Mine just stopped working as well
As mentioned in a previous post, I'm betting it's caused by a parasitic battery drain from my Ignition Interlock device . I'll trickle charge the battery and report back tomorrow.

 

UPDATE: After charging up my battery, the auto start/stop started working again :nerd:

 

After we first bought our Escape Auto Start/Stop was working fine, then after a couple weeks it stopped working...I noticed my wife had plugged one of those air diffuser fresheners in the cig Power adapter. I unplugged it and the next day, auto Start/stop was working again. Dealer was stumped as to why it wasn't working initially and when I shared my results they seemed a little surprised.
After some discussion it seems like the power drain of the heater in the air freshener was pulling down the battery to levels too low for the start/stop system to kick in. Wife is ****** she can't have her air freshener but oh well lol.

Overall lesson here, accessories plugged in when car isn't running can drain the battery down to where the system wont function/ or takes a long time to charge up before it will resume function.

 

I've noticed charging a cell phone is sometimes enough load to disable the auto stop.

 

They should have offered the start/stop as an option, not standard. I think a lot of people would have opted out of it. Seems like a big headache for a couple mpg difference. Other than that, I really like the looks of the new Escapes, especially the interior shifter re-location.

 

I noticed when I took the car out today after getting back from a weeks vacation that my Stop Start didn't work. It was fine when I garaged it a week ago. I guess there isn't a common fix for this. Correct?

 

Just charge the battery back up. I use a trickle charger from Autozone.

 

Supergreg suggested I trickle charge the battery and that may work to get the Stop/Start working again. By golly that did the trick! I don't know on a new car why the battery would have to be charged for just letting it sit a week. Go figure.

 

Cool it worked for you



Great news joevette!! It stumped me for a while as well. I actually just installed a quick connect adapter to my Battery Tender Plus so that I don't need to remove the battery cover every time to connect. It was less than $6.00 on amazon. If this is your brand of charger, and you need a link to the quick connect, let me know. Makes no sense to me either as this car is supposed to come with a heavier duty battery to support start/stop. Seems like if the battery even loses 1 volt that it won't work.

I have an ignition interlock device that I'm sure is draining my battery. Maybe you have something plugged in as well that is draining yours. Also low mileage vehicles that aren't driven enough like mine are not given enough driving time to properly charge the battery.

A high quality trickle charger like the Battery Tender will keep your battery at peak levels and will help it to last longer. Maybe just plug it in once a week? That's what I do.

I'm happy that you are happy now

 

I bought one of these cheap battery tenders: Black and Decker BM3B battery maintainer. $20. Just plug it into the Power port in the middle storage area between the seats. Took about 14 hrs to charge fully. Works great. I don't have anything plugged in that is draining the battery. I'll see how the car behaves for the next week or so with our normal driving. Too bad they don't supply a better battery. To be frank, I didn't really care that much that the Stop/ Start wasn't working, but I want the car to run as intended. I wonder if that starting and stopping all the time can be hard on the starter motor? Hopefully Ford took that into consideration. Thanks.

 

Checked with a mechanic and was told that they don't see starter failures due to stop start engines. They have been engineered to handle that. However they are rough on batteries and the start stop takes it's toll. He noted that usually these cars are equipped with better batteries to adjust to the start stop frequency. Nevertheless he did note that cars with this feature usually see their batteries fail sooner than cars without that feature. We are in the process of purchasing a used 2007 Escape and I plan to turn that feature off. I just came back from a trip where I rented a Jeep Compass with start stop and I found that car uncomfortable to drive in city traffic and during heavy start stop traffic. At the time we needed air conditioning and I found that it didn't take long for the interior of the car to become uncomfortable since the Jeep internal fan started blowing warm air fairly quickly after stopping.

I did some looking for replacement batteries for the Escape and many of the battery sites that allow you to put in your car information have a question as to whether the car has stop start technology. If you answer no, they recommend a 96R battery. However if you say yes, they always recommend the better AGM battery. Obviously if you are running with a 96R and do a lot of city driving, start stop will take it's toll on the stock 96R battery. All the more reason for me to turn this feature off.

 

Ford did install a heavier duty starter to handle it ?

 

Stop start feature stopped working a week ago, light shows but nobody home. Vehicle in next week (Wednesday) for winter tires etc. Will get back with results. Switch on dash functions but no reaction when stopping. Nothing obstructing pedal etc.

 

Ok, got it to work. I had a GPS plugged into the 12 volt outlet in consul and a USB wire in the other port for my phone. Removed GSP setup and the stop start works. Just plain weird! It was not even turned on...

 

Which setting will show info in the cluster on why the auto stop/start will not engage? All I have ever seen was the grayed out icon but no message on why the system will not engage.

