Infotainment Warning Message

[Radioman]

From what I've read, the Ranger has a charging system with a mind of it's own. Apparently, you need to put high mileage on it at highway speeds to allow it to charge. And, even then, it's only a partial charge. My 2019 with under 20K miles was showing all the signs and giving me messages, so I replaced the battery. A month later, it was sending me messages again and the touch handles would only work for the driver door. When I get the message, I run it up the highway and run errands in it. That usually buys me another couple of months.

That is the same as my experience Michael.

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[Racket]

That’s what we’re here for. Well, that and a whole bunch of joking around.

(Something something DAMPERS)

 

[gtyates]

The most helpful solution is use Forscan and change the ridiculously low battery charge setting. Ford set it at 75% of capacity. Way too low. Changed mine to 90%. I never see the shut down warnings anymore, even after the truck sat 10 days while we were on vacation. Also, my fuel mileage has actually gone up since I increased the charge percentage. I made this same change on our '21 Explorer Limited with the same results. I also added an auto stop eliminator to get rid of that annoying "feature" that kills the engine and a/c at every traffic light.

 

[DanielPierre]

From what I've read, the Ranger has a charging system with a mind of it's own. Apparently, you need to put high mileage on it at highway speeds to allow it to charge. And, even then, it's only a partial charge. My 2019 with under 20K miles was showing all the signs and giving me messages, so I replaced the battery. A month later, it was sending me messages again and the touch handles would only work for the driver door. When I get the message, I run it up the highway and run errands in it. That usually buys me another couple of months.

I just returned from O’Reilly’s Auto parts Store

From what I've read, the Ranger has a charging system with a mind of it's own. Apparently, you need to put high mileage on it at highway speeds to allow it to charge. And, even then, it's only a partial charge. My 2019 with under 20K miles was showing all the signs and giving me messages, so I replaced the battery. A month later, it was sending me messages again and the touch handles would only work for the driver door. When I get the message, I run it up the highway and run errands in it. That usually buys me another couple of months.

I just returned from O’Reilly’s auto parts store and had my battery go through a diagnostics test. The verdict: no issue with the battery. The came the question I never expected: “where is your engine cover”? I purchased this truck in March 2021! It had 7,000 miles and now I’m at 38000 +! Had at the local dealer for oil change every 6,000 miles and just recently to perform a transmission diagnostics, and never once was the question asked “where is your engine cover”? Unbelievable! I’m not a happy camper. Wonder if the engine cover has anything to do with the Infotainment messaging issues.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I just returned from O’Reilly’s Auto parts Store

I just returned from O’Reilly’s auto parts store and had my battery go through a diagnostics test. The verdict: no issue with the battery. The came the question I never expected: “where is your engine cover”? I purchased this truck in March 2021! It had 7,000 miles and now I’m at 38000 +! Had at the local dealer for oil change every 6,000 miles and just recently to perform a transmission diagnostics, and never once was the question asked “where is your engine cover”? Unbelievable! I’m not a happy camper. Wonder if the engine cover has anything to do with the Infotainment messaging issues.

Engine cover was not available on all models and only for a limited time - A 2020 XLT without one is normal. I think only Lariats had them but a lot of folks bought them - me included.

It has nothing to do with those messages.

 

[MarioCart]

this one time, I had my ex wife help me look for a tool that i thought i lost.
turns out i never owned one.
But she somehow managed to convince her brother that the tool he had was really mine and I loaned it to him.

Maybe you just need to trade war stories in a parking lot one friday night with fellow ranger owners and lay claim to one of their engine covers as if it was yours all this time.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Engine cover was not available on all models and only for a limited time - A 2020 XLT without one is normal. I think only Lariats had them but a lot of folks bought them - me included.

It has nothing to do with those messages.

It does have something to do with whether the mice are warm and cozy under your hood or not though.

 

[DanielPierre]

Engine cover was not available on all models and only for a limited time - A 2020 XLT without one is normal. I think only Lariats had them but a lot of folks bought them - me included.

