Another Hybrid Battery Mystery - Advice/Tips?

[mhw21zap]

I picked up my 23 XLT Hybrid one month ago - after 17 months of waiting - and have since had 2 completely dead batteries. Both times I had to jump start my truck with my Noco GB40 and thankfully both times it worked. The first thing I wanted to figure out was whether or not my battery itself was weak/defective. I bought a multimeter and after multiple tests I continue to show a strong 12.6V to 13-14V with the key ignition on.

I then decided to take it to my local audio guy to have him determine whether or not my small Alpine KTA450 amp (50watt x 4 channel) could be running after the truck is turned off / draining battery during other times. My shop confirmed that the amp is wired correctly and does not draw power once the truck is off. They were so cool in fact, that they swapped out my amp that I had just purchased 3 weeks ago with a brand new one - just to be safe!

Then, they decided to test my battery 4 separate times by leaving the truck running in park, and measuring the amperage over time. Within 5-10-15 minutes my amperage dropped down to roughly 20 Milliamps. So they were baffled. Something is severely draining my battery while my truck sits running (not being driven, just parked with the key ignition on)

This makes sense because both times that my truck died, it was the morning after I had spent 10-ish minutes with the engine running after a long 50-75 mile drive the day previously. Despite being driven all day in the warm California sun, it appears that parking my truck in front of my house for 10-15 minutes was enough to do the damage. Wake up the next morning (both times) and discover the dreaded "Deep Sleep" notification - run outside and sure enough, completely dead truck. Power locks won't even work. Again, thankfully I have a Noco, but...yeah....

So I have an appointment with a dealership in Irvine, CA this afternoon as my local dealer where I purchased my truck is beyond corrupt and incompetent (I'm currently fighting them - and losing - for the $2,750 private offer that they refused to honor). I am hoping that by going to a reputable dealer who I've heard great things about from friends - as well as by my friend at the Beach Auto Sound in Huntington Beach - that they will be able to determine what might be causing such a severe and rapid drain on my truck battery.

I love this truck. It's only been 32 days since I picked it up and it pains me to have to hand it over to a dealer after a 17 month wait. I will post any updates I get so that hopefully we can come together and either find a solution or that at least my experience may help navigate another should they encounter such a thing.

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[MakinDoForNow]

I picked up my 23 XLT Hybrid one month ago - after 17 months of waiting - and have since had 2 completely dead batteries. Both times I had to jump start my truck with my Noco GB40 and thankfully both times it worked. The first thing I wanted to figure out was whether or not my battery itself was weak/defective. I bought a multimeter and after multiple tests I continue to show a strong 12.6V to 13-14V with the key ignition on.

I then decided to take it to my local audio guy to have him determine whether or not my small Alpine KTA450 amp (50watt x 4 channel) could be running after the truck is turned off / draining battery during other times. My shop confirmed that the amp is wired correctly and does not draw power once the truck is off. They were so cool in fact, that they swapped out my amp that I had just purchased 3 weeks ago with a brand new one - just to be safe!

Then, they decided to test my battery 4 separate times by leaving the truck running in park, and measuring the amperage over time. Within 5-10-15 minutes my amperage dropped down to roughly 20 Milliamps. So they were baffled. Something is severely draining my battery while my truck sits running (not being driven, just parked with the key ignition on)

This makes sense because both times that my truck died, it was the morning after I had spent 10-ish minutes with the engine running after a long 50-75 mile drive the day previously. Despite being driven all day in the warm California sun, it appears that parking my truck in front of my house for 10-15 minutes was enough to do the damage. Wake up the next morning (both times) and discover the dreaded "Deep Sleep" notification - run outside and sure enough, completely dead truck. Power locks won't even work. Again, thankfully I have a Noco, but...yeah....

So I have an appointment with a dealership in Irvine, CA this afternoon as my local dealer where I purchased my truck is beyond corrupt and incompetent (I'm currently fighting them - and losing - for the $2,750 private offer that they refused to honor). I am hoping that by going to a reputable dealer who I've heard great things about from friends - as well as by my friend at the Beach Auto Sound in Huntington Beach - that they will be able to determine what might be causing such a severe and rapid drain on my truck battery.

