Battery Drain and multiple dashboard indicator lights post audio upgrade

[outothswrld]

Hello everyone, first time poster with a major problem I need help with. Bear with me as it’s bit of a story.

Not sure if this topic has already been covered, but I have owned my 2025 Hybrid XLT for just over a month now (October 1st) and decided to upgrade the audio system (front component speakers, kicker key amp, rear coaxials and a kicker hideaway sub). Due to many of the potential power drain issues I had read about I was careful in relaying specific installation instructions to the audio installer. Everything was working great without a hiccup for 2 weeks when I noticed the right rear speaker was not getting any power. Long story short I took it back, and he fixed the issue.

On the ride back home, however, I noticed the battery warning light, then noticed a seatbelt sensor light as well. When I arrived home, it appeared the truck would not fully power down and there was a constant clicking/ticking sound coming from the engine bay near the high voltage battery. When I tried powering the truck on again it would not power on the engine, only accessory power. I tried troubleshooting as best I could before resulting to getting the 12v battery tested at my local autozone. The battery is fine at 94% charge. Luckily when I reconnected the battery everything powered back on, along with some new dashboard warning lights, “service engine soon” and “reduced power.” I drove it down to my installer as quickly as I could to get it checked out.

While he was checking it out the same issues with the battery drain and warning lights happened. He powered it down and the ticking sound from the engine happened again. I should note that on the drive over to him I noticed a loss of engine power whenever I stepped on the gas. I also noticed that my MPGs took a hit from 38+ to about 30 during that drive. He did a thorough assessment and concluded the install was not causing any power issues. When I powered the car on everything appeared to go back to normal with exception the “service engine soon” light. No other issues and the engine power and MPGs went back to normal. Needless to say I was left with no choice but to take into Ford today.

Any ideas and what the issue might be? My biggest concern is that they will null the warranty due to the audio system upgrade and I will be stuck with a bill. Especially this being a brand new truck Happy to report back on what they say, but any help from y’all is greatly appreciated!

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[OleFordGuy]

No idea. Sounds like a big cluster **** of a screwup. Good Luck

 

[DWV]

It is kind of obvious that the audio upgrade was not done correctly and is the problem.
Have the installer disconnect every wire he added and the problem will likely go away.
Then go to to a different installer!

 

[rallyshark]

My first thought was they wired up the amp using signal sensing, instead of running a dedicated turn on leade. Signal sensing amps will power on anytime the truck does anything(like open a door, etc.), because these trucks send voltage through the speaker wires even when there is no audio. In other words using signal sensing power on will kill a Maverick battery sooner or later usually. However, given the battery is showing 94%, I don't know. That is, assuming the battery test is legit. Either way, I would get the installer to set things up with a turn on leade, and disable the signal sensing on the key amp/sub.

One of the rear speakers going out is kind of common when installing aftermarket speakers, due to clearance issues. Sometimes the connectors on the speakers can come loose or even ground on the chassis. I've seen that happen to a few people, myself included.

Long story short, probably an issue with the install. I would disconnect the power wires of amp/sub and see if the problem goes away. You won't have any tunes, but it should tell you if that's the issue.

 

[outothswrld]

Thank you for the replies. Turns it out it was just a loose battery cable So best news I could have received. Everything is up and working properly again

 

[DWV]

So much for a "thorough evaluation" - guys seldom find problems in their own work!
Just shoddy or rushed install on the audio guy- or did he not touch the battery itself?

 

[OleFordGuy]

Thank you for the replies. Turns it out it was just a loose battery cable So best news I could have received. Everything is up and working properly again

Awesome lucky fella!!!! Now go by yourself a lottery ticket, with your luck you could win

 

[outothswrld]

So much for a "thorough evaluation" - guys seldom find problems in their own work!
Just shoddy or rushed install on the audio guy- or did he not touch the battery itself?

I will double check the dealer paperwork, but I have a hunch it was maybe the high voltage battery because I personally tightened down the 12v battery after I got it checked. My guess is he went under the hood looking for the battery, even though I explained to him where the battery was to begin with But, like I said just a hunch.

 

[outothswrld]

So much for a "thorough evaluation" - guys seldom find problems in their own work!
Just shoddy or rushed install on the audio guy- or did he not touch the battery itself?

I returned to the audio and explained to the installer what Ford said, He said he didn’t touch the battery. Now I’m curious where he pulled the power from He made several connections to the fuse box under the glove compartment. The kicker key amp is stowed away in a cavity in the front part of center console on the passenger’s side, and the kicker hideaway is behind the back seat where the ugly B&O “subwoofer” bracket used to be. However, unlike most installs I’ve seen here, it is sitting vertically. All the cables are running down the passenger side, including a remote turn-on wire. I seen an inline fuse for the kicker hideaway somewhere near the fuse box too.

To his credit though, everything works flawlessly without power drain now that the dealer corrected the issue. The system turns off when I turn off the ignition and nothing powers on until the ignition is powered.

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