Ford Techs

[JC 97]

My employer has 2 c-max hybrids. They have asked me if I would be interested in maintaining/fixing these cars. I have never worked on one. I do not know too much about the systems and how they work with one another. My question is this, did you receive special training? I am assuming that you did. Would I be able to fix anything on these other then regular maintenance? Are these very Ford specific ? as in special tools/computers to diagnose repairs. The cars are fully loaded also, at a minimum I think I would need a service manual but even with that would the cost of tools be cost prohibitive?

 

[Bronco638]

At this point, I'm guessing that not only would you need a shop manual, you'd need diagnostic software, too. I'm sure "regular maintenance stuff" is information you could easily glean from the interwebz but more serious stuff would require hard/software you might not have.

 

[CajunPwnStar]

If your employer is willing to drop $3-4k, you can get an IDS package.... http://scantoolresource.com/home/ford/ford-integrated-diagnostic-tool/

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, there isn't much that you are going to be able to do on them by yourself. It's almost all fully integrated with the electronics.

There is a lot on those that even we can't do because you can't buy service parts, just assemblies. On the other hand, there isn't a lot that goes wrong with them aside from the battery dying because people insist on leaving things plugged into charger ports.

Just make sure all your modules are fully updated. There was an emissions recall over it (14E02 I think). But even stuff as simple as brakes becomes complex on a hybrid.

 

[JC 97]

Thanks for the reply's. I was thinking that the cars would have to go to the dealer. I work for a non-profit. They are always looking for ways to save money on some things but spend it on things that you wouldn't think. I know that they would not buy any software or tools. The equipment mechanic is retiring and they want someone to work on all the equipment and vehicles, lawnmowers, snow blowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, lawn tractors, trailers,plow truck, van, buses, and c-max. He used to do the power equipment and the rest was sent out, now they want one person to do all the repairs on every piece of equipment. I did not think of the brakes being an issue on the c-max but they are regenerative. I have never serviced that type.

 

[adsm08]

I don't know if this holds true on this new generation of hybrids, but on the first generation for Ford hybrids servicing the brake pads, which are not part of the regenerative braking system you mention, required special measures.

The regenerative system turns the electric motor on the trans into a generator to charge the traction battery, that's it's own system.

The service brakes, which wear backwards, because the front does literally nothing unless you are panic braking, but the rears operate normally. The problem is that normally, even with the key off and all, the ABS system will "exercise" the hydraulics using the fluid pump to generate pressure. If this happens, and it will, while you have the calipers off, POP, they expand and blow the pistons out. There was a service mode you can put it into to shut that down, but it required a scan tool to access.

 

[JC 97]

I've read a little about the system but have not found too much. I thought that the c-max would be more involved but had no idea to what extent. The people who are making the decisions are assuming it is just like any other car and it should be a piece of cake. They hold the same theory for every piece of equipment. There is no scan tool because all the tools we have are geared toward lawn equipment. Thank you for the info. That is the kind of stuff I was looking for. It will help me make an informed decision.

 

[adsm08]

You will be able to do basic maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations. Without advanced scanner equipment that will be the extent of it. You can't even replace the battery on most newer Fords properly without a scanner because they have a "smart" charging system, and if you don't tell the computer you replaced the battery it overcharges it and burns it up.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

You can't even replace the battery on most newer Fords properly without a scanner because they have a "smart" charging system, and if you don't tell the computer you replaced the battery it overcharges it and burns it up.

That's not very smart.

 

[black_demon69]

That's not very smart.

especially when you have to tell the computer what to do

 

[adsm08]

That's not very smart.

I agree. I think it's an awful idea. Especially since we have battery problems and I don't get any extra time to reset the BMS.

The only neat thing that they were actually able to accomplish with it is that the car can monitor battery draw with the key off. It's really really useless, because if the battery dies that information gets wiped, but it's neat to have.