Hybrid +12V Battery Replacement

[HeyBales]

Here's a thought, could how fast the power-off drain occurs be related to how the truck is locked? - Pressing 'Lock' on the door before closing, touching the handle, or using the remote. My suspicion is that different locking methods affect how long the electronics remain powered on, and the factory battery doesn't have much of a reserve capacity.

I've sort of noticed something or think I have, and don't want to contaminate the results with what I've possibly seen, but how do you lock your truck, and are you getting the deep-sleep or battery conservation messages in Ford Pass?

Considering the base security system requires key fob lock to arm - that's an interesting difference.
So internal sensors, key sensors, ect all enabled when fob locked only.

From the manual under Security, other pages describe everything else going on when armed:
ARMING THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM SYSTEM

The alarm is ready to arm when you switch your vehicle off.
Lock your vehicle with your remote control to arm the alarm.

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[HeyBales]

If you press the lock button on the remote twice it honks once after locking then unlocking then locking (verification that all doors and hood are shut and locked. Then it powers off the 12v circuits immediately without the delay off. If the horn honks twice that is to inform you that one of doors or hood or something else (?) Is not completely shut etc.

On my 24MY I can fob lock, look thru window at a USB charging port plugged into power port that has a light on it (and barely see light on OBD adapter), and it'll remain lit for longer than I care to stand there and watch.
Perhaps that one is left on though compared to rest of the 12v systems.
Considering I've left a phone plugged in for charging at almost 30%, and the next morning it's almost 100% - I'm guessing it kept power to the port for the 90 min often commented on.

 

[HeyBales]

FWIW

My stock 12v battery was going 65% day 55% overnight - 65% day (with driving) - 55% night (just sitting).

I pulled fuse under passenger footwell for telecom. Now battery stays 65% charged both day and night. Not great, but measurable difference.

Interesting. ATT network used for that comm channel, right?
I wonder if the WiFi is connected it'll use that instead?

A cellular device will usually work hardest (meaning energy use) looking for a connection frequently, harder trying to improve signal quality perhaps switching between frequencies available, and least power if it's a great connection.

Since the truck system is setup for being reached remotely as needed & quickly (as opposed to a device that just sends out updates on a schedule opening a cell connection when needed), it has to keep that cell connection up with some keep-alives.

I don't use ATT to know how good the signal is at home & work, I might ask a friend that does to run by.

I'm going to re-enable the truck Wifi, and watch for some usage on that connection when I go to access some remote info like TPMS or OLM/Odometer or location.
I'm hoping all that is sent when truck is turned off, and only updated if you access it on FordPass.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

On my 24MY I can fob lock, look thru window at a USB charging port plugged into power port that has a light on it (and barely see light on OBD adapter), and it'll remain lit for longer than I care to stand there and watch.
Perhaps that one is left on though compared to rest of the 12v systems.
Considering I've left a phone plugged in for charging at almost 30%, and the next morning it's almost 100% - I'm guessing it kept power to the port for the 90 min often commented on.

Yes it stays active for whichever delay time has been selected (up to 90 minutes) or until the 12volt drops to (if I remember correctly) 12.1 volts where it will be turned off by battery saver. That is why the manual reccomends to not leave anything plugged in when truck is off.

 

[HeyBales]

I'm going to re-enable the truck Wifi, and watch for some usage on that connection when I go to access some remote info like TPMS or OLM/Odometer or location.
I'm hoping all that is sent when truck is turned off, and only updated if you access it on FordPass.

Wifi connection not used for the Fordpass app data from what I see when you ask for current info, because as soon as truck turns off, the router doesn't see the device connected. Still sees my old phone I've left in there though.
Now, perhaps on auto-update it'll enable itself at night and check real quick, depending on frequency of that, but ATT network used for the other data.

 

[Darnon]

Similar to this - but where are the contacts for our DCDC Conv?

The DCDC output post is near the brake reservoir, but where it connects to the under hood junction box is more accessible:

 

[melnycm]

I purchased my Hybrid 12 months ago and it has 9000 'almost trouble free' miles on it. Like many, I've been plagued with the 12 volt issue deep sleep issue for the last 7-8 months which generally manifests itself with no interior lights. The truck has never failed to start or left me stranded. The last straw was Sunday when my wife and adult daughter went to get in the truck at night and asked me why Mavericks don't have interior lights.... LOL

When the deep sleep issues start, checking the pins under the hood generally show about 11.4V and I've recharged the battery (with a high quality charger) many times, but the problem always returns. What's interesting is that my original battery would charge right back up generally within a hour....

