Electrical Battery problems blank screen

[Texasjlh]

It started with screen message - system off to save battery. Took
To dealership - installed new battery. Now the screen shows same message & the whole system goes black. Battery light came on. Took to dealership - had Wednesday 10am appointment and today they said it will be Monday or Tuesday before they can look at it…. I was hoping this was a minor issue - but now I am really concerned!! ?

 

[KidWiff]

The first message almost looks as if the ignition button was pressed without a foot on the brake and the "accessory" switch was left on. Then the computer shut things down as it knew the battery was getting drained?

If a new battery not resolving the issue i'm guessing it's something more tricky and that the Dealer can plug into the computer and diagnose. I'll be curious as to the cause/resolution of this one!

 

[Rogerthat898]

How long after replacing the battery did the issue return?
Some people have had a bad battery ground to the frame. This could be why the battery is not getting charged while driving.

 

[Black Horse]

Maybe the Dealership forgot to reset the battery/system after replacement. You can do that yourself.

 

[Black Horse]

Maybe the Dealership forgot to reset the battery/system after replacement. You can do that yourself.

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.

 

[Mark S.]

I'm with Roger and Dave: Either the tech didn't properly reconnect the battery, or they failed to reset the BMS.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

It started with screen message - system off to save battery. Took
To dealership - installed new battery. Now the screen shows same message & the whole system goes black. Battery light came on. Took to dealership - had Wednesday 10am appointment and today they said it will be Monday or Tuesday before they can look at it…. I was hoping this was a minor issue - but now I am really concerned!! ?

Hi there, I'd be happy to look into your Bronco concerns on my end. Will you send us a message with your VIN and dealership info? I can look into things on my end.

 

[sajohnson]

I'm with Roger and Dave: Either the tech didn't properly reconnect the battery, or they failed to reset the BMS.

That could definitely be the case.

Another possibility was mentioned by Roger:

"Some people have had a bad battery ground to the frame."

At least as I understand it, that refers to the neg(-) cable > body/frame connection.

Other vehicles have had that issue. We're all used to checking the battery terminals because that's a more common failure point. Other ground connections rarely become loose or resistive, but it can happen.

From what I read elsewhere here it sounded like in some cases the cable terminal hardware was never tightened at the factory.

 

[Texasjlh]

Service department said that I had a loose battery cable ? We had check for loose cable before taking in to shop. The service departhad installed the new battery about 3 weeks ago. Was told I just needed to pay for the diagnostics test $150 - I ask for copy of that report. I really don't think they ran a diagnostic test!!! I let them know that I was not happy without my car for 6 days and you tell me it was just a loose cable on battery that was purchased & installed at their shop. Well - I made it home (about 10 miles) Im honestly scared to drive it and get stranded! The Auto stop start is not working. No lights or warning on my drive home.. Thinking that maybe I need to switch from Ford automobiles. ? Frustrated

 

[sajohnson]

Service department said that I had a loose battery cable ? We had check for loose cable before taking in to shop. The service departhad installed the new battery about 3 weeks ago. Was told I just needed to pay for the diagnostics test $150 - I ask for copy of that report. I really don't think they ran a diagnostic test!!! I let them know that I was not happy without my car for 6 days and you tell me it was just a loose cable on battery that was purchased & installed at their shop. Well - I made it home (about 10 miles) Im honestly scared to drive it and get stranded! The Auto stop start is not working. No lights or warning on my drive home.. Thinking that maybe I need to switch from Ford automobiles. ? Frustrated

You said, "We had check for loose cable before taking in to shop." I imagine both were tight?

So either the cable was actually loose (and you just didn't notice) in which case it was their fault since they recently installed the battery -- or -- you were correct and the cables were tight and they LIED and claimed a cable was loose.

Either way, it's on them.

It's pretty bold of them to charge you $150 (or any amount) for a problem that was their fault! If you paid that bill you might consider asking for a refund. If they refuse, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company, and/or contact your state AG's Office of Consumer Affairs. It never hurts to file reviews and/or complaints with the BBB, Dealer Rater, Google, Yelp, etc.

Also, there's obviously more going on if -- after tightening the battery cable -- the Auto stop/start is not working.

 

[Texasjlh]

I didn't pay the fee. Totally agree with you. I need to find a good Ford service department in the Dallas Fort Worth Texas area!!!

 

[SeaJay]

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.

Bookmarked!

 

[Texasjlh]

Hi there, I'd be happy to look into your Bronco concerns on my end. Will you send us a message with your VIN and dealership info? I can look into things on my end.

 

[Texasjlh]

Checking to see if you received my information? Thanks!

 

[RushMan]

And now, this has happened to me..."System Off to Save Battery."
Only 300 miles on my new car. Usually, I keep it on a battery maintainer. Last week, being lazy, I didn't connect it.
It's been 5 days since I last drove it. Before that, it had a full charge, or as full as the battery maintainer provided.
These cars are vampires, sucking battery power for all the live sensors, Wi-Fi and such.
Last week I noticed something strange. After the center screen finished its bootup, the screen went black before coming back on to my home screen.
Whenever I get out of my car, I am in the habit of turning off the radio, HVAC set to manual or off. Now I'm going to disable Android Auto. I have no need for it presently. That's one less power draw via USB.
I haven't made an appt. at my local dealer yet. I'll give it one more chance.
In the meantime, I think I'll keep my portable jumper battery in my car, and be more rigorous (not so lazy), on connecting the battery maintainer.

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