I love this truck. It's only been 32 days since I picked it up and it pains me to have to hand it over to a dealer after a 17 month wait. I will post any updates I get so that hopefully we can come together and either find a solution or that at least my experience may help navigate another should they encounter such a thing.

With the ignition key on there is two positions the first is accessory the second is ready to drive. Turn the key just partway to the accessory position and the voltage on the 12v buss being powered by the battery will be shown. If the key is turned further the voltage shown will be the voltage provided by the dcdc convertor to power the accessories and to charge the 12v battery. If you have had key in ready position for awhile and place it in accessory you will see voltage higher than 12.6 as the battery hasn't settled from the charge voltage yet. Wait about 30 minutes to an hour to see the actual battery voltage. Leaving truck in ready mode with ice cycling for 45-60 minutes should fully charge 12v without any actual driving. Turn off radio, AC, etc to save gas consumption when ice is on.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Check your battery cables at the battery as some have reported theirs were loose??

 

[RonFLA]

Yeah, when all the faulty battery cable reports started coming in, I got nervous too. Do yourself a favor and buy a battery monitor. It was well worth the piece of mind and it has an alarm that sends you a notification, on your phone, when the battery ever gets low.

Bluetooth Battery Monitor

 

[Gullzway]

Yeah, when all the faulty battery cable reports started coming in, I got nervous too. Do yourself a favor and buy a battery monitor. It was well worth the piece of mind and it has an alarm that sends you a notification, on your phone, when the battery ever gets low.

Bluetooth Battery Monitor

I'm interested, but that link's not working.

Although if it's Bluetooth you would have to be in range(15ft or so)for it to notify your phone correct? Also it's a constant small load on the battery, doesn't this contribute to lowering your batteries voltage?

Similar to this GODIAG Auto Battery Monitor, Bluetooth 4.0 Wireless Car Battery Tester 6~20V Auto Voltage Charging Cranking System Test Free App Battery Load Tester with Alarm https://a.co/d/dI9lo2G

 

[RonFLA]

This monitor has a crazy long range, like 200 feet. I can be in the house and the truck in the detached garage, still works fine. The voltage usage is absolutely tiny, not an issue for me. But yes, that’s the one. It’s not a solution but it does give piece of mind.

 

[Random]

Lots of us with the Deep Sleep issue and lots of posts about it. So far no confirmed fix.

 

[Bigbill27]

I picked up my 23 XLT Hybrid one month ago - after 17 months of waiting - and have since had 2 completely dead batteries. Both times I had to jump start my truck with my Noco GB40 and thankfully both times it worked. The first thing I wanted to figure out was whether or not my battery itself was weak/defective. I bought a multimeter and after multiple tests I continue to show a strong 12.6V to 13-14V with the key ignition on.

I then decided to take it to my local audio guy to have him determine whether or not my small Alpine KTA450 amp (50watt x 4 channel) could be running after the truck is turned off / draining battery during other times. My shop confirmed that the amp is wired correctly and does not draw power once the truck is off. They were so cool in fact, that they swapped out my amp that I had just purchased 3 weeks ago with a brand new one - just to be safe!

Then, they decided to test my battery 4 separate times by leaving the truck running in park, and measuring the amperage over time. Within 5-10-15 minutes my amperage dropped down to roughly 20 Milliamps. So they were baffled. Something is severely draining my battery while my truck sits running (not being driven, just parked with the key ignition on)

This makes sense because both times that my truck died, it was the morning after I had spent 10-ish minutes with the engine running after a long 50-75 mile drive the day previously. Despite being driven all day in the warm California sun, it appears that parking my truck in front of my house for 10-15 minutes was enough to do the damage. Wake up the next morning (both times) and discover the dreaded "Deep Sleep" notification - run outside and sure enough, completely dead truck. Power locks won't even work. Again, thankfully I have a Noco, but...yeah....

So I have an appointment with a dealership in Irvine, CA this afternoon as my local dealer where I purchased my truck is beyond corrupt and incompetent (I'm currently fighting them - and losing - for the $2,750 private offer that they refused to honor). I am hoping that by going to a reputable dealer who I've heard great things about from friends - as well as by my friend at the Beach Auto Sound in Huntington Beach - that they will be able to determine what might be causing such a severe and rapid drain on my truck battery.

