12v battery issue not looking good

[Matso]

As I have posted numerous times before in response to similar issues regarding the hybrid's 12v battery, my problem persists. Only the mystery deepens and the solution remains elusive. It has now been 5 days that my "24 Lariat hybrid has been sitting in the service bay at my dealership, with no answers or even a workable theory that I know of. A brief history involves deep sleep mode continuously with daily voltage readings prior to driving of 11.3-11.5 volts and a no start condition. Eventually they replaced the battery and it wasn't the fix. And no amount of driving makes a difference. So back to the dealership for the third time. Basically, the battery will charge up to maybe 12.3 v and then drop overnight. So parasitic draw right? But the SOC ( state of charge) that is stuck at around 20% is the weird problem. An overnight 2 amp trickle charge does nothing. So I thought that it would be a fairly simple problem to solve but alas, not even close. I'm driving their loaner so I'm not desperate but I sure would like my truck back. I would also like to hear from anyone who has experienced a similar issue and if and how it was resolved. Thanks
One last note: the service advisor did say that Ford support has been contacted.

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[brettpep]

I know you are frustrated. And advice can seem snarky at times. I can say when I replaced my battery on my own with a non-Ford battery from Autozone AND reset my charging system (search the forum), my problems went away. Never had an issue since (1.5 years).
The Ford factory batteries are crap/defective.

 

[Matso]

I do not disagree, but I remain stubborn in my conviction that this should be resolved by the dealership and not on my dime. Yes it is an inconvenience, for some more than others. But if everyone just replaces theirs with a non factory battery then Ford will be quite happy to divest itself from any responsibility in resolving this. We have to shove this in their face. In addition, I am concerned that the installation of a non factory (non approved) battery by an owner could create sufficient cause for them to deny warranty coverage for anything related to an electrical issue.

 

[23grayXLT84]

turn off wifi / automatic updates and location services as a start and see if it helps.
if not, remove the fuse for cell modem (i think its fuse 10 or 11)

that should give you good general idea.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I do not disagree, but I remain stubborn in my conviction that this should be resolved by the dealership and not on my dime. Yes it is an inconvenience, for some more than others. But if everyone just replaces theirs with a non factory battery then Ford will be quite happy to divest itself from any responsibility in resolving this. We have to shove this in their face. In addition, I am concerned that the installation of a non factory (non approved) battery by an owner could create sufficient cause for them to deny warranty coverage for anything related to an electrical issue.

I agree with everything you said.
It is Ford's problem. Ford needs to solve the problem and fix it, 'on their dime.' You should not have to buy your own battery or remove parts or electrical pieces to solve Ford's problem for them. An owner should be able to leave their vehicle undriven for 3-4 + weeks without having to worry or put a charger on it.
I realize it is easy for somebody else to say, because they are not going through the inconvenience, but stick with it.
Please keep us updated.
Good luck to you.

 

[bgn]

I do not disagree, but I remain stubborn in my conviction that this should be resolved by the dealership and not on my dime. Yes it is an inconvenience, for some more than others. But if everyone just replaces theirs with a non factory battery then Ford will be quite happy to divest itself from any responsibility in resolving this. We have to shove this in their face. In addition, I am concerned that the installation of a non factory (non approved) battery by an owner could create sufficient cause for them to deny warranty coverage for anything related to an electrical issue.

That was my thinking too when I was having issues on my EcoBoost. Problem is, I have no time or patience to deal with their B.S. I bought the cheapest AGM battery on the market after I had two Motorcraft batteries fail in less than 2 years and it's been going strong for 10 months now.

 

[colinl]

if you have other Ford dealerships within a reasonable drive (30-60 minutes), call them, ask to speak to the service manager, and tell them your issue and frustration. challenge them to fix what their competitor cannot.

 

[Matso]

That's a reasonable idea. I'll keep that in my pocket and if frustration builds to a certain point I may have to do that.

 

[Builder]

That was my thinking too when I was having issues on my EcoBoost. Problem is, I have no time or patience to deal with their B.S. I bought the cheapest AGM battery on the market after I had two Motorcraft batteries fail in less than 2 years and it's been going strong for 10 months now.

The 12v battery issue in hybrids can become a very personal choice. I also get the warranty issue and Ford’s responsibility but, they have been largely unable to solve this issue for three years now with no end in sight. I also purchased the AC Delco LN1 AGM from Rock Auto and I could swear that the hybrid Mav just operates better and more consistently with an AGM which is consistent with the hybrid software setting. All my deep sleep/ dome/ courtesy light issues disappeared. The AGM charges at 14.6 to 14.8v and consistently rests at 12.8v to 13.0v ….. right where it should be. I just don’t have the time and patience to deal with the dealership on an unsupported issue. Hope the OP finds the path that works best for them to resolve this frustrating problem.

 

[HeyBales]

That unexpected not so parasitic draw is what would concern me getting another battery in your situation. Seems like it would just repeat.

Since other threads have pointed out Ford seems to have a routine to deep dive into this - sure seems like 3 days of testing (required charge up, BCM reset, next day test, repeat) should be entirely possible for some quick comments from them.
At this point it's not even a matter of having a "hybrid specialists" I'd argue (incase that is their comment regarding time) - as this issue could occur on anything, at least the higher troubleshooting is just modules unplugged it seems.
If it got to a charging issue - fine someone with hybrid skill might be needed.

 

[Matso]

I completely understand all of that and I have no doubt the AGM solved your problem. So much so I called my service advisor earlier today to suggest we find a way to lobby for a deal to actually get an AMG installed, at least in part with assistance from Ford. I know that sounds crazy but you never know until you try. Before that conversation took off however, he assured me the battery checks out just fine. It does accept and hold a charge. But when connected, the state of charge begins to drop dramatically. He now believes a particular controller that is responsible for managing this is misinterpreting the feedback data. He's waiting on the Ford engineer to supply him with a specific software update/patch to recode that. It's all above my pay grade but it sounds reasonable. Afterall, we're just driving computers on wheels these days. I am optimistic but I still reserve a fair amount of skepticism.

 

[colinl]

I completely understand all of that and I have no doubt the AGM solved your problem. So much so I called my service advisor earlier today to suggest we find a way to lobby for a deal to actually get an AMG installed, at least in part with assistance from Ford. I know that sounds crazy but you never know until you try. Before that conversation took off however, he assured me the battery checks out just fine. It does accept and hold a charge. But when connected, the state of charge begins to drop dramatically. He now believes a particular controller that is responsible for managing this is misinterpreting the feedback data. He's waiting on the Ford engineer to supply him with a specific software update/patch to recode that. It's all above my pay grade but it sounds reasonable. Afterall, we're just driving computers on wheels these days. I am optimistic but I still reserve a fair amount of skepticism.

Last I checked, Ford/Motorcraft does not (yet?) have an AGM battery in the size the Maverick uses.

 

[Jah.]

There is a software update recall that is suppose to solve the battery problem . Don't hold your breath . There were some mavericks that came with AGM batteries .

 

[Scott Asheville]

OP, just to be sure you touched all bases... Ask the service manager if they install a vehicle tracker on the diagnostics port. Better yet, don't trust them. Look yourself. It's pretty obvious. You can search for "tracker" on MTC for details.

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