Also, I live in Houston and noticed the system will not engage if the outside temperature is above 95 or below 45 I think. Maybe 35.

 

This is an interesting topic. My 17's start/stop stopped working at one point for weeks or maybe a few months? I don't know. I do like it and was bummed when it stopped working consistently. But I just chalked it up to the battery no longer at peak charge and it needing it to be for the start/stop to function. Oddly it started working again and now I find it works sometimes? I think it still works with AC just not for very long. But I didn't realize that plugging in phones or other devices would drop it enough as well. Good to know. And a bummer, because Applink and Apple Carplay, both of which I use, don't support wireless connection (at least on this car) >:/

Also, to the OP and anyone else with always on devices like cameras- Assuming you don't want such devices always power (such as a camera with Park mode) just find / tap into a circuit that shuts down with the vehicle is turned off. Eazy Peazy

I'm going to look into the battery tender device though - if it's truly a useful "hack" to keep it running longer, it may just pay for itself.

 

auto start/stop not working

Hi, today i noticed that the icon for auto start/stop is not displaying, i tried turning it on and off, im not in sport mode nor my AC is on max, what can cause this?

 

Hi, today i noticed that the icon for auto start/stop is not displaying, i tried turning it on and off, im not in sport mode nor my AC is on max, what can cause this?

If I have only the top air distribution button pressed, auto-start-stop does not function. It seems that if only that uppermost button is engaged, only windshield defrost is on, although the AC compressor is not running.

 

I think there's more than a dozen parameters that need to be met before auto stop/start will shut off the engine. I think all the parameters are listed in a thread on this forum. I'd say give it some time before you declare it dead and in need of repair.

Where I live, when the temperatures drop very low the engine will almost never shut off when I come to a stop... but it's not broke.

 

Auto Start Stop Not Working At All

For some reason my auto start stop doesn't work at all. The settings are correct; but it has quit working at all. I know some of you wish that yours would do the same thing; but I do like to have this feature operating. Has anyone else had this issue and if so, how was it fixed?

 

For some reason my auto start stop doesn't work at all. The settings are correct; but it has quit working at all. I know some of you wish that yours would do the same thing; but I do like to have this feature operating. Has anyone else had this issue and if so, how was it fixed?

I merged your thread with this existing thread on the same topic. Have a look through the other posts to see if any of them will help you out.

 

I've been having a similar problem with my 17 stop/start not working. I have a 20 mile commute each way to work, which I think should be plenty long enough to warm the car up, so I bought an obdlink mx and forscan lite. As suspected it's a battery state of charge keeping mine from engaging. The battery needs to be at or above 70%. As an experiment I fully charged my battery yesterday and this morning it showed 45%. Losing over half it's charge overnight seems wrong to me, so I'll be calling the dealer today to get it looked at. I don't have any accessories plugged in, so there must be a drain or a bad battery. I'll update in a few days after the dealer looks at it.

 

Small update on my escape. Took it in Monday after work and they tested the battery. It tested good after the tech trying 2 different testers. The fancy Ford one said too much noise in the system, so he used a cheap sun meter that showed almost 900 cca. Scheduled a time to drop it off Thursday afternoon and get a rental. They called today, (Friday) to say they want to keep it for the weekend, and they have a few suspects to test further. Ford is covering the cost of the rental so I'm sporting a 18 F150 crew cab for the next few days. The stop start kicks in on this thing in about 5 miles of driving in 70f weather where my escape would take almost an hour of driving for it to kick in. Further details to come as I get them...

 

Got my e back a few days ago. They chased through the electrical system and found no issues, so they did some more testing on the battery and said it was bad. One new battery and I'm pretty sure a software update and it's working like it should.
My obdmx now loses connection as soon as I turn off the key, when before, it would stay on until the car went to sleep, hence my thinking they did an update.
On a 50 degree morning the stop start kicks in after about 3 to 4 blocks, warmer days and it kicks in at the end of my driveway.
The charging system seems to be keeping the state of charge at 80%, which seems to be the latest idea in battery longevity. Also it only seems to loose about 1 or 2% overnight.

