get it together Ford!

 

[1stF150Powerboost]

This is the message I have gotten for about the last 10 months or so. It would warm me. Then I would drive anyway and shut it off when I stopped. When I would get back in and start, it would go away. Each time it happened, I had the wrench symbol illuminated on the dash.

I finally got tired of this happening and went to my dealer. They looked at it today. When I picked it up they told me they did 2 things. One, they looked at axel bolts and said they passed inspection. Great, no service needed.
2nd, they told me there is a TSB on my powertrain issue. They have to order parts. They are going to give me a new battery, a new starter and a new alternator! Wow, not bad for a TSB. They told me that it's an issue with the system between the starter and the alternator. That is killing the battery. We'll see how it turns out when they have the parts. All of this should be a recall. So, so many owners having their batteries drained and ruined. Costing Ford a mint. A 2024, same build as a 22 or to 23 is $16000 higher. That's nuts.

Also, I'm a little ticked off. The damn dealer did whatever they did to check my issue, but one part of it must have been turn on all the lights and drain his battery. Then give it back to me with a battery that is 35% charged!! Really@#$$ I'm calling them tomorrow to complain and rip em. I had not been getting any " turning off to save power" messages. That is, until I got back from the dealer and then I put it on my charger. Come on man!!

Hi, I have the 2023 PB XLT but have not had this issue. I did however got the "stop now..." and vehicle will not start. Curious, if that has that also happened to you?

Thanks!

 

[Ffdlt371]

Hi, I have the 2023 PB XLT but have not had this issue. I did however got the "stop now..." and vehicle will not start. Curious, if that has that also happened to you?

Thanks!

The stop now, has not happened to me. Just the powertrain warming and the low power state.

 

[1stF150Powerboost]

The stop now, has not happened to me. Just the powertrain warming and the low power state.

OK thanks. Hopefully, I do not get this one also.

 

[TarnishedCopper]

Hi, I have the 2023 PB XLT but have not had this issue. I did however got the "stop now..." and vehicle will not start. Curious, if that has that also happened to you?

Thanks!

My personal opinion is that Electronic and Electrical Engineers have designed and Ford is building trucks (and probably other vehicles) that are far too complex to be dependable. There are simply too many individual components that can faulter or fail. Most dealerships and their technicians are probably lagging at least 5 years behind in the technology and experience to diagnose and repair these complicated vehicles. Why can't they build a vehicle without all of the bells and whistles with the basic equipment? It still pizzes me off that I was unable to get Sirius XM Radio and the NAV package when I bought this damned thing. It's been recalled twice, and been back to the dealer for electrical problems, lock problems etc. I don't need a "House on wheels," just a reasonably comfortable dependable vehicle with the basic power and air.

 

[Samson16]

My personal opinion is that Electronic and Electrical Engineers have designed and Ford is building trucks (and probably other vehicles) that are far too complex to be dependable. There are simply too many individual components that can faulter or fail. Most dealerships and their technicians are probably lagging at least 5 years behind in the technology and experience to diagnose and repair these complicated vehicles. Why can't they build a vehicle without all of the bells and whistles with the basic equipment? It still pizzes me off that I was unable to get Sirius XM Radio and the NAV package when I bought this damned thing. It's been recalled twice, and been back to the dealer for electrical problems, lock problems etc. I don't need a "House on wheels," just a reasonably comfortable dependable vehicle with the basic power and air.

But you deliberately purchased the most advanced and complex powertrain available? Sell it and buy what you actually want. Plenty of Rams on the lot.

 

[22MYPowerboostXLT]

I changed my battery out already also. I'm definitely going to make sure I get it back. At least we all know that the "powertrain fault" is false. My dealer called it an alternator. And he did say starter also. It makes sense that the chatting system is not working correctly and that's why all of the low charge state on the batteries. Get it together Ford!

I believe this vehicle has both a "belt assisted alternator, and a belt assisted starter". Not sure why the fancy terms? So basically every one of these they made has this defect?

 

[Snakebitten]

The Powerboost does not have an alternator.
I can understand the term being used by someone that is not well versed in the Powerboost, but it's a bit worrisome if it's the technician using the terminology.
And I admit that Ford is very guilty of brutalizing the English language with their poor wordsmithing in their official documentation.

The traditional belt driven alternator is not present on the 3.5 Ecoboost engine in the Powerboost. Instead, there is a electronic converter that converts the ~300V Hybrid battery current to low voltage current for the 12V system.
You do not even have to start the truck to enable the "digital alternator". Accessory Mode enables it and so we KNOW the engine isn't even running, yet the necessary current is being provided.

20 seconds later

 

[Ffdlt371]

I'm simply stating what the dealer person told me. I will be bringing up the use of terms when I talk to them again.

 

[Snakebitten]

I'm simply stating what the dealer person told me. I will be bringing up the use of terms when I talk to them again.

I meant no disparagment of you or anyone who posted here. I assure you.
And I really would like to know what component(s) are being ordered and replaced.

The BISG (Ford's acronym for the "Belt Integrated Starter Generator) has been being mentioned in various threads as being replaced on folks trucks.
I personally believe that the warning Stop Safely Now, or Power Train Malfunction, are both generic in the sense that multiple things can trigger those alerts. Neither the remedy or the cause will always be the same.

 

[KTM753]

Belt Integrated Starter Generator is a marketing term used by Valeo to describe their alternator that can generate or motor. It's used in mild hybrid setups all over the automotive industry. Other companies manufacturer their own version. It generates electricity but can also take in voltage/current to motor, ie - start the ICE engine.

 

[Snakebitten]

Belt Integrated Starter Generator is a marketing term used by Valeo to describe their alternator that can generate or motor. It's used in mild hybrid setups all over the automotive industry. Other companies manufacturer their own version. It generates electricity but can also take in voltage/current to motor, ie - start the ICE engine.

That makes a lot of sense.
And I'm convinced that depending on how it is used/deployed, it might be used as a starter, yet never a generator.

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