Ford and Lincoln Battery Management Systems

[jeepgrady]

Yesterday, I received the BATTERY SAVER MODE notice on both my 23 Maverick as well as my 22 Lincoln Corsair. Since I'm retired and own various vehicles, I don't drive each one daily.
I hooked up my charger to both. The Maverick showed 50% and the Corsair showed 60%. Obviously, I'll charge them both to 100%.

I don't need to hear that there are various electronic components in all modern vehicles that have a constant draw on the battery. I'm totally aware of that. I have and still own vehicles from other manufacturers such as Jeep, Buick, Chevy, GMC that never had this issue.

Anyone have any knowledge as to what Ford is doing wrong?

Thanks for your feedback.

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[Packer Bill]

I agree with you...Ford's BMS sucks. I have to use my battery tender at least once a week. I should not have to do this. Look around this forum...many threads about the battery/BMS problems with both the hybrid and ecoboost.

 

[NedF]

My Saturn Vue has a battery drain issue that is most prevalent when either the battery is low quality or nearing the end of life. Sitting 2 days is enough to have it refuse to even try starting even though I can see headlights and the radio works etc. I don’t have my Mav yet but I won’t mind a heads up on the app to put it on the charger if it’s not a constant thing.

 

[OleFordGuy]

Luckly I've had Zero issues/recalls with my EB version, but i have seen some post with the issue on EB most the majority seem to be on hybrid. I'm no mechanic but the "opinion" I've reached from reading all the different threads is a lot of it may be more of a software programming thing - due to reading post like it was set to charge to 40-50 % at factory and dealer set it to high 90's-100 % as an example. However there have been post where hardware, cables, fuses were replaced. Who knows? It's pretty apparent though that ford doesn't seem to know or care. Seems the issue has appeared it each model year 22-24. But then there's lots of hybrid and eb owners that don't have the issue. Complete mystery. Maybe it's whoever's part supplier happens to be in the bin while being built. Based on the various recalls/TSB's etc I've seen posted it doesn't give a good impression that Ford's Quality Control department is working well - severely lacking. Good Luck on a resolution.

 

[Packer Bill]

Luckly I've had Zero issues/recalls with my EB version, but i have seen some post with the issue on EB most the majority seem to be on hybrid. I'm no mechanic but the "opinion" I've reached from reading all the different threads is a lot of it may be more of a software programming thing - due to reading post like it was set to charge to 40-50 % at factory and dealer set it to high 90's-100 % as an example. However there have been post where hardware, cables, fuses were replaced. Who knows? It's pretty apparent though that ford doesn't seem to know or care. Seems the issue has appeared it each model year 22-24. But then there's lots of hybrid and eb owners that don't have the issue. Complete mystery. Maybe it's whoever's part supplier happens to be in the bin while being built. Based on the various recalls/TSB's etc I've seen posted it doesn't give a good impression that Ford's Quality Control department is working well - severely lacking. Good Luck on a resolution.

OleFordGuy, I think your comments here are spot on and an excellent summary of the battery drain issue. I am hoping for a definitive solution from Ford but I am not holding my breath.

 

[bbhaag]

Yeah I don't get it either. Why is this such an issue across Ford and Lincolns fleet and has been for so long? I don't have any insight into why this continues to happen but it's frustrating for sure.

 

[wax87]

I guess the real question would be: how long does it need to sit before the battery gets drained?
Obviously it is way too short but still, it would be a good data point to share with Ford.

 

[Skyline]

I guess the real question would be: how long does it need to sit before the battery gets drained?
Obviously it is way too short but still, it would be a good data point to share with Ford.

The problem with the data point is that it is a moving target. It depends on the type of battery (AGM, flooded, etc..), average daily driving distance, quality of the modules within the charging system, maximum charge level in the software, etc.

My2023 Lariat with AGM battery had not been started for ten days in past August, but started up just fine. On the other hand, the auto stop/start disabled by the system due to weak battery with low charge level. That's actually the first sign that points to an issue with the battery/charging. Occasionally, the auto start/stop works, but hard to predict when it will work. Other than after charging the battery, it'll work for couple of days and then it stops again.

Yes, it would be great to get the data point to share with Ford, but there are too many variables. Then there's the fact that most people will never have this issue. It's just not easy....

 

[fossil]

My 2 cents. Since deep sleep is a issue to some when it happened to me I took my plugin battery/USB outlet out of the RV and into the Mav. It read 11.79V and when started it ramped up to 15.17V where it stayed despite turning on every high draw accessory available. After turning everything off I drove 20 miles only using Android Auto music, after shutting off it ticked down to 12.35V at rest. Minutes after returning to the house again got the deep sleep message.

Once in sleep the battery holds in the high 11v range for 3 days, the longest I've let it rest. That's telling me the battery is ok despite the message on Ford Pass -

"during your last visit to your Ford dealer your service technician identified your battery is in the red zone. This means it's urgent you replace your battery as soon as possible."

Had I actually visited the dealer it might be a valid message but doubtful at this point. imo something disabled by deep sleep is dragging the battery down when "awake". I've got to go out today so will disable something in Ford Pass and see what happens.

 

[Packer Bill]

Once in sleep the battery holds in the high 11v range for 3 days, the longest I've let it rest. That's telling me the battery is ok despite the message on Ford Pass -

Having your battery in the high 11 volt range is not good for your battery. If the battery is 12.1-12.2 volt, it is 50% discharged. Your battery degrades a lot faster if your battery is discharged more than 50%. This one of the reasons why batteries only last 3 years...

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