Ford/Lincoln Charge Port Light Ring Precautions

Details Posted on 21 June 2023 | Share:

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When repairing Ford/Lincoln high-voltage (HV) vehicles, many Workshop manuals provide a precaution to remove the charge port light ring before baking the vehicle in a paint booth above a certain temperature.

Many vehicle-specific procedures on Ford/Lincoln HV vehicles specify that the charge port light ring must be removed If the vehicle must be baked over 140°F in a paint booth. This statement is found throughout the Workshop manuals in different procedures.

For example, per the 2022 Lincoln Aviator Workshop Manual ➤ Body and Paint ➤ Rear End Sheet Metal Repairs ➤ Removal and Installation ➤ Quarter Panel replacement procedure: "NOTICE: If refinishing cure temperatures exceed 60°C (140°F), the charge port light ring on plug-in vehicles must be removed."

What is the charge port light ring and why is it important to remove it before baking the vehicle in the paint booth?

For example, per the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Workshop Manual ➤ Electrical ➤ Battery and Charging System ➤ High Voltage Battery Charging System ➤ Description and Operation ➤ High Voltage Battery Charging System - Overview:

"When the vehicle is plugged into an EVSE, the Charge Status Indicator (CSI) indicates the current Customer State-of-Charge (CSoC) and charging operations of the high voltage battery. The Charge Status Indicator (CSI) is a light ring next to the charge port inlet that displays charging, charging faults and charging status using five LED light segments. The Charge Status Indicator (CSI) pigtail harness is connected to the SOBDM. The SOBDM controls and receives fault status messages from the Charge Status Indicator (CSI) LED light segments via LIN."

This means that if the charge port light ring is damaged from baking the vehicle, the CSI cannot communicate with the SOBDM, and it may not display any faults within the charging system. This is very dangerous for vehicle passengers as well as anyone working on the vehicle.

Always follow OEM procedures when repairing HV vehicles. Make sure to read all procedures and precautions thoroughly to help ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair.

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