I spoke too soon. Or I jinxed it.

[BSBB4Les]

Update on my original post. I called my dealership service manager to question him as to the battery in my BS being the standard lead acid type and not the AGM. He believes I in fact do have the higher capacity AGM battery, but I know different. He further stated that Ford will not cover a replacement of a good battery for another under warranty. Since the initial testing of the battery shows it's good the only option left to me is for them to run a "deep dive" into the electrical/electronic systems which necessitates them keeping the vehicle for 3-4 days. I decided to call Ford customer relations, I had dealt with them before re: fog lamps issue, and basically argued on the basis that I believe the battery in my Bronco Sport is the wrong type for my vehicles electronic packaging but it tests good by 2 different dealers service centers. I argued it should be replaced with the one I believe is the correct one (AGM), a simple swap one good battery for another. They advised that even though I may be correct in my assessment, policy for warranty replacement of any part can only be for a bad one, and, at the dealers discretion to swap the alternate part. So at that point I thought I would have to wait for another event to happen and go from there but later in the day my dealer called me and offered a loaner vehicle and a short date to have their expert tech run that deep dive. Previously, I was told they had a week and a half to two week waiting list for a loaner. I had told them I couldn't be without a vehicle for 3-4 days. So, long story a little bit longer, I take her in next week. They are providing me with a loaner to use as long as they have my BS. As for the battery issue, I will wait until they do their thing and take it up at that time. I hinted that I had spoken with corporate about it and they suggested I speak with the dealer about prorating the value of my battery and I pay the difference, but that would take it out of a warranty repair situation and I still have bumper to bumper coverage. The service manager insisted I wait for their work to be done before doing anything else. Who knows, I might still get the battery.

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[BSBB4Les]

Update on my BB. The dealer has had it for a week now. I was advised yesterday that they are in communication with Ford technicians and they believe they've isolated the problem. Hopefully the fix (which has not been identified to me) is forthcoming in the next day or two. The dealer has given me a loaner (2023 Expedition!) to drive as long as they have my BS. I have no complaints about how they have treated me. The electronic issue is just so frustrating because there is so much involved with it. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Mark S.]

I was advised yesterday that they are in communication with Ford technicians and they believe they've isolated the problem.

Psssst. It's the battery.....probably.

 

[Bucko]

Psssst. It's the battery.....probably.

Maybe? Most likely.

 

[BSBB4Les]

Psssst. It's the battery.....probably.

I'm of the same opinion. However, the fact that the dealer tech and possibly the service manager are in direct contact with Ford leads me to believe it's a warranty issue with replacing the non agm battery with the agm battery. Sounds crazy, but after I spoke with Ford customer relations, that's probably why it hasn't been done yet. They told me the warranty allows for direct replacement of the part only. There's got to be a loophole, but finding it takes time I guess. LOL. (Not really funny).

 

[Bucko]

Others here have said their dealer has replaced their non AGM battery with an AGM one, under warranty.

Keep the faith.

 

[BSBB4Les]

Final note. I got my BSBB back today. The cause of my electrical problem stemmed from a faulty instrument cluster. It was replaced. Battery was tested and all tests were deemed good, and furthermore through the Vin#, Ford techs said it is the correct Battery for my vehicle. So there you have it. Bad instrument cluster, good battery.

 

[rocks]

I've helped a neighbor or two with my CR most compact pick the
NOCO Boost Plus GB40

 

[BSBB4Les]

I'm going to buy a noco genius5 charger. I can also use it on our mustang which doesn't get driven that often.

 

[sajohnson]

I've helped a neighbor or two with my CR most compact pick the
NOCO Boost Plus GB40

The NOCO GB40 is no longer listed (which happens a lot). Here are the top 4 currently:

 

[rocks]

The NOCO GB40 is no longer listed (which happens a lot). Here are the top 4 currently:

Top for the most compact.


MOST COMPACT
NOCO Boost Plus GB40

https://www.caranddriver.com/car-accessories/g42569313/best-jump-starters-tested/

https://www.caranddriver.com/car-accessories/g42569313/best-jump-starters-tested/#product-8c9baa1a-5283-4929-837f-ba3c8c57d3ce

 

[sajohnson]

Top for the most compact.


MOST COMPACT
NOCO Boost Plus GB40

https://www.caranddriver.com/car-accessories/g42569313/best-jump-starters-tested/

https://www.caranddriver.com/car-accessories/g42569313/best-jump-starters-tested/#product-8c9baathe1a-5283-4929-837f-ba3c8c57d3ce

When you wrote "CR", did you mean Consumer Reports? That's what I thought, which is why I checked out their reviews. The fact that the GB40 is not listed does not necessarily mean anything. If they tested it before, they probably just bumped it for a newer model. If they never tested it, that also typically does not mean much. That happens a lot. With so many products on the market, they can only test a sample of what's available.

C&D cannot always be as objective as CR, but it seems like they did a good job rating portable jump starters.

As they said about the GB40:

"But if you're short on space and want to have a portable jump starter around, this is the one to get."

The "but" refers to the fact that with any compact, light weight jump starter there are trade-offs. Anyone interested can check out the C&D article for more.

The bottom line with any device like this is, does it work? Does it fulfill the owners needs?

It's easy to get carried away and buy something that's way more than is necessary. For example, this unit -- big brother to the heaviest one C&D tested:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFHMVG/ref=emc_b_5_i?th=1

You know, in case you need to jump start a D8 bulldozer.

The opposite is true as well. Here's one C&D passed on:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087LRFYDB

 

[Mark S.]

Final note. I got my BSBB back today. The cause of my electrical problem stemmed from a faulty instrument cluster.

I stand--sit actually--corrected. Thanks for the update.

 

[rocks]

When you wrote "CR", did you mean Consumer Reports? That's what I thought, which is why I checked out their reviews. The fact that the GB40 is not listed does not necessarily mean anything. If they tested it before, they probably just bumped it for a newer model. If they never tested it, that also typically does not mean much. That happens a lot. With so many products on the market, they can only test a sample of what's available.

C&D cannot always be as objective as CR, but it seems like they did a good job rating portable jump starters.

As they said about the GB40:

"But if you're short on space and want to have a portable jump starter around, this is the one to get."

The "but" refers to the fact that with any compact, light weight jump starter there are trade-offs. Anyone interested can check out the C&D article for more.

The bottom line with any device like this is, does it work? Does it fulfill the owners needs?

It's easy to get carried away and buy something that's way more than is necessary. For example, this unit -- big brother to the heaviest one C&D tested:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFHMVG/ref=emc_b_5_i?th=1

You know, in case you need to jump start a D8 bulldozer.

The opposite is true as well. Here's one C&D passed on:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087LRFYDB

Ok, all I can say is I used the unit a couple of times and it worked well.

 

[sajohnson]

Ok, all I can say is I used the unit a couple of times and it worked well.

That's what matters.

BTW -- Another factor that is often overlooked is temperature. Both lithium and lead-acid batteries perform best when warm, about 80*F. I noticed you are in SC, so you do not have to be concerned with really cold temps like someone in MN or ND.

Most lithium batteries will not discharge at all below around 0*F -- and they really like to be above ~50* -- the warmer the better (well, to a point -- they have a high temp cut-off). We have 2 of them in our RV and they perform well because we are generally in moderate climates. I'm not sure what people up north do to keep lithium jump starters working in the winter. They can't be left in the car. That's where a compact one like the GB40 would come in handy -- if necessary it could be tossed in a bag and taken inside.

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