Battery failing?

[IdahoRanger]

Had "The Works" done last week and they said my original battery measured 559 CCA down from 800. Probably on it's way out.

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[NoTacos]

Had that message a couple of times when I first got the truck. I thought it was the USB key with my music plugged in that was doing some weird battery draw. But hasn’t happened again. Not sure why.

Now something unrelated to our Rangers but has to do with Ford’s BMS. So far I think the consensus is if the ASS isn’t working anymore your battery is probably on the way out. In our 2018 escape with 112k km the ASS stopped working. Of course my wife never noticed this and couldn’t recall when it might have started happening after I point it out. So I am thinking okay the battery needs replacement sometime soon.
I take the escape last night to drive my daughter to dance and then I go to Home Depot. Hey what else are you going to do for 1 1/2 hours waiting. I leave Home Depot store and get in the car. I try to stick my key in and it seemed like the ignition was turned the wrong way. Okay - I am thinking maybe I just didn’t notice this before cause I don’t drive the Escape much. I go to try and turn the key - no can’t turn it. I thought - WTF - did I break the ignition somehow. I try again - can’t turn the key. Then I tried to lock the car with my key FOB - nothing. Can’t make the panic button work. Great the battery died right there and then on me. Seriously.
Pondered it for a bit and then - crap I had tried to start the car with my ranger keys. Reach into other pocket and bam - there’s the escape keys. It started and didn’t need to replace the battery - at least last night I didn’t! I was such an idiot?

 

[Ranger Roger]

I’ve had ASS issues since day 1. Took it into Ford for recalls and told them about it. Tech checked the 10 or so requirements for the system to work and all were ok. Baffled so they were to contact Ford Engineers before my next appt. Then Tech quit and his “notes” could not be accessed!! Crazy stuff.

Now I drive with ASS diagnostic open in the screen. Lately all it says is Battery Charging. Ok after 2 hours of short trips around town today and then the 10 mile drive home, it still said Charging. Ridiculous!!

Popped hood and checked Battery volts with truck OFF—12.45. Started truck and checked Battery volts—14.81. I would think that charging at 14.81 would bring the battery Volts higher and enable the ASS.

Thoughts? Stress test the battery??

 

[NoTacos]

I’ve had ASS issues since day 1. Took it into Ford for recalls and told them about it. Tech checked the 10 or so requirements for the system to work and all were ok. Baffled so they were to contact Ford Engineers before my next appt. Then Tech quit and his “notes” could not be accessed!! Crazy stuff.

Now I drive with ASS diagnostic open in the screen. Lately all it says is Battery Charging. Ok after 2 hours of short trips around town today and then the 10 mile drive home, it still said Charging. Ridiculous!!

Popped hood and checked Battery volts with truck OFF—12.45. Started truck and checked Battery volts—14.81. I would think that charging at 14.81 would bring the battery Volts higher and enable the ASS.

Thoughts? Stress test the battery??

That sucks the tech quit and no one can read his notes.
I certainly am the wrong guy to give any advice. I tried starting my car with the truck keys.

 

[Bsthroop]

I’ve had ASS issues since day 1. Took it into Ford for recalls and told them about it. Tech checked the 10 or so requirements for the system to work and all were ok. Baffled so they were to contact Ford Engineers before my next appt. Then Tech quit and his “notes” could not be accessed!! Crazy stuff.

Now I drive with ASS diagnostic open in the screen. Lately all it says is Battery Charging. Ok after 2 hours of short trips around town today and then the 10 mile drive home, it still said Charging. Ridiculous!!

Popped hood and checked Battery volts with truck OFF—12.45. Started truck and checked Battery volts—14.81. I would think that charging at 14.81 would bring the battery Volts higher and enable the ASS.

Thoughts? Stress test the battery??

I would charge it for a day and see if that fixes it. Sounds like you don't drive very long and it may not be fully charging. Long term fixes for the BMS are to up the charge % to 90% with Forscan and add a battery maintainer to keep the battery topped off. Particularly important if you don't drive a lot.

 

[airline tech]

I’ve had ASS issues since day 1. Took it into Ford for recalls and told them about it. Tech checked the 10 or so requirements for the system to work and all were ok. Baffled so they were to contact Ford Engineers before my next appt. Then Tech quit and his “notes” could not be accessed!! Crazy stuff.

Now I drive with ASS diagnostic open in the screen. Lately all it says is Battery Charging. Ok after 2 hours of short trips around town today and then the 10 mile drive home, it still said Charging. Ridiculous!!

Popped hood and checked Battery volts with truck OFF—12.45. Started truck and checked Battery volts—14.81. I would think that charging at 14.81 would bring the battery Volts higher and enable the ASS.

Thoughts? Stress test the battery??

