Hybrid Heater Performance?

[Jim D]

Ask the Ford salesman how the heater works

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[clavicus]

Ask the Ford salesman how the heater works

And then consider taking their answer with a boulder of salt.

 

[clavicus]

Today was less than 30 degrees. I had ZERO issues heating my truck. Last night I went out and set my truck to max defrost(I used the last used selection on the options for remote start) so it would fire off in that setting this morning. I used my phone to start the truck....a few minutes later I looked and the window was nearly completely defrosted. You will not be upset with the heater elements.(The engine also fired off immediately)

Off-topic maybe or you may have already chimed in, but did you experience the rotten egg / engine revving behavior from cold remote start any of your mornings?

 

[STARCOMMTREY1]

Off-topic maybe or you may have already chimed in, but did you experience the rotten egg / engine revving behavior from cold remote start any of your mornings?

I have not

 

[Mikk]

Do a search for “hybrid heat” keywords you will find some discussion already. Sorry I’m on mobile or I would link one. Hybrid has no electric heating element for the cabin, its all the ICE. There is a heat exchange off the exhaust for battery liquid warming. Feels weird to call the liquid a coolant in this context lol.

edit: previous threads

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...n-is-heater-electric-or-from-the-engine.3988/

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/hybrid-in-the-cold-heat-functions.5394/

There actually is an electric heater in the HVAC system.
From section 412-03, "Supplementary Climate Control", of the 2022 Maverick service manual:

"Electric Booster Heater Operation

The electric booster heater ensures that the passenger compartment can be quickly warmed up when ambient temperatures are low. It is a heater element made up of ceramic resistors that is mounted in the climate control housing. It directly heats the airflow into the passenger compartment rapidly in the case of low ambient temperatures.

The current is switched via three electric booster heater relays located in the BJB/ BCMC. The HVAC module sends a request message over the MS-CAN network to the GWM. The BCMC receives a network message over the HS-CAN1 requesting to apply power and ground to energize the relays. The electric booster heater is supplied voltage from the relays and has a dedicated ground circuit.

The HVAC control module energizes the electric booster heater relays when the operating parameters have been met. The electric booster heater relays are activated or deactivated individually or together by the HVAC control module as needed.

Electric booster heater operating parameters:

-Engine is running
-HVAC controls have been switched to the highest temperature setting
-Engine coolant temperature is below approximately 75°C (167°F)
-Ambient air temperature is below approximately 12°C (53.6°F)
-Sufficient generator capacity is available

The electric booster heater is deactivated when an engine coolant temperature of approximately 85°C (185°F) or an ambient air temperature of approximately 15°C (59°F) is exceeded.

Component Description

The electric booster heater, also known as the PTC heater, is made up of three separate ceramic resistor elements."

 

[clavicus]

There actually is an electric heater in the HVAC system.
From section 412-03, "Supplementary Climate Control", of the 2022 Maverick service manual:

"Electric Booster Heater Operation

The electric booster heater ensures that the passenger compartment can be quickly warmed up when ambient temperatures are low. It is a heater element made up of ceramic resistors that is mounted in the climate control housing. It directly heats the airflow into the passenger compartment rapidly in the case of low ambient temperatures.

The current is switched via three electric booster heater relays located in the BJB/ BCMC. The HVAC module sends a request message over the MS-CAN network to the GWM. The BCMC receives a network message over the HS-CAN1 requesting to apply power and ground to energize the relays. The electric booster heater is supplied voltage from the relays and has a dedicated ground circuit.

The HVAC control module energizes the electric booster heater relays when the operating parameters have been met. The electric booster heater relays are activated or deactivated individually or together by the HVAC control module as needed.

Electric booster heater operating parameters:

-Engine is running
-HVAC controls have been switched to the highest temperature setting
-Engine coolant temperature is below approximately 75°C (167°F)
-Ambient air temperature is below approximately 12°C (53.6°F)
-Sufficient generator capacity is available

The electric booster heater is deactivated when an engine coolant temperature of approximately 85°C (185°F) or an ambient air temperature of approximately 15°C (59°F) is exceeded.

Component Description

The electric booster heater, also known as the PTC heater, is made up of three separate ceramic resistor elements."

Thanks so much I am glad to be wrong. So to clarify, I wonder if these individuals experiencing poor cabin heatup times -- if they they just crank the heat setting to max, it would likely actually kick on this heater element theoretically?

 

[Mikk]

Thanks so much I am glad to be wrong. So to clarify, I wonder if these individuals experiencing poor cabin heatup times -- if they they just crank the heat setting to max, it would likely actually kick on this heater element theoretically?

