Bronco struggles to turn over - getting Charging System Service Now message + multiple alerts upon ignition

[JRav007]

Hello all! I’ve had a great 65k out of my 2021 Big Bend Sport, and then suddenly I went to start it today and it sputtered and eventually started, but not confidently. It immediately gave the “Charging System Service Now” message before scrolling through a ton of error messages. Multiple attempts resulted in the same error and problem. I looked around on here and saw that a lot of people have had a rough go of this problem. My dealership has a hellishly long wait. Is this something that really could be as simple as a bad battery? If so, should I just take it to a local non-dealership shop to be looked at? I don’t want to just drive it, hoping that it continue to start. Any advice?

I’ve attached video as well.

I’m secretly hoping for Ford to intervene here and ask for my VIN as I’ve seen happen in other threads ?

 

[Dude]

You are out of warranty and the most likely fix and best solution is to get a new AGM Battery installed.

You’ll be glad you did.

Make sure you or the installer runs the BMS Reset (procedure is in the owners manual and repeated below for your convenience).

Then ask the dealership to install Recall 24S24 which likely is no charge to you.

Battery Sensor Reset (Battery Management System (BMS) Reset):
When you install a new battery, reset the battery sensor by doing the following:
1. Switch ignition on, and leave the engine off.
Note: Complete Steps 2 & 3 within 10 seconds.
2. Flash the high beam headlamps five times, ending with the high beams off.
3. Press and release the brake pedal 3 times.
The battery warning lamp flashes 3 times to confirm that the reset is successful.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Hello all! I’ve had a great 65k out of my 2021 Big Bend Sport, and then suddenly I went to start it today and it sputtered and eventually started, but not confidently. It immediately gave the “Charging System Service Now” message before scrolling through a ton of error messages. Multiple attempts resulted in the same error and problem. I looked around on here and saw that a lot of people have had a rough go of this problem. My dealership has a hellishly long wait. Is this something that really could be as simple as a bad battery? If so, should I just take it to a local non-dealership shop to be looked at? I don’t want to just drive it, hoping that it continue to start. Any advice?

I’ve attached video as well.

I’m secretly hoping for Ford to intervene here and ask for my VIN as I’ve seen happen in other threads ?

Good morning, will you send us a message with your VIN and your local Ford dealer? We can investigate this concern on our end. Thanks!

 

[coopny]

DM ford, but as @Dude stated, 3 years into ownership the battery in your car is almost certainly toast.

Not all auto parts stores will touch the BS for battery replacement because it requires removing the air filter housing. Advance Auto parts under fit notes for the BS says "REQUIRES PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION: DO NOT attempt to install batteries in this vehicle"; O'Reilly states "Difficult To Install Battery, Professional Installation Recommended;".

If you have a Walmart with an auto shop (one that does oil changes and such with garage bays, not just an automotive section in the store), they have a well priced Everstart AGM with a four year free replacement warranty and can put it in for you.

If you want to replace the battery yourself, Walmart would be the cheapest option.

AAA does mobile battery replacement, you don't have to be a member. It won't be as cheap as Walmart, but if you can't get the car started and don't want to replace the battery yourself/have it towed, it's an option.

Whatever you do, make sure you get an AGM... EFB batteries are similar in price anyways, and the AGM batteries work better in these vehicles.

 

[Dude]

…Advance Auto parts under fit notes for the BS says "REQUIRES PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION: DO NOT attempt to install batteries in this vehicle"; O'Reilly states "Difficult To Install Battery, Professional Installation Recommended.

AAA does mobile battery replacement, you don't have to be a member.

Good input on the Everstart AGM.. several of my friends put in that battery, one failed within 6 months but Walmart replaced providing a new 4 year warranty and been no trouble since.

I used AAA for a Toyota recently and a few months ago asked about the Bronco Sport AGM. Price was reasonable (it’s a 3 year warranty) but there is an installation up charge for Bronco Sport because AAA said is a more difficult installation.

For my Bronco Sport I used a Ford dealership mobile service because my battery was in warranty. He swapped out the battery in minutes - very professional and was already familiar with the Bronco Sport. I’ll do my own next time - the only real difficulty is one of the battery hold down bolts is pretty easy to lose without the right tools. A magnetic socket helps.

I didn’t know about Advance Auto and O'Reilly but not surprised they do not want to install a battery in Bronco Sport. Thanks for sharing that info.

 

[coopny]

I used AAA for a Toyota recently and a few months ago asked about the Bronco Sport AGM. Price was reasonable (it’s a 3 year warranty) but there is an installation up charge for Bronco Sport because AAA said is a more difficult installation.

What was the upcharge amount? I priced out mobile battery at AAA Northeast and it quotes$242.99 members, $267.99 non-members, and it says that doesn't include sales tax. Later on the page it says that "Certain vehicles due to the location of the battery may require additional time to install", but it doesn't mention a potential upcharge on the quoted price.

I still am in the 3yr/36k mi bumper to bumper, so if the battery goes bad I'm going to get it replaced by the dealer in-warranty. If I get out of that, I'll probably pay AAA to do it.

Tried to remove the EFB once to charge it out of vehicle and the filter housing was being a pain so I just ended up charging it in vehicle.

 

[cario65]

When I was starting to have issues I was preemptive, because I was dealing with a family illness and could not be stuck. Just bought an AGM battery, installed and did the BMS reset. Didn’t bother with dealer or warranty. Just shelled out the cash and one less thing to worry about.

