Engine Running Load Shed

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

When the BCM and/or PSCM voltage is low, with the engine running, the BCM-B sends a message is to either minimize or shut down the climate controlled seats, rear defrost, heated mirrors and DAMB blower motor to improve system voltage. Under this condition, the IPC message center will displays either LOW BATTERY LESS FEATURES (base message center) or LOW BATTERY FEATURES TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF (optional message center) to notify the driver that battery protection actions are active.

There are 3 states of engine running load shed:

Load shed 1
Load shed 2 transient
Load shed 2 continuous

BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

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.