You have to take everything you were ever knew about charging systems and batteries from older vehicles and throw it away, I am still learning this annoying system myself but remember that the BMS keeps battery voltage at 70% or 75% (SOC)

I am researching exactly the Battery Voltage (Minimum) ASS is disabled, but cannot locate that spec.

This is a chart I found on Google; I do not know how accurate it is

 

[Todd Chapin]

Interesting thead. Lots of good info. I recently replaced my 3 year+ battery due to all the symptoms listed here. Everything is back to normal now.

 

[dtech]

Time to simply and get rid of this bms stuff, bring back the AC Delco Live Eye , it kept an eye on itself.

didn't need no bms
older batteries started great
500 cca pulled their weight
green eye always told me straight
those were the days

 

[Caliope]

I just got my second new warranty battery in my '19. I will be setting up a trickle charger to mine and getting a cable so that I can change the Forscan setting. I know that mine is due to not driving it enough - only 9500 on the odometer. I am also experiencing the same issues with my '22 Bronco Sport. It was doing fine until I used the heated seats/steering wheel a couple of weeks ago. When I got home tonight, I put it on the trickle charger, which said the battery was at 45%. I think I see a new battery in my future for it as well.

 

[Wings06j]

Anyone know how accurate the noco genius2 battery percentage is? I only got the 2 amp one to keep it to a slow charge and because it was on sale. I plugged it in and it's saying my battery is around 25%. Reason I'm doubting it is that it says it's capable of 40Ah batteries and the ford one is an 80Ah. I haven't had any issues starting the truck, just no auto start stop lately. Also from what I could find the stock battery is AGM so that's the mode I put it in. Someone message me quick if that's wrong.

Update: left the charger on for 2 hours and when I came back it was showing fully charged. Pulled out the multi meter and was showing 12.6 volts, up from 12.1 when I started. I guess the battery wasn't as drained as I thought. I'll test again in the morning to see how it held up overnight.

Update 2: after sitting over night the battery tested at 12.2 volts.

 

[ronranger]

Had the same messages on ford pass as the OP, checked the batt with amp meter read 11.6, took it to the dealer for a weeks worth of wasting my time . when I first took to the dealer I told him the guys on the forum said usually it's the battery. long story,short, it was the battery. ford dealers in Tulsa suck. All of them! Oh ass stopped working is what started all this cp.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Think I've got the first signs of my battery going south

2nd unrelated I've found a 14eee foot causes a engine power reduced error due to breaking. This foot size easily hits both the gas and brake pedels.

Greg, I had a similar thing happen with a pair of big winter boots - was braking for a crosswalk and as the brake pedal got lower, the outside edge of my boot started to press on the accelerator pedal, revving the engine and lurching forward as I pressed down harder on the gas, which was making things worse but not really knowing that in the moment. It seemed as if my truck was possessed. I got it stopped and in park but not before scaring the pants off me and the people in the crosswalk.

After thinking about it and moving my normal foot position, I realized it wasn’t my truck. I tossed the boots when I got home but I guess you’re stuck with those 14eee feet.

 

[BryanJay]

Greg, I had a similar thing happen with a pair of big winter boots - was braking for a crosswalk and as the brake pedal got lower, the outside edge of my boot started to press on the accelerator pedal, revving the engine and lurching forward as I pressed down harder on the gas, which was making things worse but not really knowing that in the moment. It seemed as if my truck was possessed. I got it stopped and in park but not before scaring the pants off me and the people in the crosswalk.

After thinking about it and moving my normal foot position, I realized it wasn’t my truck. I tossed the boots when I got home but I guess you’re stuck with those 14eee feet.

I had almost the exact same thing happen, ironically enough on my test drive…. went to stop leaving the dealer’s lot and ended up jerking forward into the street, good thing nobody was coming. Not a peep from the sales guy in back either. Happened again a few days later, and I found that I was used to covering the gas and rotating my foot to hit the brake when needed. The Ranger really doesn’t like that…. seems to be way too easy to hit both pedals especially with big old Canadian winter boots. Changed my foot positioning and never looked back.

 

[Ranger Roger]

Had the same messages on ford pass as the OP, checked the batt with amp meter read 11.6, took it to the dealer for a weeks worth of wasting my time . when I first took to the dealer I told him the guys on the forum said usually it's the battery. long story,short, it was the battery. ford dealers in Tulsa suck. All of them! Oh ass stopped working is what started all this cp.

Does anyone know what Voltage is required to activate the ASS? The Manual says it only has to satisfy the Voltage Requirement.

I still have to charge mine and do a test drive.

 

[Rp930]

Mine made it 3 1/2 years. Same issues noted above. Replaced it today. All good now. Forgot how often start/stop activated with a good battery.

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