Quickclear front screen

[Martingg]

Having issues with my Edge Quickclear front screen.. Every time I need to use it it won’t work. Been back to Ford several times and had the battery replaced. Apparently if you battery is lower than 80% it won’t work. I have just picked my car up from Bristol Street after having the Fastclear screen check and was told it did not work as my battery was only at 51%. I am at a loss at why this is the charging system checks out and the car is used on a daily for at least 10 miles or even more. The only extra I have fitted is a front and rear accident camera that was professionally fitted by a local auto electrical company (Turners). The car starts easily and the heated rear screen works as do all the other manafactures  fitted auxiliary items. Can some one shine some light on this. My mate has an 2009 Monda fitted with the same camera and he has no issues with his screen.

[simonb65]

First, I would find out where your 'professional' installers have tapped the power for the camera's from, then go from there. Rule out non-standard, recently added stuff, before thinking its something wrong with the car. The Left and right sides of the windscreen are fused and relay driven separately, so its something common to both, that leaves the GEM and whatever it needs in order to switch the heaters on, i.e. panel switch (although you can control it via Sync), supply voltage (influenced by battery state and alternator output). There is also the common ground to the windscreen elements.

I would get a multi-meter on the fuse outputs and check to see if that's ok, then check the GEM ECU for any DTC's. If there is an over-current or open circuit element, you may have a fault code logged.

There is also an option to Enable/Disable the front heated screen in the GEM, so that needs to be checked to ensure it hasn't been disabled (either accidentally or through corruption of the config)!

You also mention 'Bristol Street' ... I would go somewhere else as I've never had a single good experience from them and their service/technical department is useless. So maybe take it to an independent Ford dealer who cares about its customers and the cars they service!

[Martingg]

Just had a conversation with my local vehicle electrical specialists and they believe the accident camera is not at fault as it draws so little current. It has less an impact than a very cold night. What was suggested it was my town driving with the auto stop start system causing the drain. It takes about 5 miles to restore the battery of the charge used for every stop start. I will be trying a few experiments. One being switching off the stop starting system and monitoring how the batteries charge holds out. This will have to be done on every journey as can permanently switch the system off. This will be monitored using a battery charge % gauge. The next will be by programming the parking monitor so it is switched off when the vehicle is parked. Will report on what results I get

[Martingg]

Used to work for Bristol Street in Bromley many years ago also Dees in Croydon both had their problems. The car has now been to both with the same diagnostic that battery was below 80% thus front heated screen won’t work. No real explanation other than to point the finger at the accident camera as it none standard. As said in a previous post visited the people who fitted the camera they checked the power drain and was very low in the region were it should be, and pointed more at the stop start system when driving round town. As said going to do a couple of tests to try to get to the bottom what’s causing the drain

[simonb65]

17 hours ago, Martingg said:

What was suggested it was my town driving with the auto stop start system causing the drain. It takes about 5 miles to restore the battery of the charge used for every stop start.

Your short drive cycles and especially this time of year when the lights are on does sort the good batteries from the bad!

However, I have worked on Auto Stop-Start systems for a number of automotive and off-road manufacturers, and I would say that the system is very complex and takes into account around 8 to 10 vehicle parameters (including engine mechanical service loads like A/C, HVAC state, engine oil temp, outside air temp, coolant temp, battery state, electrical load ... which in a lot of systems, is partially dumped during the stop start cycle), drive cycle duty times and frequency of those cycles. The system will not allow a stop (and hence a required subsequent start) to occur if any of those criteria is not met. I would not expect that to cause you issues with the battery unless there is a fault with one of the sensors that monitor battery state of charge. If that is indicating a better state than the battery really is, then that would be the only reason for what you are seeing or have been told.

Most ECU's on modern vehicles consume less than 1mA (usually in the uA range) when in sleep mode or if not essential to security or entry/exit, are powered off altogether by another ECU. Drain on your battery when the car is asleep is usually less than 10mA total. You have around 24 ECU's in an EDGE.

17 hours ago, Martingg said:

they checked the power drain and was very low in the region were it should be

So does your camera have a sleep mode too? What does it draw when the car is asleep? What do they quantify as very low? If its only got a single power input I suspect it won't sleep as it doesn't know when to! ... unless it has a builtin motion sensor!

[DAVEWILL5]

Hi  I have had exactly the same problem on a 2015 Galaxy Titanium X

Start stop and heated front screen stopped working around 12 months ago, and it has been back to the dealer on numerous occasions. Has had a new battery fitted but still doesn't work.

I have no camera fitted nor anything else to drain the battery,.

