Changing to AGM

[JimInWI]

Great points on what should have been done. Got me curious if they spec AGM on their other hybrids - the ones without the stupid management system.

It is my understanding that those who use OBDII to modify settings say the BMS is expecting an AGM. Why did they put flooded ones in? Supply chain issues? No idea. My guess is putting an AGM in wouldn’t have increased the purchase price by more then $100.

I do know that I swapped my flooded for an AGM after reading multiple posts here, after encountering my own sleep issues after 5 months, and monitoring the flooded battery voltage. My battery fully charged faster, (I do only short local drives with the truck, one of the reasons I got a hybrid) and it maintains a charge much longer when sitting. I also don’t have to worry about stratification and other issues that others encounter with the flooded batteries. There are some folks who use battery chargers/conditioners religiously and on a set time frame to keep the flooded battery in good shape.

For me, it just seemed cheaper and more reasonable to put in an AGM that the truck supposedly wants. My experience with the AGM so far seems to justify my decision, but in reality, only time will tell.

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[CurtisB]

I was constantly getting Deep Sleep and Battery Saver messages on my 2024 Lariat Hybrid. 2-3 a week. Its 9 month old, 7k miles. Heading into winter and i don't want issues So I bit-the-bullet and bought a EverStart H5 AGM from Walmart. I've had it a few weeks now, no problems.

Till today. The truck sat in my garage for 5 days while I was out of town. No battery saver messages. I opened the door and no dome lights or illumnated start button or misc dash light.. Before doing anything, I got my volt meter and tested the new AGM battery. It's at 12.7V. Opened/closed the door multiple times. No dome light. I then started the truck, let it run (no gas engine) for about 10 seconds. Opened the door, dome lights work. Tried door multiple time, dome lights still works. Has anyone experienced this or have any idea, what's going on?

One last note. I still have the original battery, in case I need to put it back in when Ford fixes the on-going battery issues. I fully charged it. Just sitting on my bench, it continues to hold a charge of 12.6V. When it was in the truck and I was getting battery saver messages, it would constantly drop to 11.7V to 12.1V

Please know that you will have no dome lights and sleep notifications even with an AGM battery. The main thing is the battery is stronger, charges back up faster, is not a flooded type, and won't sulfate. In other words, you won't be stranded with a completely dead battery.

The "sleep" notifications are built in the software and as a precaution, the truck shuts down unnecessary lights until you drive again. If the truck sits for more than 5 days, it does this to compleletly shut off things except what is necessary so nothing draws off the battery. You noted that you got your lights back after just 10 minutes. That tells you that you will be fine and your AGM battery will recieve a charge must faster and keep a charge longer.

I've had my AGM battery since May. I might get a sleep message once a month, but within minutes of driving I can stop 1 mile or 2, put over, lock it up then turn around and start it up and all the lights come on and everything is working.

You will be fine now. After 2025, we should see a software update for this issue and I saw someone posting in here that Ford is finally acknowledging the "sleep" with a flooded battery issue. Till then, you should be fine.

 

[TacoTanium]

Are you sure it's your battery??? My battery was replaced under warranty with a supposedly new AGM battery. It's been just less than 80 days and the battery haven't read 12.6v. It's hanging around 12.3v every morning now. When it was new, it was 12.6v every morning when I was monitoring it. I have an EB 24.

 

[Packer Bill]

When it was new, it was 12.6v every morning when I was monitoring it. I have an EB 24.

Is your AGM battery a Ford? My AGM battery is an Interstate and reads 13.0 volts when fully charged.

 

[HeyBales]

Is your AGM battery a Ford? My AGM battery is an Interstate and reads 13.0 volts when fully charged.

Good point.

Expecting a good quality AGM battery from Motorcraft may still be stretching hope.
And still have quicker problems compared to a good quality one.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Are you sure it's your battery??? My battery was replaced under warranty with a supposedly new AGM battery. It's been just less than 80 days and the battery haven't read 12.6v. It's hanging around 12.3v every morning now. When it was new, it was 12.6v every morning when I was monitoring it. I have an EB 24.

With the Ford BMS 8 hour battery learn procedure, as I understand it, the battery should be 100% charged at time of installation with the light flash brake press reset done, followed by the 8 hour truck locked new battery installed done ASAP! If they are not ran the BMS may be charging the new battery using the parameters for the prior battery. (Welcome to the world of computers). When I had my 23 Tremor I put my noco genius 5 on its AGM when it dropped to 12.3. it would take 3-4 days for charge and optimization to finish. I also have 16 99% pure lead 6volt 400ah batteries and they are required to be 100% charged every other cycle to get their 3,000 cycle life. So if the grid tied solar charge controller detects a not 100% day it tops batteries off with grid. Note: if they are stored (not used) in temp over 90°F for 90-120 days and voltage drops to 6.2 they have to be fully charged. (They only cost $600 new).

