Unsolved Mysteries of the BS Electrical system - Battery(?)

[biglarrr]

Well - I recently got the Recall completed for the Fuel Injector issue, along with a computer update.
I mention this because the day after the update, I noticed a new mystery regarding the new battery they had to put in after only 8 months of ownership.
While I was trying to convince Ford that the battery was failing, I purchased a volt meter to monitor my voltage while driving.
It always did what I expected. - showing 14.8v while moving, and about 14.6 when sitting at a stoplight. .

NOW - - - After the Recall computer update
I don't even know how to explain this other than to say Nope - I'm not kidding.
I still had the voltmeter connected from the previous battery issue, but hadn't been paying any attention, since the readings were consistent.
The day after my recall was completed, I glanced at the meter and it showed 12.9.
The next stoplight I looked again and it was 14.6 SO - maybe it was just a momentary glitch.
Nope - as soon as I started moving again, it dropped back to 12.9.
I got my wife to go for a ride with me, and it was easy to see, that every time I let off the gas, the voltage went up to 14.6, and when I applied the gas, it immediately dropped to 12.9.
It's not a gradual thing. Hit the gas - it drops to 12.9. Let off the gas it jumps to 14.6

I talked to the manager of the Service department and asked if anyone else had the issue.
He said No. And he asked "Is everything working ?"
I said yes.
He said "You need to disconnect that voltmeter and just enjoy driving it for awhile.

Sponsored

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Well - I recently got the Recall completed for the Fuel Injector issue, along with a computer update.
I mention this because the day after the update, I noticed a new mystery regarding the new battery they had to put in after only 8 months of ownership.
While I was trying to convince Ford that the battery was failing, I purchased a volt meter to monitor my voltage while driving.
It always did what I expected. - showing 14.8v while moving, and about 14.6 when sitting at a stoplight. .

NOW - - - After the Recall computer update
I don't even know how to explain this other than to say Nope - I'm not kidding.
I still had the voltmeter connected from the previous battery issue, but hadn't been paying any attention, since the readings were consistent.
The day after my recall was completed, I glanced at the meter and it showed 12.9.
The next stoplight I looked again and it was 14.6 SO - maybe it was just a momentary glitch.
Nope - as soon as I started moving again, it dropped back to 12.9.
I got my wife to go for a ride with me, and it was easy to see, that every time I let off the gas, the voltage went up to 14.6, and when I applied the gas, it immediately dropped to 12.9.
It's not a gradual thing. Hit the gas - it drops to 12.9. Let off the gas it jumps to 14.6

I talked to the manager of the Service department and asked if anyone else had the issue.
He said No. And he asked "Is everything working ?"
I said yes.
He said "You need to disconnect that voltmeter and just enjoy driving it for awhile.

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.

 

[MoFoCo]

Don't overthink it. The charging system is smart and will vary the voltage depending on battery state of charge and current demand.

I had a USB adapter w/ voltmeter on mine and I frequently got readings over 15V while stopped. I suspect the calibration on the meter was bad, never bothered to check against my Fluke DMM, but I haven't had any problems in 2 years.

 

[biglarrr]

Really ? ? ? Don't Overthink it ? ? ?

Did you bother to read my entire post, before jumping on one word, and coming up with
Don't overthink it.
Readings were consistent, and right where you'd expect to see them prior to the injector Recall and subsequent Programming update.
Now it does exactly the opposite of what all knowledgeable Logic would suggest.
Voltage drop when engine speeds up.
Voltage increase when engine speed decreases.
And it's not in increments. I lift my foot off the accelerator, and the voltage increases.
I press (even lightly) on the accelerator and voltage drops immediately.

That doesn't require overthinking. That doesn't even require underthinking.
That is a shining light that says "Something changed, and it doesn't make any sense.

 

[biglarrr]

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.

Who do I contact? I certainly don't want to post my VIN #, or any other personal info other than what my profile shows on this forum.

 

[Bucko]

Click on their blue box (post #2 on this thread). You will see "start conversation". Click that and you will be talking to them directly in a private message conversation.

 

[biglarrr]

Thanks. I didn't know that.

 

[biglarrr]

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.

I'm not going to call this a warning.
It's more of a heads up for anyone who is thinking about letting these guys that call themselves Ford Motor Company Reps.
As soon as I clicked the chat link, I got a SCAM warning, but I decided to take a chance and send them the information they asked for.
I provided all of the details with readings prior to the update and after.
I provided my VIN # and dealership number, and other information.
Then I get a reply back that just came across as "TOTAL SCAM"
**************************************
Could you please provide:
-Your full name
-The vehicle owner's full name, and your relation to them (if applicable)
-Estimated mileage
-Your zip code
-Email and mobile phone number
Drew
Ford Social Media Team
*****************************
I told them "THANKS, but NO THANKS"

 

[Dude]

I'm not going to call this a warning.
It's more of a heads up for anyone who is thinking about letting these guys that call themselves Ford Motor Company Reps.
As soon as I clicked the chat link, I got a SCAM warning, but I decided to take a chance and send them the information they asked for.
I provided all of the details with readings prior to the update and after.
I provided my VIN # and dealership number, and other information.
Then I get a reply back that just came across as "TOTAL SCAM"
**************************************
Could you please provide:
-Your full name
-The vehicle owner's full name, and your relation to them (if applicable)
-Estimated mileage
-Your zip code
-Email and mobile phone number
Drew
Ford Social Media Team
*****************************
I told them "THANKS, but NO THANKS"

I’ve worked with Drew, great guy and super helpful. If it is the same one.

you can call Ford Customer Service if you don’t want to message them. They ask the same questions before opening a ticket for you. They essentially will be the go-between you, the dealership service department and if needed other Ford specialists until your problems are resolved.

