head4trauma Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Hello, (New here and was hoping it would be more than a week before my first issue) Hopefully it's something I overlooked, but my battery was dead this evening. 2016 Fusion SE. It's very possible I overlooked something, but would rather figure it out either way since my car is new with less than 80 miles on it. I had parked in the driveway after work around 6:00 AM Sunday morning. I did fiddle with a few things, but can't think of anything that may have drained the battery that doesn't automatically turn itself off. I do have remote start, which I was testing out. The only thing I could think of was activating it without actually starting the engine. I briefly noticed the display had a message about "power saving", but it was while closing the door. I was busy at the time so I figured it wasn't important and forgot all about it. I wouldn't surprise me a bit if it was something I did. But so far, I can't figure out exactly WHY the battery was dead. Defective batteries do exist. And of course I have a warranty. But I'd rather know why, especially if I managed to cause it. I had to jump it, and there are no other issues at all. I just don't want to be stuck somewhere with a dead battery. And if it's a warranty issue, I'll need to take care of it ASAP. Thanks in advance. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 There are some bad batteries out there. Very short trips will also kill it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 These cars have a battery saver feature so even if you did do something, chances are the system would have shut it down. Did you, by any chance, leave a cell phone or some power draining accessory plugged in? The 12V power points stay "hot." Was the car on the dealer's lot for a long time? And yes, there are bad batteries. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
head4trauma Posted May 17, 2016 Author Share Posted May 17, 2016 Thanks for the replies. I had nothing plugged in. I'm paranoid about that one. I just tried it, started right up. I sent an email to the dealer and they couldn't think of a cause. But if it happens again, I'll take it in. A dead battery was the last thing I expected from a new car. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
head4trauma Posted May 21, 2016 Author Share Posted May 21, 2016 Update: Apparently a fluke. I've not had an issue since. Not even a minor question of reliability. So I can only guess it was something I did. I work nights, and typically it's dark when I leave work this time of year, then the sun is coming up when I get home. I was messing with some of the settings, and I'm pretty sure I did something and didn't notice it. The dealer said if there is an issue at all, just give him a call and take in the car to figure it out. Assuming it's not just a battery that needs replaced. I did a Vehicle Health Report as well. Let's just say I wish MY health reports were so good. Thanks again for the input. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
head4trauma Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 Sort of an update, but wanted to get some input. So far, I've had three jump starts. The last time I needed to use the manual key just to get in and pop the hood. Irritated to say the least. Especially at EXACTLY 1,181 miles... yes...........1,181 So I have an appointment tomorrow. Me and engines? Phhhttt...not friends. Me and anything electronic is a totally different story. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9dDsJJt5bFUMlBldE9ZSzNrOXM/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9dDsJJt5bFUVElqLU9TSHhYVG8/view?usp=sharing I do not have intelligent access 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightBeASynth Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 (edited) So there has been a problem of defective stock batteries, esp lead acid as we all get. It does not matter if you have intelligent access or not, there is ALWAYS a drain on these cars the manual even states if you plan to leave the car for more than a couple weeks (IMO you should do it even if its for a week) it should be put on a trickle charge. The other things to keep in mind is that the car needs to be running for a certain amount of time at a certain RPM to generate enough voltage to both charge the battery and run the car. If you take a lot of shorter trips and then let the car sit for some time then you are likely not keeping up with the battery's discharge to begin with. Add in the fact that it is a lead acid which really HATES being drawn down like that and you have a recipe for some unhappiness. With your mileage I assume the car is not driven that often. I would bitch at the dealer and see if they will split the difference on a motorgraft AGM style battery and get a charger. Anytime you plan to let the car sit for a few days just put it on the charger. If you commute daily but have a very short commute put the car on a charger once a week for few hours and you should be fine. You may also want to get a datalogger or a voltage meter that works with your outlets so you can see how much power you are making. You need to make 14-14.5 volts to charge and run the car at the same time. During city driving you might drop as low as 12.8. Edited July 26, 2016 by MightBeASynth 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 As stated above, could just be a bad battery and/or short trips. Using remote start over and over without letting it run would be even worse than short trips. Let the dealer sort it out - could also be a bad sensor keeping it from going to sleep and running down the battery even faster. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
