Charging system Failure?

[ecoboostsho]

So a charging system Failure message popped up along with the radio/sync system going to battery saver mode. Battery saver kicks on when I turn the car off but leave the radio on. The charging system error pops up with the ignition in the "run" position. Car starts and runs fine with no other symptoms.

I had the same thing a month ago but ended up thinking it was the battery since I had an original 2013 motorcraft. I replaced it with the heavy duty (850 CCA) I think motorcraft and the message went away. Now it popped up again today so I'm pretty sure it isn't the battery...I don't really have anything that should drain the battery when the car is off since my accessories are all on/off with key so to speak. Could the alternator be going or some other module? No CEL and no Codes I can see...at a loss.

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[SHOdded]

Did you retrain the pcm on the new battery?  Try the 30 min neg batt cable disconnect and/or kam reset.  Not sure if Forscan will allow you to reset the BMS directly.

Alternators do sometimes fail on these cars, but it could be wiring from the alt to the batt, or a damaged current sensor also.

 

[ecoboostsho]

Did you retrain the pcm on the new battery?  Try the 30 min neg batt cable disconnect and/or kam reset.  Not sure if Forscan will allow you to reset the BMS directly.

Alternators do sometimes fail on these cars, but it could be wiring from the alt to the batt, or a damaged current sensor also.

I did a KAM reset about two weeks ago when I started tuning with Brad but will try again. Thanks for the advice.

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[ZSHO]

The (BCM) has a tendency to act wonky especially below 40 deg!
How many volts are you seeing during engineering mode ? Z
I'm hoping its not an issue with the modules not going to sleep!

https://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,6955.0.html

 

[ecoboostsho]

The (BCM) has a tendency to act wonky especially below 40 deg!
How many volts are you seeing during engineering mode ? Z
I'm hoping its not an issue with the modules not going to sleep!

https://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,6955.0.html

Forgot about engineering mode! 11.7 volts...

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[pmezo33]

Had the same message come up about 2 weeks before i had a dead battery.

Get a multimeter and check the voltage of the battery with the car off.  A good battery will read about 12.7 volts.  If the battery is good, turn the car on and check the alternator.  It should be charging at about 14 volts.

 

[ecoboostsho]

Had the same message come up about 2 weeks before i had a dead battery.

Get a multimeter and check the voltage of the battery with the car off.  A good battery will read about 12.7 volts.  If the battery is good, turn the car on and check the alternator.  It should be charging at about 14 volts.

Well mine is at 11.7 which seems low.

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[pmezo33]

Had the same message come up about 2 weeks before i had a dead battery.

Get a multimeter and check the voltage of the battery with the car off.  A good battery will read about 12.7 volts.  If the battery is good, turn the car on and check the alternator.  It should be charging at about 14 volts.

Well mine is at 11.7 which seems low.

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Your alternator or your battery is 11.7 volts?

 

[ecoboostsho]

Had the same message come up about 2 weeks before i had a dead battery.

Get a multimeter and check the voltage of the battery with the car off.  A good battery will read about 12.7 volts.  If the battery is good, turn the car on and check the alternator.  It should be charging at about 14 volts.

Well mine is at 11.7 which seems low.

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Your alternator or your battery is 11.7 volts?

Battery. I get 14.5 with car running.

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[pmezo33]

Had the same message come up about 2 weeks before i had a dead battery.

Get a multimeter and check the voltage of the battery with the car off.  A good battery will read about 12.7 volts.  If the battery is good, turn the car on and check the alternator.  It should be charging at about 14 volts.

Well mine is at 11.7 which seems low.

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Your alternator or your battery is 11.7 volts?

Battery. I get 14.5 with car running.

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You've got a dead battery.  14.5 volts is a little high for an alternator, but it's probably having to work extra hard trying to charge a battery that won't charge.

 

[ZSHO]

I think anything below 11.8 volts will set the (BMS) management on!
Frequent and short trips will certainly take a toll on the Battery IMO.
If so take s long cruise and check to see if the voltage improves. Z

 

[ecoboostsho]

Had the same message come up about 2 weeks before i had a dead battery.