I just hated the thought of dealing with the dealership, I know the truck would sit there for a week, probably come back with door dings and scuffs, the dealer would try to blame it on something else, etc., etc... so I decided to swap batteries at my cost, know the swap was done correctly and at least rule a bad battery out of the equation. I was also worried about getting a new, bad Motorcraft battery which would only compound the issue.

So, I spent the $220 on a new Diehard Gold with a manufacture date of last month and installed it. It's specs are exactly the same as the original Motorcraft, has the same exact provision for the vent tube, and was a perfect fit. I put it on the charger for 5 minutes to get it to 100% and swapped it.

Changing the battery on this truck is a little bit of a PITA, trying to hold the cables back, bent over, getting the hold down bracket and bolt in position and bolt started, etc... The only tool needed is a 10mm socket and a long extension (for both the hold down bolt and the cable clamp nuts). WHEN you drop the hold down bolt next to the battery (and you will, LOL) it will slide out of site and you'll need to get something to fish it back out.

When finished, I opened the door and the light came on. LOL. I went through the Battery Sensor Reset procedure with the high beam lights and brake pedal, locked the doors and exited and will let it sit overnight per the manual. I'll take a better close-up pic of the battery tomorrow, but it's shown with my Nicad emergency charger (never used thankfully)

I checked the 12V cable under the hood months ago and never felt any play or movement, however I did not cut back the insulation to check for a cold solder joint on the terminal. If nothing else, this should rule out a battery issue.

More to come

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Me too. Dead after just 13 mos. No interior lights? I didn’t get any light, sound, notta! Had to use key to get in. Dealer doesn’t know why as battery checked fine of course. They wanted to keep the truck and run more tests once it dies. I guess we’ll see if buddy is actually correct that it’s party due to all the communication the truck does with the app on my phone. Wasn’t leaving my phone of course so this should b a good test. Will update. Another guy recommended buying a good AGM battery replacement. More expensive but superior from all accts. Shouldn’t have to do that with a brand new truck. I’ve turned off the wifi and will next try shutting off the app. Another recommendation is pulling fuse 11 fm px side interior box. Will have to decide on that once I know what all it connects to. Started loving this truck. Not so much now. I digress sorry.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

...Another recommendation is pulling fuse 11 fm px side interior box. Will have to decide on that once I know what all it connects to...

Fuse# 11 only powers the Telematics unit and nothing else. Pulling it will do nothing but disable the modem. No check engine lights or nag screens, etc. I pulled fuse 11 long ago and I've had no issues regarding that. I've also never had any battery issues in the 15,000 miles I've driven my truck.

 

[melnycm]

Fuse# 11 only powers the Telematics unit and nothing else. Pulling it will do nothing but disable the modem. No check engine lights or nag screens, etc. I pulled fuse 11 long ago and I've had no issues regarding that. I've also never had any battery issues in the 15,000 miles I've driven my truck.

Thx Ozark, I will definitely try this simple thing first and hopefully won’t have to buy a $300 battery.

 

[scotty]

Not sure if relevant, but my car was "dead" and need to be jump after only 6 months. Dealer replaced the battery automatically upon inspection.

did you take car in with battery within it?
Did they replace it for you or did you need to install yourself?
Was labor paid for as well as battery?

 

[scotty]

Advance and autozone installs the battery free

Did they do it for you actually?
I read on line at their cite about 5 mths ago that they don't do free replace if its in another location then under the hood, which of course hybrid isn't

 

[scotty]

Did you ever find the cause of your dead batteries?

My 2023 hybrid has been at the dealership 5 times for dead 12v batteries. They cannot find the cause of it because the issue is intermittent. Sometimes it can sit for days without dying, or times it dies within 12hrs of being parked.

what finally happened to the battery ability to start the car?
Are you on the original battery? do you have to jump it on ocassion?

 

[scotty]

Mine has been 11.9 ish for more than 3 or 4 months.

So it's not getting much worse, at least not quickly.

Could it be as simple as one bad cell of the six?

Did you battery finally become a lost cause and you replaced it yourself or get one from Ford dealer under warranty? If you got it under warranty, is it the dealer responsibility to do the labor?

 

[scotty]

Picked up the Duralast Gold T4 today. Installed and reset the BMS. Hopefully this solves the Deep Sleep for me!

$191 at Advanced Auto. Online showed $215 and in-store showed $225. I asked about the difference, and they applied a 15% off discount, not complaining.

Did they do the install free of charge?
How is the new battery doing? It looks like a year later for you.

 

[scotty]

Ford / Dealer is not going to replace my battery even though the meter shows 11.9 volts. Reason: "Because it starts just fine."

Well ya, because it starts from the high voltage battery.

Did your battery finally go completely dead and you needed it replaced? What happened?

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