 

[TacoTanium]

With the Ford BMS 8 hour battery learn procedure, as I understand it, the battery should be 100% charged at time of installation with the light flash brake press reset done, followed by the 8 hour truck locked new battery installed done ASAP! If they are not ran the BMS may be charging the new battery using the parameters for the prior battery. (Welcome to the world of computers). When I had my 23 Tremor I put my noco genius 5 on its AGM when it dropped to 12.3. it would take 3-4 days for charge and optimization to finish. I also have 16 99% pure lead 6volt 400ah batteries and they are required to be 100% charged every other cycle to get their 3,000 cycle life. So if the grid tied solar charge controller detects a not 100% day it tops batteries off with grid. Note: if they are stored (not used) in temp over 90°F for 90-120 days and voltage drops to 6.2 they have to be fully charged. (They only cost $600 new).

It's hard to tell if the stealership did the reset or not after installing the new battery. I didn't know about this at that time. I will try this for my 3rd battery AND pulling the telematics fuse.

 

[TacoTanium]

Is your AGM battery a Ford? My AGM battery is an Interstate and reads 13.0 volts when fully charged.

Yes, it's ford, it has ford logo with motorcraft and p/n and everything. My battery read 12.23v this morning, lower than a few days ago which was 12.35v. 12.23v is lowest I've seen so far on this 2nd battery.

 

[MJL]

So I cleaned up and parked the maverick for a couple weeks once it went to sleep mode I charged the batter to 12.7 Because I haven't driven it has maintained 12.6 for for weeks while staying in garage. It's a shame once I start driving again and activate everything the system will drain the battery to 11.7 or less and return to sleep mode. 11.7 is bad as it creates sulfation in the battery....I hope early 2025 they get that software fix out

 

[Gonzo chris]

I don't know why so many are against getting their own AGM battery. Cost? Let me breakdown cost for me. I took the better part of a morning to bring my truck into my local dealership's service department. In my line of work, I average about $43-$50 an hour. I left my truck there. They called me 5 and half hours later to say my truck was "ready." Had to have my wife drive me back to the dealership. After about 5 hours of lost time, I was told that they couldn't test my system due to my aftermarket amplifier system I installed. They also said they charged the battery.

The next morning, the battery was completely dead and NO, it isn't becuase of my aftermarket system. I installed a kill switch that completely disconnects my amps from the battery when I leave the truck. 5 hours times $43 an hour = $215.

Cost for my AGM battery which charges and runs fine..................$215. My time is worth more to me than spending time going back and forth trying to convince a service department of my issue.

Yes, I get it. You buy a new vehicle and it should perform fine and in a wonderful world the company you bought it from will fix or find the problem that is causing you concern. That was 40 years ago. Not the norm today. There are dozens of posts in here showing the reality of what we have to deal with.

The wonderful people in MaverickTruckclub told me everything I needed to get myself out of this battery mess. And, it has been rare instances that a service department replaced the battery. And it has been rare that they replaced it with an AGM battery.

Someone already posted how such a low quality battery has been installed in the Maverick. I agree. I've seen higher CCA's in golf cart batteries.

I would argue that you are correct in your situation and also overall in regard to their poor quality work but everyone's commute is different. I live near pretty much every brand of car dealer you can name and I have the luxury of being able to drop my car off there early in the morning while at work and have a co-worker pick me up. Then get taken back at the end of the day

 

[Gonzo chris]

Ford was hoping it was enough to get it through the basic warranty. Remember it's a "cheap" made truck to keep selling price low and still pull a profit. Inflation is affecting everything and driving costs up.

I get that but that's also a little bit of an excuse. Even a cheap vehicle that they're making money on should have a battery that functions. I don't know I confess I haven't had an American car in a long time just Japanese and German so maybe that's part of it?

 

[MJL]

I get that but that's also a little bit of an excuse. Even a cheap vehicle that they're making money on should have a battery that functions. I don't know I confess I haven't had an American car in a long time just Japanese and German so maybe that's part of it?

Mini Coopers are terrible with regards to this same issue

 

[Gonzo chris]

Mini Coopers are terrible with regards to this same issue

I'll take your word on that but that doesn't make it ok

 

[CurtisB]

Gonzo Chris,

No one is going to disagree with your point of view. We all are at different places and times in our lives and based on our own experiences, have made our own decisions regarding this "new" truck.
I've decided I am going to make the best of it. Even if it costs me my own money. At nearly 67 years of age, I value more time with my family and friends. I get more of a positive experience from them.

I will stay away from the dealerships for as long as possible. I will go to them for the necessary recalls. I have a local mechanic whom I can trust for any repairs I can't do. I will look upon the trusted folks in here for advice on CV axles and anything else major that may come up.

Just like I did with my Prius, I am quietly putting away a certain amount of money in a account for any unexpected emergencies that my Maverick may thrust upon me (that aren't covered under my warranty).

I'm just doing what works for me for where I am in my life today as I am sure you are doing the same.

 

[Packer Bill]

I wonder if the MY25 Hybrid Maverick will have an AGM battery...

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