It certainly does sound like turning the heat to max is a requirement for it to kick on, doesn't it?
Mine is still a month-and-a-half away, so I have no experience with it yet.

 

[DrewcioAdenade]

Kay so it's like 10F outside right now and I just did a morning drive.

Took a good 2 or 3 minutes from a cold start to get some warm air out. Not fully warm but enough that I wasn't shivering.

It's worth noting that if it is cold, the engine is going to kick on right away on start (It won't if ambient and/or drivetrain is warm enough from a previous drive.) I would assume at least some of this is because Lithium batteries -not- like to discharge under extreme cold IME. (I killed a cell or two trying this back in college when I was young and dumb)

Can't remember if I had it cranked up enough to trigger this booster heater, I didn't know it was a thing till I saw this thread.

 

[brnpttmn]

It certainly does sound like turning the heat to max is a requirement for it to kick on, doesn't it?
Mine is still a month-and-a-half away, so I have no experience with it yet.

I'm wondering if it kicks in at temps lower than max heat. My experience is that setting the temp to 68°F makes it pretty much impossible to engage electric-only mode for a long time at 10°F ambient temp and below. When I set the temp to 60°F, electric mode comes pretty quick/easy.

 

[DryHeat]

Yes it will break it if you use hot. Even cold water can if the difference is too big.

Funny story from the other end of the thermometer...

I live in Baja Arizona. We had a glass-topped outdoor table that sat in the sun. I put a glass of ice water down on it (just set it down, didn't spill it) and walked over to my daughter a few feet away. A few seconds later, the glass top exploded into tiny pieces.

It was about 105F and sunny. No telling what the tabletop temperature was.

 

[Veer]

Since the engine surging sounds like it's related to the electrical load on the system, anyone experiencing this issue, please make a note of the major electrical loads, for example are the seat heaters ON, and/or is the heat set to Max. We already know this happens on cold days. Try switching those things OFF, to see if the idle returns to normal. As others concluded the strong odor could be from the electric heater, I wonder if the odor goes away after repeated use. thank you guys for reporting and providing feedback. I wonder if Ford has used this method for heating the cabin with other hybrids or this is the 1st one. I haven't used my truck much since I am working from home. I don't have heated seats. Few times I have driven, the coldest its been is in teens but have not smell anything or experienced the engine surge issue. Had the temp set to auto at 70 on the day I picked it up. < 100 miles. It sounds like this could be normal operation, once we know more, probably everyone should air out that electrical heater initially since it could be burning off residue and could be toxic in closed cabin.

 

[TarpDogg]

Since the engine surging sounds like it's related to the electrical load on the system, anyone experiencing this issue, please make a note of the major electrical loads, for example are the seat heaters ON, and/or is the heat set to Max. We already know this happens on cold days. Try switching those things OFF, to see if the idle returns to normal. As others concluded the strong odor could be from the electric heater, I wonder if the odor goes away after repeated use. thank you guys for reporting and providing feedback. I wonder if Ford has used this method for heating the cabin with other hybrids or this is the 1st one. I haven't used my truck much since I am working from home. I don't have heated seats. Few times I have driven, the coldest its been is in teens but have not smell anything or experienced the engine surge issue. Had the temp set to auto at 70 on the day I picked it up. < 100 miles. It sounds like this could be normal operation, once we know more, probably everyone should air out that electrical heater initially since it could be burning off residue and could be toxic in closed cabin.

I’m having the same “surge” issue (at least this morning when it was 1° F) and had a horrible smell greeting me in the cabin. Also A LOT of white exhaust coming from the tailpipe. Other threads have detailed the same issue.

 

[notliketopgun]

I just took delivery of my hybrid XLT with lux package. The heated seats, steering wheel, and cabin are fantastic. I haven't played with the cabin heater but the seat warmer and steering wheel warmer can get uncomfortably hot, which in current weather means they ought to be more comfortable if it were a lot colder. That said cars are very poorly insulated, and not meant to keep you toasty regardless of the weather or your choice in clothes.

 

[Veer]

I’m having the same “surge” issue (at least this morning when it was 1° F) and had a horrible smell greeting me in the cabin. Also A LOT of white exhaust coming from the tailpipe. Other threads have detailed the same issue.

Thanks, I have been reading the related threads. Reports of the white smoke in tail pipe is a mystery, doesn't sound like it's normal operation. Electrical load on the engine should not cause this.

 

[TarpDogg]

Thanks, I have been reading the related threads. Reports of the white smoke in tail pipe is a mystery, doesn't sound like it's normal operation. Electrical load on the engine should not cause this.

I DM’d the Ford Motor Company account and they got back with me asking for more info. I did have heat set to Hi so there probably was a load but the excess white exhaust was a bigger concern.

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