I charged the brand new battery for 6 hours, and after getting full charge on the battery charge machine drove the car for over 30 miles on a mixture of roads

When i stopped the car kept running, and showed the A symbol on the dashboard, but as ever, it was "greyed out" with a line running through it.

The message on the dash said "engine on due to vehicle charging" (see attached image)

Were you aware there is a message section on the dash for Auto Start/Stop?

Use the left arrow keys to go to Fuel mpg, then arrow up or down until you see the Auto Start /stop message

The Ford dealer has no idea what the problem is, a mechanic sat in the car with me for nearly an hour and connected his laptop and was totally confused by some of the readings he was getting

Personally i think this problem will never be fixed, so i am getting rid..

Best of luck!!

[Martingg]

Yes when the auto electrician checked the draw current it was just below the spec of 295ma (293). This was measured with the engine off. Not sure what the drain was with the accident camera in it standby mode, but maybe a question I should ask. Waiting on a digital battery charge condition gauge so can keep an easy eye on on battery charge condition. Also going to set up a battery charge socket similar to what I use on my BMW K1300 and connect to a battery optimiser/charger. I will be using a DIN socket and plug with a waterproof cap same as fitted as standard on the bike. I will also have a look at what Davewill5 said as not awear I had this facility. I am also in the mind that this car will go next year in favour of a Jag, Lexus or Audi

[Martingg]

Just had a look at the stop start on the info screen no facility to permanently switch off just that engine is running and is normal. Point less information, but like traction control no option to turn off

[Martingg]

Going back to the accident camera it has a motion sensor and impact sensor both area adjustable. Have now programed parking mode off so no current drain whilst car parked. The camera is a dual set up QVIA AR790

[simonb65]

On 12/5/2018 at 1:08 PM, Martingg said:

Just had a look at the stop start on the info screen no facility to permanently switch off just that engine is running and is normal. Point less information, but like traction control no option to turn off

As a manufacturer, they want you to use Start-Stop to reinforce their 'Green' credentials!! It is a pain, but my start routine is to press the start button, go to the centre console and turn stop start off, put it in drive and release the park brake ... Its like second nature to me now, but I really don't like it when it stops the engine so quickly after stopping.

As a side, I've noticed that if you put the car in reverse on a hill and release the brake, the car rolls back without being driven by the engine and it thinks the engine is not needed (forward speed is zero .. or less!)) 'cos the start-stop then stops the engine ... even though the car is still moving!! Bit of a software bug me thinks!!!

[Martingg]

I have now had a final decision by the dealer and Ford Motor Company. Over the Fastclear front screen. I have been told by my dealer that Ford does not accept that their is a problem as it functions as it should ie will not work with less than 80% battery charge. This is not a feasible level for the battery during winter and not seem substainable on a car like mine. This make the heated screen option a useful as a chocolate tea pot. The car can’t maintain a 80% plus charge during winter months without charging regulation from an external source. This is apparently as it should be according to Ford. With this feeble excuse Ford has with this failing to accept my next car will not be a Ford. My dealer has its hand tied and is unable to offer any further help even they are sympathetic to my plight and can’t under why the Edge systems are set this way (anyone else have this issue). It was noted by my dealer the battery charge dropped 2% just opening the car door. I am now stuck with the job of plugging the car in to an external charging source every night during the winter months to get round this car shortcomings.

[Owen1988]

It sounds like you and your dealer are being fobbed off by FMC.

Escalate this to Andy Barratt via email. Email address is easily found on google. I had an issue with my first Edge where it was off the road for 5 weeks. I won’t bore you with details but after contacting Andy Barratt, his office were very helpful sourcing parts with regular updates and organising and paying for a like for like rental car. I can’t fault their service. 

Don’t bother contacting Ford’s customer relationship centre, they were infuriating to deal with. The only word they know is NO.

Go straight to the top and outcomes can change. 

[Hamster]

5 hours ago, Martingg said:

I have now had a final decision by the dealer and Ford Motor Company. Over the Fastclear front screen. I have been told by my dealer that Ford does not accept that their is a problem as it functions as it should ie will not work with less than 80% battery charge. This is not a feasible level for the battery during winter and not seem substainable on a car like mine. This make the heated screen option a useful as a chocolate tea pot. The car can’t maintain a 80% plus charge during winter months without charging regulation from an external source. This is apparently as it should be according to Ford. With this feeble excuse Ford has with this failing to accept my next car will not be a Ford. My dealer has its hand tied and is unable to offer any further help even they are sympathetic to my plight and can’t under why the Edge systems are set this way (anyone else have this issue). It was noted by my dealer the battery charge dropped 2% just opening the car door. I am now stuck with the job of plugging the car in to an external charging source every night during the winter months to get round this car shortcomings.

