Battery dies, but only when doors left open for 10 min.

[Ursulet3#]

Recently my ranger's battery dies after 5-10 min with the doors open. Battery tested fine and is only 1.5 years old. The rest of the time it starts fine. Oh, when it dies it tries to crank but want start and it keeps cranking even when the key is released! Any ideas?

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[Jacky_2275]

Recently my ranger's battery dies after 5-10 min with the doors open. Battery tested fine and is only 1.5 years old. The rest of the time it starts fine. Oh, when it dies it tries to crank but want start and it keeps cranking even when the key is released! Any ideas?

That's a puzzling issue! Based on your description, here are some potential causes:

Electrical System

1. -Parasitic drain. There might be an accessory or system drawing power from the battery when the doors are open, causing the battery to drain quickly.
2. -Faulty door switch. A malfunctioning door switch could be keeping the interior lights or other accessories on, leading to excessive battery drain.

Starting System

1. -Faulty starter motor. The starter motor might be malfunctioning, causing it to continue cranking even after the key is released.
2. -Bad starter solenoid. A faulty starter solenoid could be causing the starter motor to remain engaged.

Battery and Charging System

1. -Battery not holding charge. Although the battery tested fine, it's possible that it's not holding a charge properly, leading to the drain issue.
2. -Alternator not charging. The alternator might not be charging the battery sufficiently, causing the battery to drain quickly.

Other Possibilities:

1. -Alarm system or aftermarket accessories. If you have an aftermarket alarm system or other accessories, they might be causing the issue.
2. -Wiring or electrical issues. There could be a wiring or electrical issue that's causing the problem.

To troubleshoot further, you may want to:

1. Use a multimeter to check the battery voltage and alternator output.
2. Inspect the electrical system, including wiring and connections, for any signs of damage or corrosion.
3. Check the starter motor and solenoid for any signs of malfunction.
4. Consider having a professional mechanic take a closer look to help diagnose the issue.

 

[Msfitoy]

That's a puzzling issue! Based on your description, here are some potential causes:

Electrical System

1. -Parasitic drain. There might be an accessory or system drawing power from the battery when the doors are open, causing the battery to drain quickly.
2. -Faulty door switch. A malfunctioning door switch could be keeping the interior lights or other accessories on, leading to excessive battery drain.

Starting System

1. -Faulty starter motor. The starter motor might be malfunctioning, causing it to continue cranking even after the key is released.
2. -Bad starter solenoid. A faulty starter solenoid could be causing the starter motor to remain engaged.

Battery and Charging System

1. -Battery not holding charge. Although the battery tested fine, it's possible that it's not holding a charge properly, leading to the drain issue.
2. -Alternator not charging. The alternator might not be charging the battery sufficiently, causing the battery to drain quickly.

Other Possibilities:

1. -Alarm system or aftermarket accessories. If you have an aftermarket alarm system or other accessories, they might be causing the issue.
2. -Wiring or electrical issues. There could be a wiring or electrical issue that's causing the problem.

To troubleshoot further, you may want to:

1. Use a multimeter to check the battery voltage and alternator output.
2. Inspect the electrical system, including wiring and connections, for any signs of damage or corrosion.
3. Check the starter motor and solenoid for any signs of malfunction.
4. Consider having a professional mechanic take a closer look to help diagnose the issue.

Or, his battery is dying and needs to be replaced??‍

 

[Jacky_2275]

Or, his battery is dying and needs to be replaced??‍

yes, but my opinionis, he needs to find the cause first

 

[Rp930]

What is the battery voltage when this happens?

 

[RangerBill]

If battery was bad, the engine wouldn't continue to crank.

 

[airline tech]

I don't know how you are testing the battery, but the symptoms show a dead cell, and it cannot produce reserve power.
The starter is staying engaged due to the fact it's not seeing the CPS input (minimum rotation) for a start and the PCM is keeping the Starter Relay engaged.
And when you switch the key to off, the Can Bus circuit has dropped so low, it does not see the ISP-R (Ing Switch Position-Run) change and hangs the starter relay.

If it's not a bad battery, then something in the Door Ajar/ Courtasy Lighting or Wake Circuit circuit is shorting and killing the battery.

I suggest a Load Test of the battery for starters and then get a meter to measure voltage draw with the door open, but for me - It's the Battery as the most likely issue as it appears to be working fine until you add a load to it.

 

[Ursulet3#]

Thanks for the help. I forgot to mention that all three problems happen at the same time, doors opened for a few minutes, slow start and keeps turning over when the key is released. Jump with a battery pack and starts with no problems for days using normally. I did find a mystery wire that I think goes to a GPS unit. (It was owned by a company when new) I disconnected it and made no difference. Ford said I would have to leave it with them for a week at least so the can check it when it acts up....

 

[got3fords]

The turning of the key to start is just a single digital signal sent to begin the start sequence. Even on a healthy battery, all you need to do is BRIEFLY turn to start and release. It will crank as long as necessary to start. Same concept on the push button start equipped vehicles.
Having said that, if something is amiss, the cranking will probably time out.

 

[Jacky_2275]

Thanks for the help. I forgot to mention that all three problems happen at the same time, doors opened for a few minutes, slow start and keeps turning over when the key is released. Jump with a battery pack and starts with no problems for days using normally. I did find a mystery wire that I think goes to a GPS unit. (It was owned by a company when new) I disconnected it and made no difference. Ford said I would have to leave it with them for a week at least so the can check it when it acts up....

What would I do? I would buy a new battery, and if the problem persists, I would return it. But first, I would ask if returns are allowed. In Canada, most retailers have a flexible return policy. I'm not sure about the policies in the USA, though.

 

[Msfitoy]

yes, but my opinionis, he needs to find the cause first

In my case, it was be-cause my battery wouldn't hold charge anymore be-cause everything was good until it wasn't be-cause it was dying...so I replaced it...but to your point, I wasn't able to find the cause for the battery going bad after a few years of good service... ?

 

[Jacky_2275]

In my case, it was be-cause my battery wouldn't hold charge anymore be-cause everything was good until it wasn't be-cause it was dying...so I replaced it...but to your point, I wasn't able to find the cause for the battery going bad after a few years of good service... ?

Yes, but I don't think you had it a year and a half and it doesn't charge like Ursulet3! ?

 

[airline tech]

Thanks for the help. I forgot to mention that all three problems happen at the same time, doors opened for a few minutes, slow start and keeps turning over when the key is released. Jump with a battery pack and starts with no problems for days using normally. I did find a mystery wire that I think goes to a GPS unit. (It was owned by a company when new) I disconnected it and made no difference. Ford said I would have to leave it with them for a week at least so the can check it when it acts up....

Be more specific here:
So you have which - Door or Doors?

Is the Door or Doors open at time of event? Or opened then closed?

Have you checked the alternator output is it producing above 13.7 volts and are all battery connections tight?
Since this is intermittent I suspect a loose connection or an alternator that is not fully producing a charging voltage.
Or a issue with the Door Ajar wake circuit ( door switch) shorting to ground
Or something staying powered (intermittently) overnight and draining the battery.
Which leads to another question can you produce the same result after a short drive to store etc or does it have to be left overnight to get it, extended periods of time.

 

[Ursulet3#]

The doors are closed, alternator is 14.4. It is weird, I left the doors open at the car wash...it starts, open and close the doors to get stuff out , it won't start! It is the 4 door.

 

[Msfitoy]

Yes, but I don't think you had it a year and a half and it doesn't charge like Ursulet3! ?

<<<Joined March 5, 2019...130+K miles...one battery + one transmission...?

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