I love this truck. It's only been 32 days since I picked it up and it pains me to have to hand it over to a dealer after a 17 month wait. I will post any updates I get so that hopefully we can come together and either find a solution or that at least my experience may help navigate another should they encounter such a thing.

First thing to do is eliminate Ford Pass app off your phone. It won't cure the problem, but it helps a lot.

 

[mhw21zap]

This monitor has a crazy long range, like 200 feet. I can be in the house and the truck in the detached garage, still works fine. The voltage usage is absolutely tiny, not an issue for me. But yes, that’s the one. It’s not a solution but it does give piece of mind.

This is a good idea. I just picked one up - thanks! I know it won't solve my problem, but just like me carrying a multimeter and battery jumper in my truck, it's one more safeguard at a minimum.

I presume that you fixed this to the 12V battery under your rear seat, yeah? (as opposed to the pos/ground terminals under the hood) You essentially just connect it, set it, and...forget it?

 

[RonFLA]

You essentially just connect it, set it, and...forget it?

Yes, Directly to battery. Correct.

 

[mhw21zap]

First thing to do is eliminate Ford Pass app off your phone. It won't cure the problem, but it helps a lot.

Yes, I considered this as a) I don't use it or like the idea of it - call me old school and b) I've heard that it can contribute to some of the parasitic drain. The reason I haven't done it yet is that I'm curious if by deleting the Ford Pass app, will it make any difference for the truck itself?

My thinking was that even if I delete the app, the truck itself is going to continue to post/send updates into the ether. Like a disc jockey at 3 am with nobody tuned in listening. Is this the case? If it's not the case, I'll happily delete the app if it means it will inform the truck to stop sending the signals, but otherwise, I was thinking I would only miss out on when I DID get the Deep Sleep notifications and ever have to bring it back to the dealership again.

 

[Bigbill27]

The funny thing about the deep sleep is that it effects so many the same way but most don't see any problems at all. Also, it seems to effect both hybrid and eco. I'm afraid this is going to turn out like the focus / fiesta transmission problem. There was no fix ever for that. You just had to live with it and keep your fingers crossed that yours didn't fail.

 

[RonFLA]

The funny thing about the deep sleep is that it effects so many the same way but most don't see any problems at all. Also, it seems to effect both hybrid and eco.

Anecdotally, it seems to be a much larger problem in the colder climates.

 

[Bigbill27]

Yes, I considered this as a) I don't use it or like the idea of it - call me old school and b) I've heard that it can contribute to some of the parasitic drain. The reason I haven't done it yet is that I'm curious if by deleting the Ford Pass app, will it make any difference for the truck itself?

My thinking was that even if I delete the app, the truck itself is going to continue to post/send updates into the ether. Like a disc jockey at 3 am with nobody tuned in listening. Is this the case? If it's not the case, I'll happily delete the app if it means it will inform the truck to stop sending the signals, but otherwise, I was thinking I would only miss out on when I DID get the Deep Sleep notifications and ever have to bring it back to the dealership again.

Here is my experience with deleting the ford pass app. I deleted it and waited 2 days and I continued to go into deep sleep every day about 5 min after I turned off the truck. I then decided that was not it and turned ford pass back on. after about another week of constant deep sleep, I turned the app back off and left it off. 5 days later my truck stopped going into deep sleep. I came out one morning and it lit up like a Christmas tree when I unlocked the doors. About 2 weeks later I went 1 day without driving the truck and it went back into deep sleep. The dome light stopped working until I turned the truck on. It still goes into deep sleep but it doesn't do it right away. It is keeping me from enjoying my truck like I would like. I have one of the crappy focus transmissions I have to live with and am losing patience for defects that can't be repaired.

 

[mhw21zap]

Anecdotally, it seems to be a much larger problem in the colder climates.

Yeah, that's what so strange in my case. I live in Southern California and have had 2 completely dead batteries within the first month. I've probably gotten 4 or 5 Deep Sleep notifications in that time as well (2 of which were tied to my battery actually going dead in the middle of the night)

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