Problems with ranger

[Progeny2021]

This happened to me today at 2800 miles. I drive every day but not far, but should be enough to keep things charged after 6 months of the same routine. Came out of the store and truck was cold dead. Luckily had the NOCO charger. Hooked it up and after about 30 seconds it came back to life. I’m gonna have my oil done before I head up north for the season at the end of the month and have them check the battery while it’s there.

Clean battery - charge battery - load test battery with correct load tester - make sure connections are clean and tight.....What is an AGM battery and how does it work: https://lifelinebatteries.com/2022/04/how-does-an-agm-battery-work/


I rarely drive my vehicles, so the parasitic loss hits them hard. Once per quarter, I plug them up to a battery minder - desulfator like the Battery Tender as a form of battery maintenance. Keeps the plates clean, maintains battery capacity and extends the life of the battery.

I know Ranger's battery is getting depleted (still starts and drives correctly) when the touch exterior door handle lock process stops working.

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[JDowns]

@Progeny2021 The vehicle is basically new and the terminals are spotless. I do have a tender but I don't think thats the solution as I do drive daily, just not that far. Truck started just fine this morning, if the battery was bad or going bad the short drive home yesterday and the truck sitting overnight I should have had issues this morning.

I would bet when the vehicle goes in this Friday that the battery load tests fine. My gut tells me this is a software issue. If jumping and / or removing the negative lead from the battery causes the issue to go away, ie. resets a module, then that would point to a software glitch. There must be some once in a blue moon scenario in which a module gets locked up (stuck in a loop), thinks the battery is dead and goes into deep sleep, or something. If the battery tests fine I'll put in a email to Ford Customer Care. I'm not sure it would go anywhere, and that a programmer would actually look into it since this appears to be a not so often occurrence. But it's worth a shot to at least get it on someone's radar.

 

[Progeny2021]

@Progeny2021 The vehicle is basically new and the terminals are spotless. I do have a tender but I don't think thats the solution as I do drive daily, just not that far. Truck started just fine this morning, if the battery was bad or going bad the short drive home yesterday and the truck sitting overnight I should have had issues this morning.

I would bet when the vehicle goes in this Friday that the battery load tests fine. My gut tells me this is a software issue. If jumping and / or removing the negative lead from the battery causes the issue to go away, ie. resets a module, then that would point to a software glitch. There must be some once in a blue moon scenario in which a module gets locked up (stuck in a loop), thinks the battery is dead and goes into deep sleep, or something. If the battery tests fine I'll put in a email to Ford Customer Care. I'm not sure it would go anywhere, and that a programmer would actually look into it since this appears to be a not so often occurrence. But it's worth a shot to at least get it on someone's radar.

We most definitely want to know the outcome. You stated Ranger is 'going in'? To a Ford dealer?

 

[Blue Streak]

Got mine in June of 19. Not long after it happened to me one time at home in the driveway. Not since, still have original battery. Checked every thing at the time & all checked good. Just before I called to have it towed to the dealer I got in & everything was normal. I do have a battery maintainer as driving is not as often now. Even with maintainer on it will go into sleep mode from not driving in like 14 days.

 

[JDowns]

We most definitely want to know the outcome. You stated Ranger is 'going in'? To a Ford dealer?

Yes it goes into the dealer for the oil change before I head up north and will have them inspect the battery and systems while there.

 

[Progeny2021]

Yes it goes into the dealer for the oil change before I head up north and will have them inspect the battery and systems while there.

Hoping your trip is safe and constructive. I've spent some time in Idaho, particularly at the hospital(!) in Mountain Home several years back. US95 to the BC border when Cranbrook was a regular destination - truly beautiful state. More liberals in Idaho than many realize, especially the college towns.

 

[MathGod]

I searched around and found this thread. Any help would be appreciated.

My 2019 Ranger Lariat has 15000 miles on it.

The truck sat in the parking lot from 6:30 AM until 3:30 PM.

I get in the truck and push the button to start.
nothing happens. Then the check engine light comes on and warning lights about traction and I think stability control start flashing on the LCD screen.

Any ideas what could be wrong?
called the dealer and they said they had no idea. I think it is the battery.

 

[AzScorpion]

I searched around and found this thread. Any help would be appreciated.

My 2019 Ranger Lariat has 15000 miles on it.

The truck sat in the parking lot from 6:30 AM until 3:30 PM.

I get in the truck and push the button to start.
nothing happens. Then the check engine light comes on and warning lights about traction and I think stability control start flashing on the LCD screen.

Any ideas what could be wrong?
called the dealer and they said they had no idea. I think it is the battery.

Rich, it's possible the battery is dead and if you're not driving many miles it never gets fully charged. One thing you could try is disconnecting the battery, let it sit for 10 minutes and reconnect it. Some have had this same thing happen and that's worked for them. Hopefully this works, Good luck!

