12V Battery - Something has to be done!

[HuntingPudel]

I mean before there is a failure, if I can use a car scanner app to take a look at the 12v battery charge level and if I could tell based on that whether mine is still good or if it is in need of replacement.

Only when the car is running or in accessory mode. The OBD-2 port does not work if the car is asleep. ??

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[GrisGris]

I do and it’s generally great. My pants last longer, too. But I would take a physical key and use a hideakey under a wheel well.

Same. I haven't had a key in my pocket for years, for anything.

Coming up on almost 4 years, with no dead 12V. Guess I'll change it out during my 20k service (yep, 20k, haha) next month to be safe.

 

[PA Bob]

I do think Ford should provide some type of LV battery monitoring method so that the owner would KNOW that the battery is in distress or below some safe threshold.

But until they do, it's about $25 to install the feature yourself. I will not be unaware of a failing or tired AGM.

How does one istall this feature?

 

[DYohn]

Neither did I, until the day I did. Now it's sitting like a brick and I'm in an ICE loaner waiting on parts that are not available until after the first of the year, if then.

Your battery went dead and now you're waiting on parts?

 

[GrisGris]

This discussion would go away if Ford went back to the old software that had the SOC of the 12V battery on the first page of the website and the large battery SOC on a second page.
I think MME owners are responsible for this change because they complained that they couldn't work the software.
I decided that since I own a 2021 MME to get a moniter ($13) to plug into the 12V receptacle. Be careful if you buy one of these. Don't leave it plugged in, some have reported fires due to the moniter. Treat it as a meter and then pull it out.

So something like this? And you're just looking for a yellow/red test result?

 

[PA Bob]

The sad thing about the 12V battery state of charge, is Ford had a good solution and eliminated it because of complaints from owners that didn't access the second page.
We could go to the website and the 12V battery SOC was there on the first page. On a second page was the Main battery SOC.
What a perfect programming solution. First page for ICE users with 12V batter condition and second page for EV owners.
I'm sure that code could be reactivated and save us all from buying equipment to monitor the smaller battery.
I have already bought a $13 monitor that fits into the 12V receptacle in the car. I don't leave it plugged in because of reports of fires.

Can you post a link for this $13 monitor?

 

[Sikkun]

I can't imagine people walk around keyless. I use the PAAK all the time but I have the key as well as I have to unlock other things and since I need other keys why not carry the fob as well. So to me the advantage is not having to take it out of my pocket.

If you have the fob you can already not remove it from your pocket, what does PAAK get you at that point?

 

[Stanmckinney]

Can you post a link for this $13 monitor?

Which 12 volt receptacle?

 

[Snakebitten]

How does one istall this feature?

 

[ARK]

Only when the car is running or in accessory mode. The OBD-2 port does not work if the car is asleep. ??

Yes, but what are people looking for with the battery trackers? I thought it was to see state of charge?

 

[ipca204]

That is indeed a good solution, except for those who wish to rely exclusively on PAAK. There is no perfect solution here. But yeah, a physical key would be a great start.

Those who rely "exclusively on PAAK" will one day not be so happy

 

[Space_Pony]

how about an actual key to unlock the doors, dead battery no problem, use key, open doors, pop frunk, charge/change battery. Simple ages old solution to a 2021 onwards problem.

I don't think it's possible to give us keys now since there is no keyhole. A brick would work better than a key with no place to insert it.

 

[Maui]

I don't think it's possible to give us keys now since there is no keyhole. A brick would work better than a key with no place to insert it.

I suspected future mods not backwards

 

[HuntingPudel]

Yes, but what are people looking for with the battery trackers? I thought it was to see state of charge?

Yes, but not with the car running. If the car is running it’s got its DC-DC converter running to charge the battery. They’re monitoring the battery off-charge. ??

 

[ARK]

Yes, but not with the car running. If the car is running it’s got its DC-DC converter running to charge the battery. They’re monitoring the battery off-charge. ??

Makes sense. But would a reading done right as the vehicle is turned on not be informative or does the 12v charge very quickly once power is supplied?

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