12 volt battery charge state detection recall coming out.

[RushMan]

Wish I had been as lucky as DahliaDarlin'. Awoke to a dead battery twice just days before scheduled recall service. Am also experiencing same issues with auto/start stop. Asked if they would replace battery under warranty, was refused. Guess they'll be replacing it after all.

Maybe not. The recall will reprogram the BCM and PCM.
My dealer also refused to replace the battery. Some folks have had the good fortune to get an AGM replacement under warranty. My dealer says No way they would substitute the up-rated battery instead of an EFB as a warranty replacement.

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[sajohnson]

Maybe not. The recall will reprogram the BCM and PCM.
My dealer also refused to replace the battery. Some folks have had the good fortune to get an AGM replacement under warranty. My dealer says No way they would substitute the up-rated battery instead of an EFB as a warranty replacement.

Oddly, when I checked the prices for the BHEF and BAGM batteries (for another thread) the AGM was actually LESS expensive. That really surprised me because when I've compared golf cart vs AGM batteries with similar capacities (for our RV) AGM was at least 2x more expensive.

So the dealers should have no problem installing a BAGM under warranty.

That said, the BHEF and BAGM have very similar specs (CCA and reserve capacity). Given a choice, I'd take the AGM, but as a practical matter it may not be much better. Perhaps longer service life -- although in normal automotive use (assuming this recall fixes any issues) DOD is shallow, maybe 10-15%, in which case the cycle life is similar for both types.

 

[Mark S.]

Maybe not. The recall will reprogram the BCM and PCM.
My dealer also refused to replace the battery.

If the details on this recall are correct owners may not need a new battery. It may be the OE battery is simply not getting properly charged while driving. If the reprogram fixes that problem then a new battery is unnecessary.

 

[RushMan]

If the details on this recall are correct owners may not need a new battery. It may be the OE battery is simply not getting properly charged while driving. If the reprogram fixes that problem then a new battery is unnecessary.

That's what I just said.
I was referring to the service advisor's comment that they won't replace batteries with a different version on my Feb 26th service visit when I had battery problems with several instances of Sleep and deep Sleep modes.

 

[Mark S.]

That's what I just said.
I was referring to the service advisor's comment that they won't replace batteries with a different version on my Feb 26th service visit when I had battery problems with several instances of Sleep and deep Sleep modes.

I'm not disputing you, I'm adding detail. Specifically, the reason dealerships will likely not replace batteries in conjunction with this recall.

 

[Glamdring70]

I constantly have to charge and battery tend mine or I think the battery would be dead by now. Mine is always garaged at home. The garage is unconditioned, but it is insulated and attached so it is always between about 50 and 80. All of our cars seem to enjoy a trickle charge now and then, but the Bronco by far needs it more than the others. The car does a lot of seemingly useless stuff while off. I can just walk by in the garage with no key nearby and it will activate and call home base. I have auto updates off; i.e. it has no valid reason to wake. Opening only one door or even the lift glass and the whole thing comes alive, headlight fans and all. Just so I can grab a pair of shades and go mowing.

By the way, anyone wash theirs at home? Do you also notice how much the wash spray over the IA door handles causes the car to wake or the doorpad to light up? I can only imagine how much of that goes on when the car is parked in heavy rain outside.

The ASS system not activating is the first sign that the reserve charge is going down. I used to always slam the off button when starting the car but there are already 10 other functions to worry about so I quit bothering. I also keep a combo light/USB/voltmeter plugged into the media console 12V. If the battery is down, then right when I start, the alternator usually goes right to 14.8 or 14.9 on the voltmeter. I think that is probably the maximum output of the system. If the battery is fresh, it's a lower reading. Mine came with a lead acid. I would guess that the AGM and LA need different charging curves. It will be interesting to see which owners get the 450,000 recalls. Is it only LA installs? Is it only AGM ? Is it a mix?

 

[Dude]

The car does a lot of seemingly useless stuff while off .. i.e. it has no valid reason to wake.

Your Badlands probably has the rear backup sensors like mine. I’ve wondered if walking past those (no keyfob nearby) will activate the Badlands (in that scenario: no headlamps turn on, no headlamp fans turn on). Mine does.