 

[Dude]

What was the AAA upcharge amount (to replace Bronco Sport battery)?

Tried to remove the EFB once to charge it out of vehicle and the filter housing was being a pain …

I believe the AAA up charge was about $35 for a Bronco Sport but could have been $50 (didn’t write it down) - the price might vary across the country and could go up or down over time but if you ever need AAA battery service the agent that books the appointment might be able to provide a cost but if not the Tech will of course.

I watched the Ford mobile Tech remove the air box - it wasn’t too bad but did require firm upward force along with a couple side to side twists. Minor Ugga Dugga force.

Btw… on 8/2022, for our Toyota, the AAA Battery was $219 total price with tax and with the battery terminal cleaning, terminal grease and the 2 fiber washer protectors under the terminals: 3 yr free replacement (plus 3 more prorated years) and AAA comes out on site.
That battery failed and replaced under warranty 1/2024 - cost $19.99 which is the AAA fee to wirebrush the cables, add terminal grease and the 2 fiber washer protectors under the terminals. Same battery type as on the 8/2022 installation but no new warranty just the remaining warranty from the 8/2022 original purchase.

 

[Balex88]

Good morning, will you send us a message with your VIN and your local Ford dealer? We can investigate this concern on our end. Thanks!

My 2021 badlands sport does the same thing

 

[ROADTRIP]

I had the same message. Had to get a new battery, of you dont get it from ford make sure they tighten everything down or you will still get the same message like I did. Had to pay for a diagnostic for them to tell me that the battery was not screwed down all the way.

 

[JRav007]

Thanks everybody for the input. This has been an ordeal already…

1. Took it to Firestone - tested the battery and it was dead…got a new battery.

2. Got halfway home and the “System Charging Service Now” message came back on, along with battery fail indicator, but none of the other alerts that came up previously.

3. Took it back to Firestone, they said that they would check it out. They reported that “the alternator has no output when they tested it.”

4. Drove it home and made an appointment at the dealership. Oddly, driving home I got no alerts or problems. Parked, started it again and the message came on. Sometimes the alert comes on, other times it does not. When I drove it to the dealership, midway through the drive the battery alert light turned off.

5. Dealership called and sent a video showing that the battery terminal had something loose that may be causing it to have the issue, but they needed to check further to make sure. They reported that both the battery and alternator were testing fine. Great news right?

6. 15 minutes later got a call from the dealership saying that the Water Pump was malfunctioning and dripping onto the alternator, which damaged the alternator, causing the problem. The parts and labor is $2500.

How we went from loose positive battery terminal to needing a new water pump and alternator I do not understand.

Does any of the above sound plausible?

 

[Dude]

Thanks everybody for the input. This has been an ordeal already…

1. Took it to Firestone - tested the battery and it was dead…got a new battery.

2. Got halfway home and the “System Charging Service Now” message came back on, along with battery fail indicator, but none of the other alerts that came up previously.

3. Took it back to Firestone, they said that they would check it out. They reported that “the alternator has no output when they tested it.”

4. Drove it home and made an appointment at the dealership. Oddly, driving home I got no alerts or problems. Parked, started it again and the message came on. Sometimes the alert comes on, other times it does not. When I drove it to the dealership, midway through the drive the battery alert light turned off.

5. Dealership called and sent a video showing that the battery terminal had something loose that may be causing it to have the issue, but they needed to check further to make sure. They reported that both the battery and alternator were testing fine. Great news right?

6. 15 minutes later got a call from the dealership saying that the Water Pump was malfunctioning and dripping onto the alternator, which damaged the alternator, causing the problem. The parts and labor is $2500.

How we went from loose positive battery terminal to needing a new water pump and alternator I do not understand.

Does any of the above sound plausible?

All of it and since you had not mentioned the BMS was reset after the battery was installed that may be another source (battery management system reset in the owners manual n the section on battery replacement)

Other owners posted that that the negative cable which attaches to drivers side right front fender had been loose and is also possible for one or more terminals at the battery to be loose - any of these can cause intermittent issues

water pump leak is likely just coincidental

 

[JRav007]

I had the same message. Had to get a new battery, of you dont get it from ford make sure they tighten everything down or you will still get the same message like I did. Had to pay for a diagnostic for them to tell me that the battery was not screwed down all the way.

So…this is exactly what the dealership initially told me and sent videos of. However while “making sure”, it turned into “the water pump is leaking onto the alternator, which damaged the alternator.” So now it is a $2500 repair out of nowhere…

 

[JRav007]

All of it and since you had not mentioned the BMS was reset after the battery was installed that may be another source (battery management system reset in the owners manual n the section on battery replacement)

Other owners posted that that the negative cable which attaches to drivers side right front fender had been loose and is also possible for one or more terminals at the battery to be loose - any of these can cause intermittent issues

water pump leak is likely just coincidental

Thanks! And also thank you for mentioning the BMS reset…I can confirm that it was completed and still no fix!

It looks like I have no choice but to trust what they are saying here and replace the alternator and water pump…

 

[Dude]

Thanks! And also thank you for mentioning the BMS reset…I can confirm that it was completed and still no fix!

It looks like I have no choice but to trust what they are saying here and replace the alternator and water pump…

I missed that you said the leaking water pump killed the alternator! Hadn’t seen that reported by other 1.5L owners. And didn’t know that was even possible on the 1.5L engine so is worth confirming if the dealership is correct. That’s a double hit! Bummer!!

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