Get a multimeter and check the voltage of the battery with the car off.  A good battery will read about 12.7 volts.  If the battery is good, turn the car on and check the alternator.  It should be charging at about 14 volts.

Well mine is at 11.7 which seems low.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Your alternator or your battery is 11.7 volts?

Battery. I get 14.5 with car running.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

You've got a dead battery.  14.5 volts is a little high for an alternator, but it's probably having to work extra hard trying to charge a battery that won't charge.

Well it's about a month old so that would be weird. I wonder if I've got some parasitic current someplace...or I'll be up for warranty on the battery I guess

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[ecoboostsho]

Had the same message come up about 2 weeks before i had a dead battery.

Get a multimeter and check the voltage of the battery with the car off.  A good battery will read about 12.7 volts.  If the battery is good, turn the car on and check the alternator.  It should be charging at about 14 volts.

Well mine is at 11.7 which seems low.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Your alternator or your battery is 11.7 volts?

Battery. I get 14.5 with car running.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

You've got a dead battery.  14.5 volts is a little high for an alternator, but it's probably having to work extra hard trying to charge a battery that won't charge.

Well it's about a month old so that would be weird. I wonder if I've got some parasitic current someplace...or I'll be up for warranty on the battery I guess

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I'll shut down the accessories and go for a hour drive tomorrow and see what happens. Thanks for all the help guys!

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[pmezo33]

Well it's about a month old so that would be weird. I wonder if I've got some parasitic current someplace...or I'll be up for warranty on the battery I guess

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Probably just got a dud.  It's not common, but it does happen.  Bring it back to the place you got it from and let them test the battery under load.  They'll warranty it.

If you think you have a parasitic draw, pull the battery from the car, try to charge it, put it back in, and do a parasitic draw test with a multimeter. 

 

[ecoboostsho]

Well it's about a month old so that would be weird. I wonder if I've got some parasitic current someplace...or I'll be up for warranty on the battery I guess

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Probably just got a dud.  It's not common, but it does happen.  Bring it back to the place you got it from and let them test the battery under load.  They'll warranty it.

If you think you have a parasitic draw, pull the battery from the car, try to charge it, put it back in, and do a parasitic draw test with a multimeter.

Cool. I can do that. I've got a charger and a multimeter. Thanks for the help;

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[pmezo33]

I'll shut down the accessories and go for a hour drive tomorrow and see what happens. Thanks for all the help guys!

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I wouldn't keep stressing the alternator with a battery that doesn't charge.  Pull the battery and do a slow charge externally. 

 

[ecoboostsho]

I'll shut down the accessories and go for a hour drive tomorrow and see what happens. Thanks for all the help guys!

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I wouldn't keep stressing the alternator with a battery that doesn't charge.  Pull the battery and do a slow charge externally.

Just took your advice and disconnected it from the car and put it on the charger. Will see if it takes

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[ZSHO]

Curious on any updates!  Thanks.  Z
I'm hoping it's something simple especially around the Holiday season! 

 

[ecoboostsho]

Curious on any updates!  Thanks.  Z
I'm hoping it's something simple especially around the Holiday season!

Well not sure yet but the battery charged right up and the messages are all gone. So it's either some kind of parasitic draw or a charging system issue...

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[pmezo33]

Curious on any updates!  Thanks.  Z
I'm hoping it's something simple especially around the Holiday season!

Well not sure yet but the battery charged right up and the messages are all gone. So it's either some kind of parasitic draw or a charging system issue...

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It still could be the battery.  It may charge up, but it also may not be able to hold the charge. 

With the charged battery that you now have, check what the alternator is putting out.  Should be 14 volts.  You need a charged battery to get an accurate alternator reading.  If you're putting out 14 volts, your alternator is fine.  If the battery is dead again in a week or so, you need a new battery.

That's also assuming you don't have a parastic draw somewhere.  Now is the perfect time to check for one.