No start with random warning lights

[Badlander1234]

So about 20 minutes ago I stopped at a gas station for gas and when I turn my car back on it didn't start. And about four warning lights came on. The first one was coolant over temperature warning even though it wasn't and I could clearly see the cooling temperature gauge was fine. The car been running fine and it hadn't been over temp before that and it's about 50° out. I'm in Phoenix. Also I saw parking aid was out and I believe two other ones that I didn't read. I should have taken a picture or video but basically I just turned it off and pressed the start button again and it started up fine and it started up fine two more times since then but I haven't had the body control module recall done because I had read in some places that people had just had more issues after it had been done but I want to rule that out so I'm going to go ahead and have it done. I just scheduled it for next week. Of course when I was planning to go do something.

But I think the real culprit is the battery because I've noticed when I've been camping that even just after like a day sometimes less than a day and not using the car for anything. It'll do that battery saver thing if it just sits for a little while, And then also whenever I was driving back from camping last night the voltage instead of reading like 14.7 on my volt gauge it was reading 15 and then 15.1 which is too high but not scary high. But yeah so I'm pretty sure it's just my battery going and it was messing with some of the sensors especially with the cold but I want to rule that out with that stupid recall first because I'm still paying for my dogs surgery for like one more paycheck.

But basically even if it seems fine as soon as I can I'm going to buy a new battery and I'm going to get an optima red top because that's what I always do when my batteries fail and they're out of warranty and I can't get them replaced for free because they're just better and I've never had an issue with one and I camp alone too often to have battery issues.

Sorry so to get to the point of it has this happened to anyone else? And if it did, did you continue to have issues and if so what did you do and did it get fixed?

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[Ksnau]

Yeah it should be within 3 years. I only got it in March of 2023. I just don't want it to keep happening, but it almost seems like getting the optima isn't the guarantee that it used to be so I have enough points for one more free oil change. I might have them see if they'll replace it, although if AutoZone's test said it was still good. I don't know if they will but I guess it's worth a try. I got about 2,000 mi until my next oil change so I guess as long as I don't have any more issues I'll wait it out. So far it's been good but I also drive it everyday so it usually doesn't have much chance to drain down. It's usually just on the longer camping trips when it goes more than 12 hours without running

 

[Ksnau]

So I had a bunch of stuff going on but I finally got a new battery up at Sam's club for $215 with tax and everything and oh my gosh just getting in and driving the car. I could feel a difference in the power steering. So even though the cheap little Amazon volt gauge that I bought to monitor if it was reading I think like 12.2 with the car off and like 14.4 with it on. But before I started having issues it was normally reading like 14.9 volts running and I think like 12.9 when it was off. So it was it was down by like half a volt and it's just crazy how much a difference that makes. And that's a half a volt on a cheap Amazon gate so I would say plus or minus another half a volt although when I tested the battery with my volmeter I think I remember it being only being off like two points. 2/10's of a volt

But yes battery I could immediately sense a huge difference just in the power steering. And I did do the battery reset. I wish I thought to do that with before I change the battery to see if that made a difference but I only just thought about that right now

 

[Me3]

So I had a bunch of stuff going on but I finally got a new battery up at Sam's club for $215 with tax and everything and oh my gosh just getting in and driving the car. I could feel a difference in the power steering. So even though the cheap little Amazon volt gauge that I bought to monitor if it was reading I think like 12.2 with the car off and like 14.4 with it on. But before I started having issues it was normally reading like 14.9 volts running and I think like 12.9 when it was off. So it was it was down by like half a volt and it's just crazy how much a difference that makes. And that's a half a volt on a cheap Amazon gate so I would say plus or minus another half a volt although when I tested the battery with my volmeter I think I remember it being only being off like two points. 2/10's of a volt

But yes battery I could immediately sense a huge difference just in the power steering. And I did do the battery reset. I wish I thought to do that with before I change the battery to see if that made a difference but I only just thought about that right now

I noticed a big difference in the transmission, shifted much smoother after I completely charged my battery. It had been in battery save mode for a long time before I charged it up. I haven’t noticed any difference with power steering, but I always turn on the adaptive cruise and lane centering when I get in the car, which stiffens the steering. Good to know about the power steering though.

I did try the battery reset previously and it didn’t help anything regarding charging that I could tell.

 

[Dude]

I noticed a big difference in the transmission, shifted much smoother after I completely charged my battery. It had been in battery save mode for a long time before I charged it up. I haven’t noticed any difference with power steering, but I always turn on the adaptive cruise and lane centering when I get in the car, which stiffens the steering. Good to know about the power steering though.

I did try the battery reset previously and it didn’t help anything regarding charging that I could tell.

It’s more likely the transmission has entered its relearn cycle

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/ford-8f35-transmission-relearn-cycle.11467/

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/resetting-the-ford-8f35-transmission.11466/

 

[Me3]

It’s more likely the transmission has entered its relearn cycle

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/ford-8f35-transmission-relearn-cycle.11467/

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/resetting-the-ford-8f35-transmission.11466/

Would the tcu do that if the battery was just low, then charged to capacity? I never did the procedure you linked to. I hope that’s not necessary every time the battery gets low.
Thanks for the link.

 

[Dude]

... I finally got a new battery up at Sam's club … I could feel a difference in the power steering
And I did do the battery reset

@Ksnau There is this YouTube video that documents use of a trickle charger .. “possibly results in the power steering control module tripping a fault and possible power steering reduction within the steering system”.. I don’t know if that power steering reduction could also occur due to a low battery or failing battery (I didn’t watch the entire video), anyway possibly there is an answer as to why your power steering improved after changing out the battery.

The link to the YouTube is:

 

[Dude]

@Me3 you reported this:

“Your vehicle was in battery save mode for a long time before charging it up”
After that you noticed:
1. big difference in the transmission: shifted much smoother after completely charging the battery
2. haven’t noticed any difference with power steering

The Bronco Sport Owners Manual states this:

“If you disconnect or replace the battery and your vehicle has an automatic transmission, it must relearn its adaptive strategy. Because of this, the transmission may shift firmly when first driven. This is normal operation while the transmission fully updates its operation to optimum shift feel.”

Perhaps your battery was low enough for long enough to be as if the battery was disconnected even though in your case was not actually disconnected.

That was the reason I stated it was more likely your transmission entered its relearn cycle.

Note: another owner on this Forum posted this:
TCM: there is no separate controller for the transmission, the 8F35 transmission is controlled by the PCM

 

[Me3]

Thanks. That makes sense. I never checked the state of charge, but it took a day and a half to charge it with my little 1amp noco.

I’ll be happy when they replace the battery under recall. This week I hope.

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