Dead Battery...Twice!

[MountainGoat]

So like most of America I've been getting some cold weather. I had to jump the battery on my 2020 Ranger last week. I went to the dealer and they gave me a new one after a 2 hour test of the old battery.

Well after a couple subzero nights it's dead again! I'm not really looking forward to sitting in the waiting room for another 2 hours. Are Ford batteries just garbage? I'm debating spending my own money for an Optima redtop or something.

Sponsored

 

[Trigganometry]

How long did you drive it after they dropped in the replacement? 20 minutes or more? Most battery’s sitting on a shelf will lose power over time. Once you drop them into service they will need a certain amount of time to top off again. Seems the Ranger uses a decent amount of power draw when not in use as it will power itself down after a certain amount of time not being started.

 

[MountainGoat]

How long did you drive it after they dropped in the replacement? 20 minutes or more?

I put a good 300 miles on it since then.

I considered starting and idling the truck the last few days to charge the battery, but that's bad for engine in super cold temps so I decided not to.

 

[gbritt89]

So like most of America I've been getting some cold weather. I had to jump the battery on my 2020 Ranger last week. I went to the dealer and they gave me a new one after a 2 hour test of the old battery.

Well after a couple subzero nights it's dead again! I'm not really looking forward to sitting in the waiting room for another 2 hours. Are Ford batteries just garbage? I'm debating spending my own money for an Optima redtop or something.

Interstate battery is what you need. My last interstate battery lasted years without a hiccup. I would also look into a battery warmer for the nights it gets below freezing if you are unable to keep it in a garage.

 

[Trigganometry]

Ya, something else is up then. 300 miles is more than enough to top off a new battery. Got to wonder where the draw is coming from to kill it.

Hate to say it but looks like some warranty work to figure out what’s causing it

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I had a bad battery in my first year. It happens, but it’s not a chronic Ranger issue. To have two batteries fail, makes me think there is something else going on. Sadly, the dealer may want to keep it overnight this time. Sucks.

 

[MountainGoat]

Hate to say it but looks like some warranty work to figure out what’s causing it

It was fine in warmer temps though. I did install a Garmin dash cam, but it turns off when the truck does. Maybe that's it...I hope.

I've only had this truck a couple months, last truck was 2006 and I'm starting to miss it now.

 

[Trigganometry]

Good idea, disconnect any aftermarket items and see if it has a positive outcome.

 

[MountainGoat]

Interstate battery is what you need. My last interstate battery lasted years without a hiccup. I would also look into a battery warmer for the nights it gets below freezing if you are unable to keep it in a garage.

I used to have battery tenders. They have a solar one now that charges though the cig lighter and sticks to the windshield, pretty cool.

 

[MountainGoat]

I had a bad battery in my first year. It happens, but it’s not a chronic Ranger issue. To have two batteries fail, makes me think there is something else going on. Sadly, the dealer may want to keep it overnight this time. Sucks.

We've been hitting -5 here lately, so I'm hoping it's just the oem is not up to severe duty.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

We've been hitting -5 here lately, so I'm hoping it's just the oem is not up to severe duty.

There are Rangers operating as daily drivers in places where it’s much colder than that for months on end. Your battery shouldn’t be giving you this kind of grief in a -5° cold spell. Something’s definitely wrong.

 

[gbritt89]

There are Rangers operating as daily drivers in places where it’s much colder than that for months on end. Your battery shouldn’t be giving you this kind of grief in a -5° cold spell. Something’s definitely wrong.

Agree with all, but if OP's truck wasnt left to rest (I think it's ten or twelve hours after a battery swap to let the BMS callibrate) or configured with their tools to account for the battery swap by the dealer that changed it, it might account for his replacement battery taking a shit already I wouldn't assume there's something doing a slow draw off the battery unless OP has mods to his truck.

 

[MountainGoat]

I have an appointment with the dealer next week. Guy on the phone said it definitely wasn't normal. I unplugged the dash cam and charged the battery (again). What a pita.

And thanks for the replies.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Agree with all, but if OP's truck wasnt left to rest (I think it's ten or twelve hours after a battery swap to let the BCM callibrate) or configured with their tools to account for the battery swap by the dealer that changed it, it might account for his replacement battery taking a shit already I wouldn't assume there's something doing a slow draw off the battery unless OP has mods to his truck.

I had a calibration issue after my replacement but it only affected the ASS, which wasn’t so bad but it did alert me to there being a problem.?

I’m not sure it’s just a slow draw on its own but if something is wrong with the BMS, it might not be shutting down everything it is supposed to after turning off the ignition - that kind of thing. There’s just so much stuff that’s supposed to shut down several minutes later and then there are things that can be programmed to come on with remote start. It just seems like anything could happen.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I have an appointment with the dealer next week. Guy on the phone said it definitely wasn't normal. I unplugged the dash cam and charged the battery (again). What a pita.

And thanks for the replies.

Best of luck! It’s no fun having to fix a new truck.

Sponsored