Ford Now Offering Free Battery Checks

[SonicBlue]

Just received this email…

It is nice to see that Ford is belatedly taking action to address a systemic flaw with the 12v battery. It is under-spec’d for the electronics in this car, too difficult to access, and the battery management software was not keeping it adequately charged.

Now, Ford is improving the battery management, rumored to be adding remote battery monitoring to FordPass, and is now adding these free dealership checks in the interim.

Hopefully in future builds, Ford makes the battery easier to access and replace, and hopefully that remote monitoring comes soon!

In the meantime, it sure would be nice if @Ford Motor Company did the right thing by owners who suffered lockouts due to prematurely dying 12vs. My battery died at 38 months, 2 months outside of “warranty.” That warranty is insufficient due to the systemic flaws noted above.

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[Maquis]

It’s just a way to drum up battery replacement business. I’ve gotten this offer long before EVs and AGM batteries.

 

[Tomatoboy]

Nearly all Ford dealers I’ve visited with ICE vehicles have tested them as part of the multi-point inspection done as part of an oil change or scheduled service interval anyway, it’s good practice for them as it drums up battery sales that might otherwise go to quick service tire/battery targeted repair outfits. Last time I read them it’s part of Ford’s recommendation for the multi-point, this would just be reaching the folks who aren’t doing the 10k mileage service intervals assuming of course the dealer they visited actually followed Ford’s recommendation. Interestingly, our MME servicing dealer didn’t note they tested the battery as part of our 10k or 20k service visits, which I thought was sloppy…probably because the battery is in an annoying spot and they don‘t want to risk having to replace clips. Ford really should have just left the 12V battery (and probably the brake fluid bottle) exposed like the washer fluid neck for serviceability without (albeit minor) disassembly.

 

[Ford_orr]

This may be a dumb question, but to check the SOC for the 12V battery, all the service tech has to do is clamp the alligator clips connected to a diagnostic device to the battery terminals, correct? Or is there more involved? The reason I ask is I drilled out the holes in the plastic panel to access the battery jump points and was wondering if this would make it easier for them to check the battery next time I'm there and save on some "labor" if they try to get slick and tell me they have to remove all the covers. Not sure how long this "complimentary" battery check service is gonna last.

 

[Ford_orr]

Just received this email…

It is nice to see that Ford is belatedly taking action to address a systemic flaw with the 12v battery. It is under-spec’d for the electronics in this car, too difficult to access, and the battery management software was not keeping it adequately charged.

Now, Ford is improving the battery management, rumored to be adding remote battery monitoring to FordPass, and is now adding these free dealership checks in the interim.

Hopefully in future builds, Ford makes the battery easier to access and replace, and hopefully that remote monitoring comes soon!

In the meantime, it sure would be nice if @Ford Motor Company did the right thing by owners who suffered lockouts due to prematurely dying 12vs. My battery died at 38 months, 2 months outside of “warranty.” That warranty is insufficient due to the systemic flaws noted above.

Yeah, there's been a lot of squeaky wheels on this forum regarding this issue.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

This may be a dumb question, but to check the SOC for the 12V battery, all the service tech has to do is clamp the alligator clips connected to a diagnostic device to the battery terminals, correct? Or is there more involved? The reason I ask is I drilled out the holes in the plastic panel to access the battery jump points and was wondering if this would make it easier for them to check the battery next time I'm there and save on some "labor" if they try to get slick and tell me they have to remove all the covers. Not sure how long this "complimentary" battery check service is gonna last.

OBD II dongle. I checked it yesterday in 15 sec. Drilling the holes allows you to charge it.

 

[Aubury]

Hopefully in future builds, Ford makes the battery easier to access and replace, and hopefully that remote monitoring comes soon!

Would be better for Ford to switch to a lithium chemistry for the low voltage system. EVs don't need the high current, that ICEs need to star the engine, that lead-acid provides. Would just be simpler/better to use a chemistry that would last the lifetime vehicle

 

[SonicBlue]

It’s just a way to drum up battery replacement business. I’ve gotten this offer long before EVs and AGM batteries.

Hmm. Seems like a strong coincidence to get this email within weeks of Ford’s other efforts re the Mach E battery issues. Also, most Mach E batteries from 22 on are still under warranty, so that’s odd timing to drum up business.

 

[curtisfinney]

OBD II dongle. I checked it yesterday in 15 sec. Drilling the holes allows you to charge it.

Can you share how to do check via OBD II dongle?

 

[Alan]

At the 30K service, I asked them to make sure the LVB was completely healthy, or just change it out otherwise as a precaution since it was over 36 mo old. They returned the car saying the LVB was fine. A month later I had a dead LVB in my garage. I changed it myself and saved about $100. Had it happened away from home (quite often for us) then I would have been seriously upset.

 

[CT3]

I am at 38 months. Maybe I am cheap, should I just replace it? How much is it to just replace ?

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Can you share how to do check via OBD II dongle?

So buy a good dongle (like OBDLink MX+) and download the carscanner app for free. With these two things, you’d be able to read the SoC of your 12v battery and many other things related to the vehicle.

 

[Deezul]

Would be better for Ford to switch to a lithium chemistry for the low voltage system. EVs don't need the high current, that ICEs need to star the engine, that lead-acid provides. Would just be simpler/better to use a chemistry that would last the lifetime vehicle

A lot of things in the car still are based on the power they draw from a 12V - radio, window motors, HVAC, etc. They would have to change all those devices or put in power controls to convert the lithium battery to the power expected from a 12V. Or just keep using 12V because despite other flaws, it works and means not having to maintain one set of equipment for ICE, and one for EV.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

Would be better for Ford to switch to a lithium chemistry for the low voltage system. EVs don't need the high current, that ICEs need to star the engine, that lead-acid provides. Would just be simpler/better to use a chemistry that would last the lifetime vehicle

Where's the replacement-part-revenue fun in that?!! ?

 

[Aubury]

A lot of things in the car still are based on the power they draw from a 12V - radio, window motors, HVAC, etc. They would have to change all those devices or put in power controls to convert the lithium battery to the power expected from a 12V. Or just keep using 12V because despite other flaws, it works and means not having to maintain one set of equipment for ICE, and one for EV.

I mean, the power all those systems draw is insignificant compared to what the starter motor on an ICE needs, which is why lead acid is used there. There's plenty of lithium battery constructions that could be used to provide the needed amount of power. Tesla already uses lithium for their low voltage system, though it's technically at 16V. That might only really require minimal changes from the various systems that require low voltage power. The LV BMS is really the only module that would require significant changes to handle the lithium chemistry.

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