2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Engine Won't Shut Off While Idle

This is a short video showing evidence that a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid engine won't shut off. The video demonstrates that the car is at idle, speed 0, the A/C is not on, and the battery is fully charged. The engine has been running for roughly an hour (with a short stop to fill up on gas). When the car first turns on the engine will continue to run until it warms up. After that, as long as the battery has some charge it will shut off when stopped. However, when the weather is warmer and after running the car for some period of time (seems to be 5 to 15 minutes in hot weather and closer to 45 to 60 minutes in moderate weather), the engine will NEVER shut off even if sitting idle for minutes on end. I additionally hear what sounds to be louder than normal fan noises in the rear. I understand that there is a fan (maybe also a pump?) to keep the large battery cool. However, I wonder if the battery is not being kept cool.

In the fall of 2010 I took it in to Ted Britt Ford in Chantilly, VA, for two issues. One, I had recently had a high temp alarm and I also wanted them to take a look at this issue. They claimed there was no issue with a high temp alarm, and the battery was fine. Of course, the next day I broke down in the middle of the road because of an overheating issue so I can't put much stock in their mechanical abilities.

During the winter in Virginia I did not notice this problem as the temperature has been cool. Now that temperatures in March 2011 are rising I've noticed this issue again. As I took the vehicle in for my 90K mile service at Jerry's Ford, Lincoln, Mercury in Leesburg, VA, I also pointed out this problem to them. I specifically requested that they verify the battery was receiving sufficient cooling. It was returned to me simply saying they couldn't duplicate the problem; however, as far as I can tell they didn't actually verify the battery cooling system is working properly.

As such, I wanted to provide video evidence of what I'm observing in the hopes that perhaps someone can actually provide some thoughts on what the problem might be and might recommend someone that will actually listen to me.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• ford
• escape
• hybrid;
• ford;
• escape;
• 2005;
• hybrid
• battery

[lmns97]

joshg678, I don't disagree in principle with what you're saying. However, I'm tired of fighting with Ford. It may well be the people that work for Ford, but Ford hired them so I can't help but hold them responsible. Until they can install sufficient infrastructure (including people) to support their products, I'm going to speak with my wallet. I sold this car and have bought a Toyota Prius in its place. Don't plan to buy a Ford again, at least for a long time.

[lmns97]

Thanks, hall5d. Best explanation I've received so far. Passenger A/C works fine, though did have it fixed last summer. Only wish Ford could be as helpful!

[lmns97]

Eletruk--thanks for your post. Actually I did note in the description that the car had been operating for around an hour, so certainly it has passed it's warm up phase.

I took it in to Ford again after they viewed this video and promised to address the problem. When I went to pick it up, I was told "Sir, the engine will run if the A/C is on. There's nothing wrong." Wow, thanks for the condescension. Never buying another Ford. Don't like the products, and have always had bad service.

[lmns97]

No, not yet, but I am very confident it's linked to ambient temperature, and I suspect the cooling to the rear hybrid battery is an issue. I can hear the fan operating quite loudly in the rear when this occurs. The dealership called me and offered to take it back and diagnosis it for free, but haven't had a chance to take it in yet. Hopefully in the next week or two. Apparently I'm the first person this dealership has seen make a YouTube video of a problem.

[lachyan17]

i have a similar problem, my cars engine fans wont stop even after i turn my car off .my indicator shows my engine is heating up. does this happen only when the engine overheats or for other reasons too? any suggestions.

[redshift40]

@lmns97 -thank you, nor will my family buy anything from Ford for at least 2 generations.

2005 Ford Escape's sudden engine failure. Not a safety issue says Ford. No recall.

I am going through the burnt out PCM and COP's because of the "wrong spark plugs installed at the factory" nightmare. I got it second hand, so did know about the problem till it was too late. People are going to die over this one in the next few years. No one seems to give a shit, even Ford.

[yellowcow13]

id take out the battery air filter while its running that fan you hear and stick a finger in there to see if there is any cold are running through

[joshg678]

Take it back down there and Tell them they are morons. Call Ford Customer service and tell them you paid for a service they never completed, show up with your lawyer.

The problem is not Ford, its the Dumbasses that work for them that screw it up. Sheehy Ford in Warrenton is Notorious for not doing work you pay for and saying they fixed it when they did nothing to it.

Go down to Ford of Culpeper, Honest People work there, and they want to make you happy. They keep ur car if they don't see it

[hall5d]

There is a second A/C evaporator coil in the rear used for battery cooling. It is running the engine continuously in order to run the A/C so that it can cool the battery. Either: A) the entire A/C system has failed (and doesn't cool the passenger area either) or B) a part on the A/C section that goes to the rear for battery cooling has failed. Exactly what piece has failed is anyone's guess, but that is why the engine won't shut off.

[Eletruk]

I kind of have the same issue, having it stay running when for all normal reasons it should be in EV mode. From the video and comments, it doesn't say how long the engine has been running. There is a definite warm up period before the ICE will shut off in idle. My issue is more when I've been driving for a while, the HV battery is fully charged, I am rolling downhill less than 30 MPH sometimes it refuses, and won't shut off until I come to a complete stop for at least 3 seconds.