head4trauma Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 Yes, there is a drain no matter what....but, the manual also specifically states the two are NOT interchangleble. I'm not bitching about the car, but the dealer. Period. Wrong battery means, is a wrong battery. I had it checked....40% charge, completely healthy. I live in a very small town. Drive every day. Commute maybe 16 miles. When it died after 6 hours.....I really got concerned. My thing, two months ago, obviously the dealer missed and I'm relieved. VERY relieved. Passing up my street to drive more?, love this car. The dealer obviously didn't catch it.......but I was passing on I figured it out. If not, I'll let you know that too., per manual: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9dDsJJt5bFUcnpjN1d3bmZVRGM/view?usp=sharing ditto: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9dDsJJt5bFUUmRSTUM5M082dXc/view?usp=sharing 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Make sure it was tested with a modern tester. The older testers are frequently reporting the battery is good when it's not. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
head4trauma Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 Basically, the car should have a 500, it has a 590......more than likely the difference in configuration messes with the onboard diagnostics sending false positives. I've got nothing but green health reports back when I've run them. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
head4trauma Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 Make sure it was tested with a modern tester. The older testers are frequently reporting the battery is good when it's not. Dude https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9dDsJJt5bFUYnFudVZ2aTNaTkE/view?usp=sharing 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
head4trauma Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 intermission https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9dDsJJt5bFUYnFudVZ2aTNaTkE/view?usp=sharing 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightBeASynth Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 (edited) Batteries are interchangeable, its just the as-built data that needs to change to ensure a full charge and correct monitoring. That said I put in an XSPower D4700 and still have yet to update my as-built, might not be getting fully charged (it seems to be based on logs and testers) but works great. Edited July 27, 2016 by MightBeASynth 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Dude https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9dDsJJt5bFUYnFudVZ2aTNaTkE/view?usp=sharing You said you had it checked - ask the person who checked it if they used a newer type of tester or get it retested somewhere that has one. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
head4trauma Posted July 29, 2016 Author Share Posted July 29, 2016 You said you had it checked - ask the person who checked it if they used a newer type of tester or get it retested somewhere that has one. I watched them do it. Click the links up there. The pics. I have a 2016....2 months old......not even 1,200 miles.............there is no reason for 3 dead batteries in that amount of time. Period. But we did figure it out. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eGuru Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 Did you not get any help on the Taurus forum? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 Should not need to update as-built data for an increase in CCAs. The Battery Management System does typically need to be reset every time a new battery is plugged in so it knows to "learn" the new battery. The first battery on the car, I can understand it dying, if it was built almost a year ago and sat on the dealer lot, for example. What is the build date for your Taurus? you can check it out with the VIN at https://www.etis.ford.com Basically, the car should have a 500, it has a 590......more than likely the difference in configuration messes with the onboard diagnostics sending false positives. I've got nothing but green health reports back when I've run them. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
head4trauma Posted July 30, 2016 Author Share Posted July 30, 2016 Did you not get any help on the Taurus forum? Uh, no. Didn't check. I have a Fusion SE. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
head4trauma Posted July 30, 2016 Author Share Posted July 30, 2016 Should not need to update as-built data for an increase in CCAs. The Battery Management System does typically need to be reset every time a new battery is plugged in so it knows to "learn" the new battery. The first battery on the car, I can understand it dying, if it was built almost a year ago and sat on the dealer lot, for example. What is the build date for your Taurus? you can check it out with the VIN at https://www.etis.ford.com Well, it's a Fusion. I checked the VIN awhile back. It was in Oct of 15. Everything is perfectly fine now. Not exactly sure, but it turned out to be the battery and a module in combination. Replaced...done. In fact, I was wondering why some things stayed on beforehand.....but a brand new car with 80 miles at the time, and no being familiar, thought it was normal for the car. Nope. After 45 minutes at the dealership, it was done, no issues so far. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Do you know which module? The BCM? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
head4trauma Posted July 31, 2016 Author Share Posted July 31, 2016 I'm not even sure. I know computers, but not cars, that well. But that's the area that is fuzzy for me. I didn't hear it mentioned. I'll see if I can find out though. No issues at all now. Power was being bled from recharging the battery. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
head4trauma Posted July 31, 2016 Author Share Posted July 31, 2016 After some looking, it may have been the PCM. The harness they pointed out is by the battery. Could be wrong. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 I would suspect the BCM, but the PCM is also possible. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
head4trauma Posted July 31, 2016 Author Share Posted July 31, 2016 That makes sense too. Actually, more sense. So yeah......but it's fixed. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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