Battery problem! First Service! Our Ford Nugget Campervan needs attention!

[@MikeAnderson6022]

Hi, Apologies for the delay in replying but I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you. We managed to obtain and install 2 new 60A fuses, left it on 230v charge for 24 hrs and then started the engine and it all came back to life. As you rightly note, the key was to leave it on charge for 24 hrs BEFORE starting the engine to avoid blowing the fuses again. Apparently the fuses are set at 60A (even though the batteries are set to 90A) to avoid melting the cables between the two sets of batteries. I've also been in conversation with Ford dealer that we bought it from and whilst they were sympathetic they didn't actually provide the solution that you did - so Ive fed the whole thing back to them and maybe the dealers will let each other know !!!!

[@CaliCamperFamily]

A pleasure Mike, glad it all worked out and well done! Happy Travels in your lovely Nugget!!!

[@robertdon777]

Best channel on KZbin. No click bait rubbish just good viewing. I'd certainly trial your leisure battery first. They can sometimes never recover from being discharged. They give all the right signals they are ok but come to use them properly and the voltage just drops out of them.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hello! And thanks for your awesome comment ☺️. I have a day tomorrow to prepare the Nugget for our trip next week to Paris. I hope the batteries are ok as I have no time to change them now. I’ll keep a good eye on this and report back in a follow up video. Many thanks!

[@Wheres_wanda_wandering]

That is terrible after service. Thank goodness you were able to solve the problem before your trip. Take care Gill

[@CaliCamperFamily]

I’m disappointed too. It makes me wonder how long it will be before Westfalia actually get in touch! They don’t know I’ve fixed it! Best regards, from us all!

[@user-nw1lm3rm5q]

Haha the fuses, classic motor trade slopey shoulders when it's in fact a simple problem. I am annoyed that the Transit Centre tech has obviously had a look at the fuse box and not found those blown fuses.. Happy you got this sorted yourself ! Definately wait for WF to respond and complain about the non existant aftersales department. Would be useful to know where you can go for potential issues in the future though. (Fingers crossed you dont need it though) x

[@CaliCamperFamily]

I totally agree. I was annoyed too when I discovered they’d been in, left screws out, scratched the seat frame with their screw driver and then not fixed it. Still not heard from Westfalia…appalling/non existent after service. Thanks for commenting 👍

[@russellrivers-scott7928]

Well done for fixing the charging problem, that alone must have saved you a minimum of €100’s paying the main stealer oh sorry, I meant main dealer.😊

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hi Russel, yes, I’m sure it’s saved lots of money as I would have to had another garage fix it…we can’t wait an unlimited amount of months when we are using the van as much as we do. Also time, Westfalia/Ford have still not got back to me about it. 🙄

[@richardcope3850]

Great video as ever Jordan. We had a couple of small issues within the Westfalia conversion. I really had to dig my heals in with Ford, the dealer principal and Ford UK. The Ford dealer did fix everything under warranty and relatively quickly. It was a battle. We already have an under tray on ours! Did someone forget to fit yours? Yes look after your vehicle and it’ll look after you. We have had oil and filter changes done around 12,000/14,000 miles no more than 12 months apart. Be interesting to see how your batteries get on, they may be cooked! I will check my fuses out of curiosity. Seems to charge on the move but a bit erratically. It is on hook up when we are at home so always gets a good charge. Take care buddy.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hey Richard! Thanks for the comments. Well done on the battle with Ford and getting things fixed. These things shouldn’t be a battle though! I think Ford generally don’t explain the warranty situation well, and it will be down to where you live and how much time you want to wait. Westfalia still haven’t got back to me yet with anything more. As regards the oil and filters, I agree with you. Makes me feel better too! Undertray wise, neither of my Nuggets had one. Maybe it’s a European spec thing? I really hope my batteries are ok. Not enough time to replace those before next weekend - Paris/Disneyland awaits! The first charge the batteries got after they went completely flat was from hook up, so I’m hoping that was better than receiving the higher input from the alternator (which maybe the reason why the fuses blew…perhaps Westfalia design it that way to project the batteries ?!). Thanks for the comments and safe travels! J 👍

[@eEllistonEnsor]