 

[Bucko]

I wash our BS at home, and yes, just touching the door area will light up the touch panel at the door.

 

[Nosmo Rex]

I just had my OBX serviced last week, including an issue where the auto stop/start feature stopped working. It was working on the drive home, then stopped again the next day. This recall hopefully will resolve that.

 

[freddyboy47]

Since I don't drive my BS OBX much, and when I do, it is for short periods. I decided to get one of those volt meters that plug into the cigarette lighter plug and monitor the battery and charging state. I do notice that the charge voltage (with engine running) is sometimes as high as 15.3V. I assume that the system is trying to fast charge the battery (?). I have taken to putting a battery charger (set for 10A) on the battery every week or two.

 

[rocks]

My BS will be at the dealer to get my Ford Performance wheels installed and an a Ford free oil change. I called today and asked if they do the recall calibrations of the BSC and PCM udates while it's there. The rep said he didn't know. So we'll see.

 

[Dude]

My BS will be at the dealer to get my Ford Performance wheels installed and an a Ford free oil change. I called today and asked if they do the recall calibrations of the BSC and PCM udates while it's there. The rep said he didn't know. So we'll see.

Probably in May. Some owners already made their appointment for that

I’m hoping local dealerships will do the software updates at my house with their mobile service but I’ve had one tell me they never do software updates via mobile service due to the unpredictability in the time it takes. Other owners said they did get their dealership to do software updates via mobile service.

 

[sajohnson]

Probably in May. Some owners already made their appointment for that

I’m hoping local dealerships will do the software updates at my house with their mobile service but I’ve had one tell me they never do software updates via mobile service due to the unpredictability in the time it takes. Other owners said they did get their dealership to do software updates via mobile service.

A cynical person might suspect that some dealerships would much rather have customers bring their vehicles in, so they have a ready list of excuses as to why they do not use their mobile service for a variety of issues.

It's similar to how some dealerships claim to provide free loaner cars, but when customers ask for one there are none available.

Software updates are typically straight-forward and only take a few minutes.

 

[Dude]

A cynical person might suspect that some dealerships would much rather have customers bring their vehicles in, so they have a ready list of excuses as to why they do not use their mobile service for a variety of issues.

It's similar to how some dealerships claim to provide free loaner cars, but when customers ask for one there are none available.

Software updates are typically straight-forward and only take a few minutes.

Good to know. I’ll mention that when I schedule, I’m in no hurry for the software updates. Btw Ive asked the dealership in the past for a list of the current software versions and what modules are out of date for my vehicle and they wouldn’t do it. Probably the Ford techs that work on their own vehicles know the info but isn’t a provided service.
I’ll probably wait until summer is over to get the updated software.

 

[sajohnson]

Since I don't drive my BS OBX much, and when I do, it is for short periods. I decided to get one of those volt meters that plug into the cigarette lighter plug and monitor the battery and charging state. I do notice that the charge voltage (with engine running) is sometimes as high as 15.3V. I assume that the system is trying to fast charge the battery (?). I have taken to putting a battery charger (set for 10A) on the battery every week or two.

Connecting a charger every week or two can work OK. Another method I've heard of is to leave the charger connected to the battery but plug it into a timer so it only has power for about 1 hour per day.

An easier and more accurate way to keep a battery charged is to use a "Battery Tender" (or Battery Minder). They are small, sophisticated battery charger/maintainers. They can be left connected indefinitely.

https://www.batterytender.com/

The unit shown is older. It is just 1.25A but works fine with the large AGM starting battery in our diesel Sprinter cab-chassis.

Newer units are sealed, some are weather resistant. Outputs vary from <1A to >4A. The larger units are not necessary unless: a) the owner wants to charge the battery faster, or b) the vehicle places a large, constant, parasitic load on the battery. The output of the BT must obviously exceed the current drawn from the battery.

I've found that even BT's smallest maintainer (the 0.75A "Junior") will work on our car batteries (but I use it for a motorcycle).

A BT will easily pay for itself by increasing the service life of your battery(s).

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