Ford is recalling 120v chargers

[thanhdaica1985]

I waited 3 hours to get this done on Saturday. Took a quick nap at the dealer. Woke up and drank their complimentary K-cup coffee and drank like 10 mini-water bottle (also complimentary) while bing-watched Z-nation on Netflix. May as well enjoyed the half day wait and maximize their complimentary amenities.

 

[thanhdaica1985]

Just wondering how long do you have to wait for the part to arrive? It's getting close to 3 weeks now since I took my car in for the recall. They told me to come back when the part arrives. I haven't heard from them since ... Ford is terrible with their service department. I've never had any problem when I owned a Honda.

 

[TrojanEV]

I'm beginning to hate Ford and Ford service with the strength of a thousand suns. I took my charger in 3-4 weeks ago, and they confirmed that it was eligible for replacement (I would hope so, since the rubber is melting away) and I was told the part wasn't available (despite the most recent recall letter saying it was... go figure). No status updates from my dealer... I have to call and bug them every couple weeks to see if it's available. Still nothing. I hope my house doesn't burn down in the meantime. I'll be sure to sue Ford for every last penny if it does.

 

[TrojanEV]

My part finally came in (after I called the dealership again of course... since they weren't organized enough to call me). Currently sitting in the service lounge waiting for them to "inspect" the vehicle (what a joke). This after I already brought the vehicle in once and they inspected the charger and confirmed it was eligible for replacement. They now insist they have to check for some codes or something. I call BS. I wish someone could tell us what the technical bulletin actually says they have to do. I have now spent 3+ hours of my life swapping out a damn charging cord. F!&@ Ford.

 

[thanhdaica1985]

My part finally came in (after I called the dealership again of course... since they weren't organized enough to call me). Currently sitting in the service lounge waiting for them to "inspect" the vehicle (what a joke). This after I already brought the vehicle in once and they inspected the charger and confirmed it was eligible for replacement. They now insist they have to check for some codes or something. I call BS. I wish someone could tell us what the technical bulletin actually says they have to do. I have now spent 3+ hours of my life swapping out a damn charging cord. F!&@ Ford.

5 weeks now and still no sign of the charger. Did they take away your old charger?

 

[EVA]

The letter saying they now have parts arrived in late January. We were in the middle of a move - so waited until early Feb to see our new Ford dealer. Nobody there knew anything about the recall - but they were happy to learn.

It took about 3 weeks for the Ford dealer in Indiana - near South Bend - to get the replacement part. The parts manager was super nice, they actually called me when the part arrived. The thing lists for $650. Had to go into the dealer to pick up the part - took about 30 minutes because they've never seen anything like that before and weren't real sure what to do.

The new EVSE is amazing - really gorgeous piece of equipment. Way better than the original.

Yes they do take the old one from you. It is a trade in program. I think they cut the cord and send it back to Ford (or dispose of it).

I have two of the recalled parts. The first one is linked to the car VIN. The second one, they weren't sure what Ford wanted to do. So I'm waiting for a call from the dealer. They expect the second one will be replaced also. Ford wants these taken out of use.

The whole exchange was kind of funny. The guy asked me, is the car here (I drove into the service bay with a green Tesla). I said, no you don't really need the car, it's just a swap for this thing. He smiled, went away, and had about three other people help figure out how to do the paper work. Essentially, it took about 30 minutes for them to do the paper work. (drove the Tesla because we are new to the area, the Nav really sucks on the FFE, and we didn't want to get lost).

Bottom line - you don't have to take your car in for this recall. Just take the letter and they will figure it all out.

 

[thanhdaica1985]

The letter saying they now have parts arrived in late January. We were in the middle of a move - so waited until early Feb to see our new Ford dealer. Nobody there knew anything about the recall - but they were happy to learn.

It took about 3 weeks for the Ford dealer in Indiana - near South Bend - to get the replacement part. The parts manager was super nice, they actually called me when the part arrived. The thing lists for $650. Had to go into the dealer to pick up the part - took about 30 minutes because they've never seen anything like that before and weren't real sure what to do.

The new EVSE is amazing - really gorgeous piece of equipment. Way better than the original.

Yes they do take the old one from you. It is a trade in program. I think they cut the cord and send it back to Ford (or dispose of it).

I have two of the recalled parts. The first one is linked to the car VIN. The second one, they weren't sure what Ford wanted to do. So I'm waiting for a call from the dealer. They expect the second one will be replaced also. Ford wants these taken out of use.

The whole exchange was kind of funny. The guy asked me, is the car here (I drove into the service bay with a green Tesla). I said, no you don't really need the car, it's just a swap for this thing. He smiled, went away, and had about three other people help figure out how to do the paper work. Essentially, it took about 30 minutes for them to do the paper work. (drove the Tesla because we are new to the area, the Nav really sucks on the FFE, and we didn't want to get lost).

Bottom line - you don't have to take your car in for this recall. Just take the letter and they will figure it all out.