We had a slightly similar thing with our cali. Our local vw dealership won’t touch any of the habitation parts and needs to go to special vw centre that resell calis as their techs are not trained on those parts. I was told a 3 month wait for an appointment slot when I asked about 2 issues we had. We are now looking at a nugget due to having 3 kids. We thought we could live with the spare hot seat on the rails but over the weeks it’s becoming a pain already and only 3 camps in!! Great fix and really clear instructions. Safe travels.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hello. This waiting time being experienced is meaning that people have to find other ways of fixing their vans. This is great for the manufacturer and warranty company who are providing the gloss of a warranty but then in (probably numerous cases) won’t have to do the work! It’s not an effective way of providing something a consumer has paid for. Yes, with 3 kids, the removable seat in the Cali became too much hassle for us too and was one of the reason we swapped to the Nugget. The Nugget Plus in particular sees many improvements especially with 3 kids. Thanks for the comments!

[@robinmorgan1149]

Travelling from France next week to collect our new Nugget plus high top from a dealer in Holland. (We’re brits living in France) My biggest worry is the problem you’re experiencing with a so called Europe wide Ford/Westfalia warranty. The forums are full of concerns. However, in spite of this I love the Nugget high top and your videos are an inspiration! We’re really looking forward to collecting our new Nugget next week!😊 Incidentally, rodent damage apparently causes one of the highest incidents of engine damage in cars and is little publicised! In my last camper mice built a neat nest in the air filter which nearly caused major damage!!

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hi Robin! Great comments, and glad you’re joining the Nugget clan!!! You won’t be disappointed and yes, regardless of the warranty situation and the after sales service, it is still the best camper/vehicle I have ever bought. I’d certainly do the same again. It’s just a little disappointing and the inconvenience of things breaking is made more annoying by the service you get. However…not much will wrong! Enjoy the collection day…congratulations 😊👍

[@daytripdebbie2006]

That squirrel must be nuts building a nest in there.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

😂😂😂….nice one! I should have said that in the video!

[@icable07]

Have you considered solar panels? We have 2x100 watt panels on our Cali and I haven't had to switch the fridge off. Probably in Italy with more sun than the UK you would get away with one panel.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hi! Yes, you’re right. We are looking into getting them fitted now. We have always managed without, but this latest problem has highlighted our reliance solely on the engine charging…watch this space! Thanks for watching and commenting 👍

[@alecporter1784]

Nuts, my motorhome has been in the garage for nearly 4 weeks 🤔

[@CaliCamperFamily]

😂…Hi Alec…if you have turned off your electrics via the isolator, then the batteries will be fine. It’s just that I don’t ever switch mine off as we use it very regularly. Thanks for watching!

[@louisehollyhead6807]

Ive have heard of this charging problem going wrong in facebook groups but never saw the solution. This is so handy to see where the fuses are and how to get in. Husband is very handy but to see it worked out how to access is a bonus. Cheers for this video. And a prompt to order some spare fuses!!! The ford westfalia thing seems a headache in the uk but some transit centres are better than others and our nearest (90 mins away) apparently are one of the good ones though we bought outs from the opposite end of the country (Essex when we live in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 so do not want to go back there. They just had a 22 model brand new at 22 prices before a hike of 15k so we bagged it as was the spec we wanted) It is really the only aspect of nugget owning I worry about because the van is superb as you say. A few people have had problems with the diesel heater but apparently it can be a pipe that is choked by a clip being too tight so people are working out fixes for common easily self-fixable issues but ford need to do better with habitation fixes for sure. Have a good trip!

[@CaliCamperFamily]

You’re right! Ford could do much better with fixing the habitational area. This side of ownership is not discussed when you are buying it. However, I would still have bought it! Being handy is a useful thing when owning a campervan…today, my toilet pump has stopped working - fortunately I have a fix for that!!! But if not, I’d have to wait months for Westfalia. Great idea to get some of these fuses in stock (for the leisure batteries!). Glad you liked the video, all the best with yours! Jordan

[@louisehollyhead6807]

@@CaliCamperFamily ditto The nugget is more than worth it and worth overcoming any obstacles.

[@martinsmotorbikestuff2478]

So a Ford Nugget seats 5 people AND a squirrel? Good job that is! Excellent job on the batteries and the fuse! That bathroom light thingy is a bit silly I think, maybe sabotage it one way or another to stop fully discharging the leisure batteries as that will kill them sooner than you will like.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

😂…haha, yes. The Nugget is bigger than it looks! You’re right about the bathroom light and the risk to the leisure batteries. I’ll do something about it. Thanks for watching and commenting, much appreciated 👍

[@petertitterton6836]

It may be worth fitting a mesh panel over that ventilation hole on your new undertray to keep the pesky squirrels/mice out!

