Battery Management System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: When any vehicle module is being programmed, connect an external battery charger to make sure the module programming is completed without the interruption due to the load shedding feature becoming active. The external battery charger must maintain a system voltage above 13 volts. This may require a charger setting higher than the lowest charge setting. The external battery charger negative connection must be made to an engine or vehicle chassis ground and not the negative battery terminal. If the connection is to the negative battery terminal, load shedding cannot be prevented from being invoked and module programming may be corrupted. After charging has begun, start the engine to clear any load shed states and then turn the engine off and proceed with programming.

This vehicle is equipped with load shed strategy. The BCM monitors the battery state of charge using the battery current sensor attached to the negative battery cable and the system voltage supplied to the BCM during 8 continuous hours of vehicle sleep time (key off with doors closed).

To maintain correct operation of the load shed system, ground any electrical devices or equipment to the chassis ground and not the negative battery terminal. A connection to the negative battery terminal may cause an inaccurate measurement of the battery state of charge and may cause incorrect load shed system operation.

Load Shed State	Entry Conditions	Impact to Features	Clear Conditions
Load shed 1	If vehicle speed is below 16 km/h (10 mph) Voltage to the PSCM is less than 11.5 volts. PSCM measures current draw greater than 0 amps. If vehicle speed is above 16 km/h (10 mph) Voltage to the BCM is less than 11.6 volts.	Climate controlled seats switch from HIGH to MED. If they are already at MED, the state does not change.	Voltage to the BCM is greater than 12.7 volts or the generator field duty cycle is less than 88%.
Load shed 2 transient	Voltage to the PSCM is less than 11.0 volts. PSCM measures current draw greater than 20 amps.	If equipped, climate controlled seats are disabled, but the indicators remain illuminated. If equipped, rear defrost and heated mirrors are disabled, but the indicator remains illuminated.	Voltage to the BCM is greater than 12.4 volts.
Load shed 2 continuous	Vehicle was in load shed 2 transient state for greater than 20 seconds.	If equipped, climate controlled seats are disabled and the indicators are off. If equipped, rear defrost and heated mirrors are disabled and the indicator is off. If equipped with DAMB , the blower motor is reduced to 50% speed and the blower speed indicator reflects this. If equipped, DC /AC inverter [Alternating Current (AC) powerpoint] is disabled. The base message center displays LOW BATTERY LESS FEATURES. The optional message center displays LOW BATTERY FEATURES TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF.	Voltage to the BCM is greater than 12.4 volts for more than 60 seconds.

Load Shed State

Entry Conditions

Impact to Features

Clear Conditions

Load shed 1

If vehicle speed is below 16 km/h (10 mph)

Voltage to the PSCM is less than 11.5 volts.
PSCM measures current draw greater than 0 amps.

If vehicle speed is above 16 km/h (10 mph)

Voltage to the BCM is less than 11.6 volts.

Climate controlled seats switch from HIGH to MED. If they are already at MED, the state does not change.

Voltage to the BCM is greater than 12.7 volts or the generator field duty cycle is less than 88%.

Load shed 2 transient

Voltage to the PSCM is less than 11.0 volts.
PSCM measures current draw greater than 20 amps.

If equipped, climate controlled seats are disabled, but the indicators remain illuminated.
If equipped, rear defrost and heated mirrors are disabled, but the indicator remains illuminated.

Voltage to the BCM is greater than 12.4 volts.

Load shed 2 continuous

Vehicle was in load shed 2 transient state for greater than 20 seconds.

If equipped, climate controlled seats are disabled and the indicators are off.
If equipped, rear defrost and heated mirrors are disabled and the indicator is off.
If equipped with DAMB , the blower motor is reduced to 50% speed and the blower speed indicator reflects this.
If equipped, DC /AC inverter [Alternating Current (AC) powerpoint] is disabled.
The base message center displays LOW BATTERY LESS FEATURES.
The optional message center displays LOW BATTERY FEATURES TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF.

Voltage to the BCM is greater than 12.4 volts for more than 60 seconds.