 

[Grooge]

Besides the tear in my break boot, nothing!!

Over one year with 17k miles.

 

[Samsquanch]

Definitely have the driveshaft center bearing checked that’s most likely the source of your noise. I had mine replaced which made an annoying whine but mine was when going faster. It cleared up the sound but not the vibrations.

 

[Progeny2021]

Well, that's a first I think for Ranger5g

The original posting was very poorly written. I take credit for prompting its' rewrite.

 

[SFB]

So I'm having a bit of trouble with the ranger I have a 2020 xlt Latest issue is and it only happened once so far but I came back from a fishing spot and tried to unlock the truck .The key fob would not work so I got in with the key with the key and the truck had no power it didn't register me opening the door. I put the key in nothing happened I turned the key it did nothing I also could not get the car and Neutral. So I proceed to call roadside assistance because nothing was wrong with the battery Halfway through our conversation I hear the truck power come back on and it started fine. .if anybody has any insight please let me know The terminals are fine the fuse is fine so Not those. 2nd problem I had tires rotated since I have a squealing sound sound that happens after I reach over 30 miles an hour it almost sounds like a belt noise but it is not the engine it's coming from the back right wheel area The noise starts after 30 miles an hour And squeaks Repeatedly while I'm driving. Sorry for the long Post but I've already taken it to the dealer with no results Please help and thank you for it

Good side is you have been to the dealer and its recorded, just in case a rear bearing fails after 36K and bumper to bumper is gone. Sounds like it could be a wheel bearing! Does it go away above 30? A note on the no power issue, one thing you could try is disconnect a battery cable for at least a minute, reconnect it and see if it causes perhaps a reboot of the system. You would loose presets though and tranny memory doing that, but it might get you out of a spot. Only a thought.

 

[JDowns]

Got the oil done and tires rotated late yesterday and they tested the battery. Both checked out fine after about an extra hour. Talked with the service manager and they have seen this a few times and its not just Ranger specific without any perceivable cause.

He put in a report to Ford for me and he agrees that there may be some sort of software gremlin going on that causes these rare shut downs.

He further warned to not put a tender on the negative post but the frame ground as to not damage the module or cause the BMS to loose track of the state of charge.

His thoughts were that the issue is tied to the battery state of charge. For some reason the BMS looses track of the state of charge and thinks the battery is dead. This is why either a hard reboot (remove negative cable, allow capacitative charge to dissipate, and reconnect) or a jump (increasing battery charge) resets the battery state of charge.

 

[Hexhead]

Last night I had the same complete shutdown on my 2021 Ranger 11,000 miles on it. I have the regular keyed ignition. Drove into town to haver dinner, came back to the truck an hour later, hit my key fob to open, nothing. Used the key to get in, everything completely dead. Key in ignition & nothing happens. I had my other Key fob inside the truck, would do nothing as well.
Pulled out my phone to use the Ford Pass app to call a tow, app came up with the remote start button right there so on a whim I tried the button. Immediately the truck dash comes to life. Tried the keyed ignition & she fires right up. Later back home I tested everything all good. The Ford Pass allowed me to remote start & lock unlock just fine. I also have the factory installed keypad entry which did not work when it was dead but worked fine later.
I have an apt next week at the Ford dealer to check it out. Service Rep had not seen this issue before, just said they would put it on the computer to check it out. Also live in Palm Springs, temp was a 105 that day so could be heat related.

 

[SFB]

So I'm having a bit of trouble with the ranger I have a 2020 xlt Latest issue is and it only happened once so far but I came back from a fishing spot and tried to unlock the truck .The key fob would not work so I got in with the key with the key and the truck had no power it didn't register me opening the door. I put the key in nothing happened I turned the key it did nothing I also could not get the car and Neutral. So I proceed to call roadside assistance because nothing was wrong with the battery Halfway through our conversation I hear the truck power come back on and it started fine. .if anybody has any insight please let me know The terminals are fine the fuse is fine so Not those. 2nd problem I had tires rotated since I have a squealing sound sound that happens after I reach over 30 miles an hour it almost sounds like a belt noise but it is not the engine it's coming from the back right wheel area The noise starts after 30 miles an hour And squeaks Repeatedly while I'm driving. Sorry for the long Post but I've already taken it to the dealer with no results Please help and thank you for it

Ive not experienced this!, I have a 2019. One thing I might have tried would be to either try a start via the app if you are using it, I find it very helpful having locked my keys in the car while it was running! Or, disconnect the Neg. cable leave off for a min and reconnect! Since the battery is ok you have power going from it, interrupting this might cause a reboot! Does this make sense to anyone?

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