[@CaliCamperFamily]

That’s a great idea Peter, thank you! I’ll look into that 👍

[@josh_bfc_2769]

Disappointed with Fords after this performance. At least you've solved the issue. The transit centre needs a firm email and for that matter westfalia. Great video glad you sorted it out. Let's hope it doesn't happen again 👍

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Me too. I naively thought that with it being two big names in the business, the service would be better. I’m interested to see how long it will take Westfalia to get in touch. They don’t know it’s fixed (yes, I hope it the fuses don’t blow again!!)

[@vincentepping7641]

Hi! Totally agree on the poor Westfalia service. Our dealership actually told us the warranty on the Westfalia part of the van is only 1 year. No Ford dealer will touch the Westfalia part either so have to drive 1.5 hours to the only licensed Westfalia dealer in The Netherlands! Nice job on the electronics, who needs Westfalia :-)

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hi! Thanks for adding to this thread. It seems from your story and others that the level of service is consistently poor. I have also been given the address of a dealer 1.5 hours away and told to wait until Westfalia tells me what to do. I haven’t heard anything yet. This evening, my toilet flush broke too…another job for…me! Thanks for watching 😃👍

[@marianjavorka7712]

Oil should be changed every 10k km or a year. There are few videos on topic to support this

[@andymcroxford]

Just taken my 21 custom Wildax conversion in for its 2 year at 8k miles. Speaking to technicians, service should be based on oil life reading (ideally don’t let it go past 25%). As I got vehicle nearly new it was news to me and I’ve just downloaded Ford pass app. Think these new customs do need more regular oil change due to internal cam belt and have been recommend to get this replaced well before manufacture recommendation (100k miles or 10 years). The custom has been great & I’m already looking up the Undertray😁👍

[@louisehollyhead6807]

What kind of mileage have you been recommended for the wet belt to be changed? Have heard of the issue with them going earlier.

[@andymcroxford]

@@louisehollyhead6807 Ford won’t recommend anything away from their standard service recommendations. Oil life plays a key part. The issue is driving around with degraded oil as the diesel oil that goes back into the engine de laminates the belt. It’s completely up to you. There was a new part and product recall on customs built 2017-2019 so check that if your van is that age. The new product was a belt that had a better coating. For peace of mind, I’m getting it done on the 4 year service regardless of mileage as it’s a high value conversion. The job costs £1200 but make sure the cover and tensioner is also replaced. If one does go early, Ford will use the oil life data to determine where the responsibility sits with engine repairs/ replacement so also be mindful of that. You history should all be on your Ford pass app. That said, some of the belts replaced at 100k and they are in good condition so again, it’s a peace of mind thing.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thanks for the info and I don’t like these long intervals either. Especially after hearing advice like yours. Undertray makes a marked difference, glad I did it!

[@sharonthorpe-j1m]

Very well done, it’s a shame Ford aren’t sorting this ridiculous situation out very annoying considering the cost of these Campervans! I had a problem with the Hot Water Boiler not working from New and initially the Dealership tried fobbing me off bur after a lot of phone calls their Maastricht technicians sorted it it but as things stand doesn’t look promising for more technical Habitation issues.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

👋 hello, yes it is ridiculous and annoying as we naturally assume we would be well looked after, especially considering the cost of the vehicle. Glad you got your boiler working, but as you say, it doesn’t look promising…let’s just hope nothing goes wrong as I think that’s what they are doing! BTW, I have still not heard anything from Ford or Westfalia regarding the fix for the batteries. Thanks for watching!

[@kmason5241]

But all Dealers have the same poor service I guess. In Austria for our Beach, the first VW dealer didn't even want to sell us one. With the second we started with a used Sharan and worked our way up to the new Beach. Their usual excuses for silly service prices are "it's a California!", despite most of it being a Transporter. Not sure how much difference the VW dealer service history adds to a 2nd hand VW California, but if I could avoid the Dealer's, I would!!

[@bleepbooster]

Just a thought but my Tourneo custom which is essentially the 8 seater version of your van, has heavy duty twin vehicle batteries under the driver seat like yours. The single leisure battery is the Varta under your passenger seat next to those fuses. Hope this helps in the future and that your charging issue is fixed.