 

Interested to know what years 2017 2018 2019 you are having these troubles? is it happening to 18’s 19’s ?
Ours is a 2017, I think the first year they started this feature,
It’s been a pain somewhat as early in 2018 we had a problem where it would stop but occasionally would not restart itself, you can imagine how bad this would be because we would have to put it in park and cycle the key to restart, so at an intersection you’d get honks and swearing from people that couldn’t I understand swhy you weren’t moving,Yes you can turn it off but it resets every time you start the car, if you forget to turn it off you get into that predicament. So when we brought it to the dealer they said that Ford recognized this issue and were working to find the problem “Dealers are not to attempt repairs. Engineering was working out n it. After 3 weeks we were notified of a software update that did fix the problem.
Now Outs stopped working altogether but it’s been a steady decline in operation since 3 months ago and then no Stop/Start for the last 3 weeks.
Took it in to dealer and they put a new battery in, that fixed it as this post is directing that’s it’s electrcal,no supprise. It said on the work order something about the “Battery management” system. I guess when the battery doesn’t get charged to full or a measured amount, this management system prevents this feature from functioning.
One problem with these vehicles is that the accessories plugs are on all the time, so leaving something like a gps or other accessory plugged in will draw from the battery while the car is off and after time can affect the life span and strength of the battery.

I’ll also add, I think it was post #39 where someone stated it can take a few drive cycles after a battery change or ECM recalibration before it starts functioning again “probably fuel learning needs to learn first
I’m going to rewire my accessories plugs to 12 volts only when the ignition is on as this is they way it should be to preserve battery life and charge

 

Has anyone heard of a recall for the Start/stop feature?

 

No, there is no recall for the auto start/stop system currently.

 

I got my 2017 FE about 3 weeks ago, stop start has been hit or miss. Today it didn't work at all. Called the dealer to make a service appt. and they said they have been really busy this week, and the earliest appt. is April 4th I will keep you guys updated.
George

 

There are a number of parameters that have to be within range for the auto start/stop to work. Engine has to be in a certain temp range, battery has to be sufficiently charged, climate demands have to be low enough, wheel has to be straight, driver is buckled, and turbo temps have to be cool enough. If there's anything minor that isn't normal, it won't engage. On mine, these are the reasons I've observed when it didn't engage.

1. Engine is too cold (not warmed up enough)
2. It's really cold or really hot outside (climate demands)
3. Steering wheel is turned (wheel has to be mostly straight)
4. Turbo needs to cool down after operating at highway speeds (engine will stop after a delay)
5. Driver is unbuckled or doors are opened
6. Brakes were not completely released for long enough between subsequent stops (it won't work if you creep)
7. Passenger pressed the disable button

Other than those, if it doesn't function properly the battery is probably bad. If you get a message about needing to shift into park to restart, then you need to have the BCM reprogrammed by a dealer. If the car has any other issues or trouble codes, those should be corrected before you expect start/stop to work.

 

There are a number of parameters that have to be within range for the auto start/stop to work. Engine has to be in a certain temp range, battery has to be sufficiently charged, climate demands have to be low enough, wheel has to be straight, driver is buckled, and turbo temps have to be cool enough. If there's anything minor that isn't normal, it won't engage. On mine, these are the reasons I've observed when it didn't engage.

1. Engine is too cold (not warmed up enough)
2. It's really cold or really hot outside (climate demands)
3. Steering wheel is turned (wheel has to be mostly straight)
4. Turbo needs to cool down after operating at highway speeds (engine will stop after a delay)
5. Driver is unbuckled or doors are opened
6. Brakes were not completely released for long enough between subsequent stops (it won't work if you creep)
7. Passenger pressed the disable button

Other than those, if it doesn't function properly the battery is probably bad. If you get a message about needing to shift into park to restart, then you need to have the BCM reprogrammed by a dealer. If the car has any other issues or trouble codes, those should be corrected before you expect start/stop to work.

That steering wheel parameter is a subtle one! If stopped for a right turn with the wheels turned in anticipation.
Also, any defroster or defroster blend selection will prevent S/S from engaging. Battery load can have an effect as well, even with a good battery. Stopped with lights, driving lights, both seat heaters on, HVAC fan on a higher speed. At a longer stop, e.g., waiting for a train, the S/S may turn the engine back on.

 

I Hope My S/S Never Works Again

My S/S stopped working a few months ago and I'm not telling my dealer. :nerd:
I've had my battery and alternator checked and both are OK

 

My S/S stopped working a few months ago and I'm not telling my dealer. :nerd:
I've had my battery and alternator checked and both are OK

Key may be what is the "State of Health" and "State of charge" for the battery. I am finding that if the SOC goes below a certain value that S/S will not engage. For me this is brought on by the low mileage that I put on the vehicle and the fact that most of my trips are short. If I change the battery (Battery Tender) and get it up to about 80% SOC, S/S does work. I willbe checking again today as I charged yesterday evening and have a short trip planned for this afternoon.

 

If either my Escape or F150 is not highway driven, enough to keep the batteries in a high state of charge, the auto stop / start will not shut the engine down. Take a highway trip to get the batteries charged and all works as designed.