+1 (866) 436-7332.

 

[Jmuns]

It’s a Ford rep. Even if it was a scammer they can’t do anything with that info. I could get the same info off your car in your driveway and a piece of mail from you mailbox.

 

[Mark S.]

As soon as I clicked the chat link, I got a SCAM warning, but I decided to take a chance and send them the information they asked for.

The scam warning pops up ANY time you send a private message. Go ahead and send me a a PM and you'll see the same warning. It's just a generalized heads up to make sure you know who you're talking to before sharing information. The FoMoCo rep has been posting on this board for quite some time. I assume the board's owner has confirmed the account is legit.

If you're uncomfortable communicating via the forum ask for a website contact page or email address you can use instead.

 

[biglarrr]

It’s a Ford rep. Even if it was a scammer they can’t do anything with that info. I could get the same info off your car in your driveway and a piece of mail from you mailbox.

I agree 100%
Security is a fantasy, but as much as possible, I try to avoid anything that doesn't sound right, and requiring my phone number and email address on top of the other information was excessive to just ask the question. Is this OK or is it an issue?

 

[Jmuns]

I agree 100%
Security is a fantasy, but as much as possible, I try to avoid anything that doesn't sound right, and requiring my phone number and email address on top of the other information was excessive to just ask the question. Is this OK or is it an issue?

I think they are asking for that info because they are going to attempt to have your local dealership reach out to you, or at least have some contact info when they pass the request/complaint on.

As others have said, just use Ford Chat if you aren’t comfortable with that. They are quick to respond there.

 

[biglarrr]

Well - I recently got the Recall completed for the Fuel Injector issue, along with a computer update.
I mention this because the day after the update, I noticed a new mystery regarding the new battery they had to put in after only 8 months of ownership.
While I was trying to convince Ford that the battery was failing, I purchased a volt meter to monitor my voltage while driving.
It always did what I expected. - showing 14.8v while moving, and about 14.6 when sitting at a stoplight. .

NOW - - - After the Recall computer update
I don't even know how to explain this other than to say Nope - I'm not kidding.
I still had the voltmeter connected from the previous battery issue, but hadn't been paying any attention, since the readings were consistent.
The day after my recall was completed, I glanced at the meter and it showed 12.9.
The next stoplight I looked again and it was 14.6 SO - maybe it was just a momentary glitch.
Nope - as soon as I started moving again, it dropped back to 12.9.
I got my wife to go for a ride with me, and it was easy to see, that every time I let off the gas, the voltage went up to 14.6, and when I applied the gas, it immediately dropped to 12.9.
It's not a gradual thing. Hit the gas - it drops to 12.9. Let off the gas it jumps to 14.6

OK - so I overreacted.
Now - has anyone who has had the recall completed noticed what I wrote about?
I figured it was a long shot, since monitoring your voltage is not a common practice.
I went to my service department manager first, and I didn't really expect that he would have heard of it.
I was really hoping that just maybe someone in the forum community might have some knowledge about whether it is an issue or not.

 

[biglarrr]

I sound like I'm a graduate of Drama school every time I post one of these notes, so I guess I'll continue.
WOW ! ! ! I mean ""W"O"W" ! ! !
I just watched the video of the drain hose installation.
See posting "Picture of the installed tray(?) for fuel drainage.
I'll run with this for a moment before I get back to my battery anomalies.
I suggested on another post that it's a hose that they could probably get at Ace Hardware.
Supposedly Dealers are only getting two of these per week.
BUT - Honest to God - when you see this thing in the video, You could truly get something just like at your local hardware store. It's not even threaded, and you cover it with loctite and push it into an existing hole in the engine. I'm amused to the point of a "Face Palm" reaction. Loctite in a hole where gas could be flowing ? ? ? Oh and it runs down to a pre-existing hole on a bracket at the bottom of the engine. You could easily get the impression that it was already supposed to be there, and they figured they'd save 50 cents and not include it on a million vehicles.
*********************
OK so back to my battery anomalies. If you watched the video, the battery has to be removed to install this Perfect(?) fix for another quality Ford part. OK - I'm being dramatic, but this Hare brained fix requires pulling the battery and battery tray, and this is no easy activity. There's multiple wires and harnesses that have to be unbolted and pried loose, or cut loose from miscellaneous attachments. Putting it all back in place just begs for mistakes crimped wires or who knows.
Throw in a computer update that the service writer claimed had nothing to do with the injector issue, and was just an update like you would do on your Windows computer, and my anomaly doesn't seem so far fetched.
OK _ I'm still waiting. Does anyone have an explanation why voltage would drop on acceleration, and climb while idling ? ?
That is All.
Drama class is over

Sponsored