Watch Your Battery Voltage

[Southside_Ray]

It’s more likely that the battery has been running low for a while and just got low enough to trigger the message. Do you still have stop/start active? Has it been working?

It is active, I usually hit the button as soon as I turn the vehicle on but I guess I will test that out...

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[BadlandsA51]

It is active, I usually hit the button as soon as I turn the vehicle on but I guess I will test that out...

I usually let it shut off once just to know battery is good, then disable it.

 

[ssmegapunish]

I can confirm the experiences here. Even with the "sleep mode" Fords have the battery seems to die after several days...but that is typical for newer cars with always on computers sending your secrets to Ford etc. Had a 2016 Camaro that died after a week. Note that lead acid is permanently damaged if voltage gets too low - this is well known and documented all over the interweb. 100% solution is to trickle charge or pull the battery cable if not driving for a while.

Lead-acid likes to float charge 24/7 and will actually extend life of the battery - especially if you can get a charger that will do a periodic equalization charge. The standby batteries at utility substations I maintain last 20+ years on a float charge.

 

[Southside_Ray]

It’s more likely that the battery has been running low for a while and just got low enough to trigger the message. Do you still have stop/start active? Has it been working?

I ran this test on my way home from work today and it took awhile but ASS did engage. My battery voltage read 14.8 after, the highest during the drive home.

 

[wgw]

so just curious has anyone put a Amp meter on the battery cable when not running to see what actual flow (if any)is being pulled by the load?

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

Ok I'll try to keep this short, kinda hard on this subject. I pay attention to mine as well. My Bronc has set for extended periods of time as well, up to 3 weeks at one time. One note I will make here is do NOT leave the fob in the Bronc while it is not being used, it thinks you are getting ready to start it. It will stay in "ready" mode. if you take the key fob away it will go to sleep. After one of those stints it would be around the 14.7 to 15.2. I started to drive the Bronc everyday for a couple of weeks. It took about a week to get the voltage back down to the 13.2 to 13.6 range. When I say drove it for a week my routine is......
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Interesting - this may explain why every time I take it in for service, I get a notification after a few days “Remote features disabled to preserve the battery” and then I have to put my half charged battery on the charger when I get it home—they are leaving the fob in it in the shop for days…

 

[BadlandsA51]

If your wife runs the Bronc for like 15/20 mins before taking the kid to the bus stop it would help. Then when she comes back let it run for 15/20 mins. All electronics off. NO heat. No radio. No cell phone plugged in. Just let it idle. It will put a charge back into the battery.

I have a 2.7 Bronc and when the ASS shuts off the back of the Bronc sags down, it takes to load off the suspension. Plus I can hear a thump, when it turns off. Always makes me realize I didn't turn it off. Maybe a 2.3 does not do this.

You can sense the rear end “sag” due to the engine shutting off, it is no longer applying torque to the driveline so the rear axle “relaxes “. That would explain the sound you hear when the engine shuts off too. The torque is taken off the engine mounts.

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