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Thanks Tim for watching! As regards the leisure batteries, there are 2x92Amp/hr batteries on the Nugget. So, I presume Westfalia have switched things around under the seats as I don’t have another Leisure battery anywhere else. Charging issues are now fixed, but still no word from Westfalia!

[@bsheene916]

Great vieeo ! Thanks. 2 remarks, i think 40000 km on the same oil is to long, better is once a year, vw also has the the long life oil …. But all the specialists tell me to do it once a year. And i would never let a regular ford dealer work on the camper part …. 👍👋

[@CaliCamperFamily]

You’re right. I’m not even going to try and get the regular Ford network to work on it again. It’s clear that they are not trained to do the work. And, as regards the oil, I think you’re right…once a year 👍👏🏻

[@MikeAnderson6022]

Hi, I think Ive replied to you - but I may have replied to myself !!! not quite sure, but huge thank you for your reply. Sure enough the two 60A fuses have blown so Ive ordered some replacements (looked like yours were from Auprotec ?) and I'll see if that fixes things. In terms of sequence of doing things once Ive fitted them, would you recommend hooking up to power before starting the engine (to avoid the some thing happening again ?). Regards, Mike

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hi Mike, I bought my big fuses off Amazon. I would definitely recommend plugging your van into mains electric for as long as you can before starting the engine after you have replaced the fuses. The engine has an incredibly powerful alternator and it will ‘thump’ your batteries, even if the fuse doesn’t blow again. Therefore to preserve your batteries, I suggest an overnight charge on hook up 👍

[@thinkingoutofthebox.9421]

Why do you not have solar panels?

[@CaliCamperFamily]

A very good question! We have always managed ok without. However, we are now going to get some installed…the time has come!

[@minivandokker4freelife]

A vendere sono tutti Buoni .....e' l assistenza che bisognerebbe migliorare....non stiamo parlando di un mezzo usato da 1000 euro,ma di un veicolo da 75000 euro....durante i lavori di servizio dovrebbero servire anxhe un pasticcino con il te' ....Cose da Pazzi.... Comunque Auguri...🤦🤦🤦

[@CaliCamperFamily]

sì, certo, ci aspettiamo di più soprattutto da un veicolo costoso. è deludente.

[@MikeAnderson6022]

Hi - like you I thought that in driving our 2022 Nugget around it would charge both sets of batteries but we checked the control panel yesterday - blank and unresponsive. Therefore a couple of questions that you may know the answer to: 1) The handbook says turn the engine on, then plug in the hookup and make sure the RCB is on - Ive done this but no indication from the control panel that any charging is going on - do you have to keep the engine running for a while? 2) If the auxiliary batteries have depleted can they be rescued or am I looking at having to get new batteries installed and would this be a Ford fix or Westfalia one ? Many Thanks Mike Anderson

[@CaliCamperFamily]

Hi Mike. Good questions. I’ll try and answer them: 1. I’ve never had my control panel go blank, unless the isolator under the kitchen counter (next to the water boiler) was turned off. It could be that the batteries are so low, it won’t power the screen. Did you see the part of my video near the end where I show how to check the fuses under the front seat? If blown, your engine won’t charge the batteries. 2. If the batteries are very low, then the hook up is the best bet. If you start your engine when the auxiliary batteries are very very low, then the fuses under the seat are likely to blow. Hence, the electric hook up will charge your batteries slower and be much more kind when bringing them back to life. It’s hard to say if the batteries are now unrecoverable. They might be, but then again, if you recharge them slowly on hook up, they could be ok. When it happened to me, my batteries thankfully worked as they did before without any notable loss in their performance. If they need changing, best bet is to do it yourself. It would be almost likely a Ford Dealer (who generally know very little about the Nugget) that would do the work, but because it is a habitation issue, it has to be first be approved by Westfalia. This is like to take much longer than you want (I am still waiting since last October, and still no news - I haven’t told them I fixed the problem myself just to see how long it will take for them to get back to me!? ) Good luck and I hope you get it sorted quickly.

[@MikeAnderson6022]

@@CaliCamperFamily Thanks do much for coming back - will take a look at the fuses - what exactly did you order from Amazon when you got the new ones ? Many thanks, Mike