You got lucky that your dealer is so nice. Not so much for my dealer. Every time I call to check on the cord, my adviser blames it on Ford. He said that they have charger cord on hands but the recall part is different. That's just a load BS. I submitted a complaint to BBB. I'll wait and see how long it'll take them now.

 

[Heima]

Hey EVA, do you happen to have a picture of that new EVSE? Thanks.

 

[thanhdaica1985]

Hey EVA, do you happen to have a picture of that new EVSE? Thanks.

EVA, could you also post the part number of the new EVSE? Thanks.

 

[thanhdaica1985]

Finally got my new charger on Saturday. It seems that my complaint to BBB helped speeding things up.

 

[triangles]

You do need to take your car in. I got around to doing this last week. I went in and they ordered the new EVSE. It only took a couple of days for them to call and tell me the parts were in. Apparently in addition to the EVSE they replace the foam "organizer" for the new cord which conveniently didn't fit my tire pump. On the old EVSE they cut the cords in 4 places so it cannot be reused and send the pieces back to ford so they get credit for the new EVSE. So for me it only took about 5-10 minutes of waiting for them to do this. If your EVSE part number ends in "AF" or earlier (a letter alphabetically before "F") this recall applies. if your EVSE part number ends after "AF" (ie "AG" "AH" etc..) it does not apply to you.

I thought I saw it on here but maybe it was elsewhere I read about who makes the replacements and that they are 240V capable. I can't seem to find it now if anyone has any links or info I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[EVA]

Hey EVA, do you happen to have a picture of that new EVSE? Thanks.

EVA, could you also post the part number of the new EVSE? Thanks.

Sure - sorry I didn't get to this sooner.
Doesn't appear to have a part number on the unit.

Ah look at that, a generic black handle - did away with the Ford branding - darn.

 

[EVA]

Triangles - that is a different experience from me. They really didn't need or want the car. Nice you took it in and they carved up the cubby hole. If I had to guess, you live in an area where there are more than one FFE's and they had some experience with the car. The place I went to, they've never seen an FFE or a charging cable.

 

[triangles]

If I had to guess, you live in an area where there are more than one FFE's and they had some experience with the car. The place I went to, they've never seen an FFE or a charging cable.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Nope, EVs are pretty sparse in Ohio. You are somewhat correct though, besides mine they have seen exactly 1 other FFE. So yes they have seen more than one. :lol: It's just that they've seen so much of my Fix Or Repair Daily FFE that they have become familiar with it. The problem is getting past the clueless appointment scheduling people and to my service adviser who I have on speed dial. I basically made an appointment and then talked to the service adviser who can grease the skids to so to speak and make things go smoothly. I wish I still had the original cubby insert as the air pump doesn't fit the new insert. I can easily fix that with a hot knife since it's just foam.

EVA the part# is by the QR code looking thing in the lower right of the label: HS78-10B706-AA

Still wish I could find where I read about who made it and whether or not it is 240V capable.

 

[triangles]

So I did a little digging and it looks like the warranty charge cords are indeed 240V capable. Just need a plug adapter. Since I'm temporarily unemployed I'm not spending any money I don't have to. So I will wait untill I'm employed to make my plug adapter.

The EVSE is made by Clipper Creek and I assume assembled by Delphi (Delphi logo on inside of cover). I popped the cover off mine and this is what's inside:

The MOVs are the three "blobs" just below the relays. "ZNR" Part# E14431 which is rated for 275VAC. It's apparently identical to the EVSE GM provides with the '16 and later Volt which is verified on a Volt forum to operate on 240V with a simple plug adapter. Here's the nerd porn from their testing: http://imgur.com/a/vFkP5

If the imgur link goes down I re-uploaded them below:

 

[jmueller065]

Makes me want to crack open the one in my Bolt to see if its the same ! (I don't even think I've taken off the plastic for that guy LOL).

 

[triangles]

You could always try the dim bulb test as described in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbGoYHMrF1w
It doesn't guarantee you won't let the smoke out if it's not 240V capable but makes it much less likely. I'd be surprised if they supplied a different EVSE than the Volt with your Bolt.

 

[JTCalif]

Swapped 120v charge cord at Ford dealer today; took about 45 minutes.
Ran it for 1 hour, saw battery increase from 71 to 77%
(in my 2015 FFE, with estimated capacity about 18 kWh, so maybe 1.1 kWh gain).
My PG&E meter showed about 1.36 kW being sent to car. Felt just a slight warmth in the heavy cord, and even less warmth in the plug at 120v. outlet.
Saw a neat electric tire pump in the new foam assembly, did not try it yet. Seems to have switch for inflate vs. repair, if I interpret the little images right.
Heavy cord is 3 cond. 16 AWG + 1 cond. 18 AWG, made in USA.

 

[EVA]

Triangles, nice job finding the details about the Bolt EVSE . Wow - 111 pages of conversation. Amazing how the boxes look like exactly the same thing.

 

[triangles]

Thanks EVA. I'm not really sure how I stumbled upon it, but I'm glad that I did. I was surprised that the board revision for the '16 bolt EVSE was the same revision as the board in my recall replacement EVSE.