It has nothing to do with those messages.

Well, the injection molded fastener inserts are there and they look factory clean.

 

[MarioCart]

Well, the injection molded fastener inserts are there and they look factory clean.

you got robbed then. someone got in there and took it. probably the tailight guy

 

[DanielPierre]

you got robbed then. someone got in there and took it. probably the tailight guy

You’re just a regular comedian, aren’t you!

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Well, the injection molded fastener inserts are there and they look factory clean.

thats because they removed it after they designed the engine casting.

the same reason the wiring is there for add ons that aren't included on your trim level . . .

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Well, the injection molded fastener inserts are there and they look factory clean.

Or it’s a dealer employee. There’s a member here you scavenges the items from trade-ins that were decontented from his Ranger.

Not judging - I think it’s ingenious because who would really know it was missing? ?

 

[DanielPierre]

Or it’s a dealer employee. There’s a member here you scabenges the items from trade-ins that were decontented from his Ranger.

Not judging - I think it’s ingenious because who would really know it was missing? ?

 

[Langwilliams]

I had that message an took the truck to Auto Zone an had it tested. They said it tested good but was on like 55% charged. I also noticed the radio didn't play very long, sometimes only a minute or two when I parked before being shut off to save power. I semi retired an only drove it for about 10-15 minutes at a time since. I charged it up an it went away. Once a month or so I'd throw a trickle charger on it for a few hours an never got the message again. I traded it in after 44 months with 46K on it an it still had the factory battery.

 

[airline tech]

From my in-depth testing and research on the BMS system.
During the recalibration period (Sleep Mode) the 2 key trigger voltages are:
11.3 Volts - ASS Will disable. This is confirmed and a required voltage for ASS to function.
11.5 Volts - This voltage appears to be the voltage (trigger) when things start showing issues.
Such as (Sync-Infotainment), Passive Entry (Door Locks)- usually driver's side, Deep Sleep notifications (Ford-Pass) and Remote Start

Note: Remote Start is affected, due to the fact that the truck needs to verify doors are locked prior to start, if door lock system cannot be activated then remote start will fail, unable to communicate.

Now for the Sync System, that is a generic message that pops up, so some time during sleep mode the system saw that voltage. (11.5 Volts) and thus message was displayed.
Once engine is started and after a few minutes (if needed) the message should disappear, and Sync should display normally.

You are on the right track, with testing after an overnight (sleep). I suggest using a Tester like TopDon, this is an easy and quick way to check the battery health.
The issue is that most of the fault issues (Voltage Related) that pop up on the Ranger are generated from overnight (Sleep Mode) voltages that are measured during that time period.
The fault trigger will remain until it sees a voltage above the fault trigger voltage (during sleep mode)

Why is the above so important in relation to going to A/Zone etc and having battery tested, you now have started the truck and produced a charge into the battery, they do a test, and it tests good. A battery will load test good if it does not drop below 9.6 volts.
What is IMPORTANT for the Ranger battery and the BMS system and associated systems is what the overnight (Surface Charge) of the battery ends up at when you go out to start the truck (Wake-Up) voltage reading is the Most Important.

Note: At factory setting of 75% SOC, I normally saw a wake-up voltage, after sitting for 12 hours around 11.9 volts.
Ref the Maximizing Battery Life thread- for ways to improve this voltage to a higher reading.

So, the basic reasoning for BMS dumping systems is to keep the battery voltage above the minimum voltage for cranking (starter) around 10.2 volts for the Ranger.


My Detailed Thread:

Charging Sys-Full Description-Trigger Voltages-Test Results | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com


Related Thread: Covering Battery Life and Top-Don Tester / Viking Tester, Great Little tester for Home Use, that does not break the bank. These are not Load Testers but will show battery health and more importantly battery IR reading, a high IR reading affects how the battery will accept a charge. I just installed my battery minder and await monitored results from it being installed.


Maximizing Battery Life | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

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