Which dealer is it Martin?

H

[NeilRS]

I’ve only used my heated. Screen once and it was utterly useless. I was 20 minutes into my journey before I could see it working- by which time I’d had to clear it by traditional means. Now I know why! 

[Hamster]

I love mine, works any time its needed. Great for hotel car parks where you can sit in the warm and watch BMW owners getting their hands cold.

H

[simonb65]

Never had any issues with mine. Put it on when I start the car, Ice on the window starts melting in about 2 minutes. Single wipe and its clear! Never had issues with it delayed starting or not being effective. The battery charging on Fords for the last 10 years has been smart management. In the case of the EDGE (and models from around 2016 onwards) loads will get dumped or reduced in favour of charging the battery. I suspect the quality and state of the battery is causing you the issues rather than anything else. The duty cycle of the car is designed with winter driving as well as short journeys in mind. Does the auto stop/start stop frequently (if left enabled) as that wouldn't operate if the battery state of charge was not sufficiently being maintained!?

[DAVEWILL5]

Well as per my post above, i have been on both sides of the fence in terms of the Heated front screen and stop/start "issues"

The 2018 Edge i have now (sport) has been faultless in terms of stop/start and HFS.

They both work every time i need them and i love it

The 2016 Galaxy Titanium X i had before was a nightmare

Dealer kept telling me battery needed replacing/charging, but even after both happened stop/start and HFS still would not work

Personally i think Ford have a "glitch" in the stop/start system, that manifests itself in a few cars for whatever reason, and unfortunately if you have one of those cars, thats it, you are stuffed.

My only route was to get rid of the Galaxy, and hence thats why i ended up with the Edge, of which i am more than happy

On a side note if anyone needs an almost new battery (stop/start) that came off my Galaxy (i removed it before it was traded in), please contact me, my price will be around 50% of the new battery price

[kelvin1950]

I don't have this problem. The vehicle is made in Canada FFS! I would expect their winters to be slightly worse than ours. You're being fobbed off IMO.

[Edge of Reason]

Never had an issue with the heated screen. Couple of minutes and that’s it. I don’t like waiting, so I scrape the side windows and by that time the front and rear screens are clear. 

[Afc]

Hi, I have a 2018 edge st line,  the start/stop hasn’t worked for ages and more recently noticed the heated windscreen won’t work and heated steering wheel and seats not as hot as usual. battery replaced last week under warranty but do not see any improvement with above issues. Trying a trickle charger at the moment and will try the heated windscreen again the next time it’s frozen before contacting dealer again.

[simonb65]

4 hours ago, Afc said:

Hi, I have a 2018 edge st line,  the start/stop hasn’t worked for ages and more recently noticed the heated windscreen won’t work and heated steering wheel and seats not as hot as usual. Battery replaced last week under warranty but do not see any improvement with above issues. Trying a trickle charger at the moment and will try the heated windscreen again the next time it’s frozen before contacting dealer again.

Maybe the battery management sensor (BMS) needs resetting so it knows what a full charge is supposed to be. There is a method for doing it using a few button/pedal presses. Search for "ford edge bms reset" on YouTube. I think I've seen it on there, but can't remember where! Also, check if the battery sensor signal wire is actually connected.

[PeterBfd]

Had my Edge for 1 year now, Start/Stop and Quick clear screen has never worked

Had the Quick clear screen on for 10 mins and did nothing, blowers did the job on the ice on the windscreen the other day.

Plan to charge my battery up at the weekend to see if they start working after reading this Thread

[Yappy]

On 1/24/2021 at 2:06 PM, simonb65 said:

Maybe the battery management sensor (BMS) needs resetting so it knows what a full charge is supposed to be. There is a method for doing it using a few button/pedal presses. Search for "ford edge bms reset" on YouTube. I think I've seen it on there, but can't remember where! Also, check if the battery sensor signal wire is actually connected.

To reset the BMS

Ignition on, do not start the engine

Flash headlights five times 

Press break pedal 5 times 

The battery light on the dash should blink 3 times.

Ignition off 

Since I reset my BMS the vehicles start stop is much better and everything works as it should.

[PeterBfd]

Fully charged my battery at the weekend and the quick clear sorted my very icy screen within 60 seconds which was fab and the start/stop works when ever I need it.

[Trent Edge]

My battery is the original battery from 2016 so can probably do with being replaced soon. Reset the BMS and have noticed my heated windscreen seems to stay on now where as before it would turn itself off after a short while leaving the windscreen frozen.