Finding out what’s wrong with your Ecoboost engine can be frustrating without a scan tool. While a professional-grade scan tool offers the most comprehensive diagnostics, there are alternative methods to get clues about potential issues. This article explores information related to your Ford Edge’s Battery Monitoring System (BMS), charging system, and potential warning messages, drawing from the 2018 Edge Workshop Manual to help you understand how these systems work and how to troubleshoot.
Understanding Your Ecoboost’s Systems
The 2018 Ford Edge, and many other Ecoboost-equipped vehicles, rely on complex electronic systems to manage everything from battery charging to engine performance. A key component is the Battery Monitoring System (BMS).
Battery Monitoring System (BMS)
The BMS constantly tracks the battery’s state of charge. When a new battery is installed, a BMS reset is crucial. This reset, performed with a diagnostic scan tool, clears old data and allows the system to learn the new battery’s characteristics. Without a reset, the system may operate under the assumption of an aged battery, potentially limiting performance. Unfortunately, there’s no way to perform this reset without a scan tool like FORScan or a professional diagnostic tool.
The Body Control Module (BCM) plays a vital role in monitoring the battery’s State of Charge. It utilizes the battery current sensor to track charging and discharging during driving. When the vehicle is in sleep mode (key off, undisturbed for 8 hours with minimal current draw), the BCM recalibrates the battery state of charge. This calibration is important for accurate energy management, though it’s not a BMS reset. If the system hasn’t calibrated in 7 days, some electrical functions might be temporarily disabled.
Charging System Insights
The “CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM” message, often accompanied by a warning light, indicates a potential issue detected by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). This message is relayed through the High-Speed Controller Area Network (HS-CAN) to the BCM and then to the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC), which illuminates the warning light.
Even with a charging system fault, the vehicle might continue running. The generator can often self-excite and charge at approximately 13.5 volts, albeit in a default mode. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) are stored, and the generator fault indicator lamp (GENFIL) status in the PCM will be “On.” This is where a scan tool is necessary to read those DTCs.
Table showing possible causes and diagnostic steps for charging system issues in a 2018 Ford Edge.
Understanding Warning Indicators
A constantly illuminated or completely absent charging system warning indicator suggests a problem. The IPC defaults to the last known state if the signal is lost for under 5 seconds. If the signal is missing for 5 seconds or more, the indicator defaults to “On.” This could indicate issues ranging from the charging system itself to communication problems within the vehicle’s network.
Getting Trouble Codes: The Scan Tool Imperative
While understanding these systems provides valuable context, retrieving specific trouble codes requires a diagnostic scan tool. The procedures outlined in the 2018 Edge Workshop Manual for diagnosing issues like a faulty charging system rely heavily on reading DTCs. A scan tool allows you to pinpoint the problem area, saving time and potential misdiagnosis. Unfortunately, there’s no reliable way to get these codes without a scan tool on a modern Ecoboost engine. Investing in a basic code reader or utilizing a professional service is essential for accurate diagnosis and repair.
